Short Conformation And Unsoundness

CONFORMATION – C2 Instructor’s Guide

Part I – Introduction to Conformation Front Legs Front legs carry 55 percent of his weight when standing still Do not pull him forward, but reach out and carry his weight and absorb concussion at every stride. (CMS 22) Front Legs Side View CMS 23

Front Legs Front View CMS 24

GOOD POINTS • vertical line (plumb line) should drop straight down from the center of the shoulder blade, down the middle of the leg, to the fetlock joint • half the leg should be in front of the plumb line and half behind it

• straight and parallel • not too close together or too wide apart • vertical line running straight down from the point of the shoulder, should pass through the middle of forearm, knee, cannon bone, fetlock joint, pastern and foot. • good conformation lines the bones up properly and makes each leg move straight • helps distribute concussion evenly as each foot hits the ground.

BAD POINTS Standing under: most of the foreleg is behind the plumb line; the leg is too far back under the horse. Puts the horse’s balance too far forward. Camped out in front: most of the foreleg is in front of the plumb line; the leg is out in front of the horse. Puts more strain on the legs. Over at the knee (knee sprung): the knee is always slightly bent which puts the lower leg too far back under the horse. May be result of contracted tendons but tendons in this conformation are under less strain (KYH 34) Back at the knee (calf knees): knee has a slight backward bend, with the cannon bone slanting forward. Puts extra stress on the flexor tendons and the fetlock joints and especially on the bones of the knee (carpal bones). Indicates weakness in tendons (KYH 34) Weak forearm: denotes lack of muscle and can also indicate weakness of the related tendons.(KYH 33) Base narrow: legs are closer together at the feet than they are at the chest (inside the plumb line). Feet too close together, so it is easier for horse to interfere. Puts more weight and concussion on the outsides of the feet and legs. Base wide: legs are wider apart at the feet than they are at the chest outside the plumb line. Conformation often goes with a narrow chest. Puts more weight and concussion on the inside of the feet and legs and may lead to ringbone. Knock knees: knees that bend inwards so that the knees are inside the plumb line. Extra stress on the knees and on the inside of the legs. Prone to develop splints. Bowed knees: knees that bend outward so that knees are outside Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 1

GOOD POINTS

BAD POINTS plumb line. Extra stress on knees and on the outside of the legs. Weaker than straight legs. Bench knees (offset knees): cannon bones do not line up exactly with the center of the knees, but are set slightly to the outside. Outside of the knee gets better support and there is extra weight and stress on the inside of the lower leg. Often leads to splints on inside of cannon bone. Toeing out (splay footed): toes point out instead of straight ahead. Makes foot swing in towards the opposite leg (winging in). May result in interfereing/lameness. Causes uneven weight and concussion on the insides of feet and legs which may lead to ringbone. Toeing in (pigeon toed): toes point in instead of straight ahead. makes foot swing outward (paddling). Does not cause interference andis less likely to cause lameness than winging in but does put uneven weight and strain on the outsides of the feet and legs which could lead to ringbone.

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 2

Hind legs Pushing power comes from hind legs. Must reach forward under the horse’s body (engagement) at every stride  ground covering pushing power. Hindlegs help balance in collected gaits and in stopping, turning and transitions. Good conformation gives more strength, power and better balance. Hind Leg Side View CMS 26

Hind Leg Rear View CMS 28

GOOD POINTS • cannon bones should be vertical • plumb line from point of buttock should run down the back of his hock and back of his leg all the way to the fetlock joint. • thighs should be long and well muscled – not a lot of daylight between them when viewed from behind (KYH 38)

• not too close or too wide • stifles must point out a little so the horse can swing hind legs forward without hitting belly • hocks and lower legs should be parallel and straight up and down • hind legs must not be too close or too wide apart

BAD POINTS Camped out behind: hind leg is behind plumb line from point of buttock. Harder for horse to engage his hind legs. Weaker than correctly set leg. Standing under (sickle hocks): hock is slightly bent (shape of farmer’s sickle) and the hind legs are in front of the plumb line. Puts hind legs forward under the horse but puts stress on the hocks. May develop curbs, thoroughpins, bog spavins and bone spavins. Leg too straight (post leg): hind leg is too straight in the hock and stifle joints. Whole leg is set in front of the plumb line from the point of the buttock. Easy to swing the leg forward without bending it much. Put more stress on hind leg, especially hock and pasterns. Cow hocks: hocks point in toward each other, with the cannon bones slanting outward. Weakness puts extra stress on inside of hocks Bowed hocks: hock point outward with cannon bones slanting inward. Go with base narrow conformation. Extra stress on hocks and on outside of foot and leg. Too wide: hind legs appear straight but are too far apart. Goes with base wide conformation. Hard for horse to reach well forward with hind legs  shorter stride Too narrow: hind legs are closet together often lack good muscle development which makes them weaker. Easy for a horse to interfere.

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 3

Lower Leg and Joints Lower Leg and Joint CMS 29

GOOD POINTS • joints should be clean (free of thickness or swelling and bones tendons and other structures stand out clearly and are easy to see and feel) • cannon bones: fairly short, clean, strong and well developed tendons. • “Bone” refers to measurement around the leg below the knee and incorporates both the bone and the tendons. 8 to 9 inches is estimate of good bone. • knees and hocks: wide, flat and clean with clearly defined bones. • hocks: wider when viewed from side than front (MH 414)

BAD POINTS Small round joints: weaker and more easily injured. Tendons tied in below the knee: tendons are small, narrow and poorly developed look “squeezed in” just below the knee (as if band were tied around the leg)  weakness Pasterns too long and sloping: easily injured. Put more stress on the tendons which can contribute to bowed tendons. Pasterns too short and steep: do not absorb shock. Rough gaits and transmit more concussion to the foot and rest of leg. Curby hocks: small hocks that are liable to get curbs (NZ2 138)

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 4

• pasterns: enough angle to absorb shock. Front pasterns usually a little more sloping than hind pasterns. Foot Carry weight and absorb shock with each step. Foot expands when horse steps down on it  helps absorb shock. Pressure on frog helps pump blood through the hoof and back up the leg with very step. GOOD POINTS Foot • large and strong • wide well developed heels and prominent bars CMS 30 • frog: large and touch ground (on soft ground) • sole: arched or concave • walls: strong and smooth

BAD POINTS Too small feet: receive more concussion especially to the navicular bone and coffin bone since there is less are to absorb shock. Contracted heels: heel is very narrow, frog is pinched in and small and does not touch ground. Caused by foot problems like navicular disease or poor trimming and shoeing. Can be helped by good shoeing. Contracted hoof (one hoof smaller than the other): may indicate horse has been keeping weight off that foot for long period of time. Sign of navicular disease or another long-term lameness of the foot. Flat soles: weight is carried on sole instead of wall  feet tender. Dropped sole can be result of laminitis, or founder (coffin bone rotates and drops down). Shelly feet: thin brittle walls that crack and break off easily. Tender feet and hard to keep shoes on. Foundered feet: dropped soles, separation of the wall from sole at toe and irregular wavy rings on outside wall of hoof. May walk on heels with toes grown long and upwards. Low heels: conformation fault or excessive wear and neglect of foot trimming or poor horse shoeing. Extra stress on deep digital flexor tendon (especially with long toes) Splay footed (turned out): affects movement  winging in (CMS 25)

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 5

Part IV – Unsoundness Purpose 1. Know the definition of the term unsoundness 2. Know the names of two unsoundnesses of wind 3. Begin to learn advanced terminology relating to unsoundness Teaching Suggestions 1. Review terminology enough that students will make sense of the descriptions of unsoundness but they will learn these terms in greater detail in further levels. For that reason the student guide includes the definitions of these terms. 2. NOTE WELL: If students have been studying individually they may have become confused by the different “groupings” in the various reference materials – each is slightly different. In the past “bursal” and “bony” were used to describe virtually all unsoundesses. New editions of and additions to the reading lists have made the designation of unsoundness’ into clear-cut groups difficult. 3. The confusion about grouping is best overcome by ensuring the students have (1) a clear understanding of terminology (example “bursal” and “bony”) and (2) an understanding of the structures involved in different unsoundness’. With these tools, students will be able to understand the reference materials and will be able to group unsoundness’ in any way they may be requested. Be sure to focus on this. Unsoundness Unsoundness USC 324

Blemish USC 324 Unsoundness of wind Wind MH 371

Whistling and Roaring MH 372

Description • condition or injury which causes lameness or otherwise impairs the horse’s health or ability to work. • All lamenesses are also unsoundness’ (because they make the horse “unsound”). • An unsoundness may change to a blemish once the horse becomes sound. (CMS– 49, 54) • some unsoundnesses may make a horse unfit for strenuous work but may not bother him for easier work (USC 325) Causes • some unsoundnesses are a result of injury • some result from a conformation fault which creates a weakness at a certain point Description • unsightly but don’t keep the horse from working • examples: lumps or scars Description • condition of the horses respiratory system that results in difficulty breathing • unsoundness of wind may impair the horse’s ability to perform Note about breathing noise • horses often makes noise on expiration (breathing out) • unfit horses will sometimes make noise while breathing but it will stop with improved fitness Description • Whistling: high pitched noise during inspiration (horse breathing in) • Roaring: lower pitched noise Cause • may be partial obstruction of the airway

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 6

• impaired movement in one of the vocal cords Treatment • partial or complete paralysis can sometimes be treated using the “hobday operation” which removes the sac adjacent to the vocal cord and the • “tie back operation” which holds the vocal cord in a fixed position so it will not vibrate or fall into the airway • the two operations are usually both done together Unsoundness of limb Terminology Term Definition Bursae Description • sacs lined with synovial membrane and filled with synovial fluid • found over bony prominences and facilitate movement of tendons or muscles over the bony protrusion (VN – 206) True Bursae • occur at standard anatomical locations and are present in all horses • they may become enlarged and/or inflamed resulting in swelling with or without pain and lameness Acquired/False Bursae • synovia-filled sacs which develop as a result of repetitive low-grade trauma • usually result in a cosmetic blemish but rarely cause lameness • over time they may become increasingly firm and fibrous Articular Description • where two bones meet (such as a joint) • it may occur in a sentence such as “cartilage is present at the articular surfaces of the carpals.” This means that cartilage is found at the areas where the knee bones meet Joint Capsule • a capsule surrounding the joint. Inside the joint is a synovial membrane and synovial fluid. (VN – 172) Bony • an enlargement which is made of bone. The bone can be added through either ossification of exostosis Ossification • cartilage is converted to bone (e.g., sidebone) Occult • a bone spavin occurring within the joint (between the bones) where no bony enlargement is visible Arthritis • cartilage between the bones breaks down -- > inflammation of the synovial membrane occurs  further cartilage damage • Bony changes occur later and are a response to what is primarily a disease of cartilage. • The lower limb joint (knee, fetlock, hock pastern and coffin joints) are more susceptible (VN – 176) Common Unsoundnesses

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 7

Splint USC 325

Description • bony lumps that develop between the splint bones and cannon bones • ligament that attaches splint bone to cannon bone becomes sore  build up of calcium (new bone) welds splint bone to cannon bone Cause  anything that injures the splint bone • carrying heavy weight • striking one leg against the other • making tight circles • jumping • working on hard ground • conformation causing splint bones carrying extra weight  bench knees Symptoms • hot and painful when it first happens • with rest most become painless  old healed splints generally considered blemishes Prevention • avoid hard work with young horse before it has matured

Bowed Tendon USC 326

Description • when a tendon is stretched too far (commonly the flexor tendons of the fore leg) • some tendon fibres are torn causing pain, heat and swelling • scar tissue forms creating a thickening “bow” in the tendon • may be described as “high bow” or “low bow” depending on if it is closer to the knee or the fetlock joint Causes • accident or slip when horse is overtired • conformation that puts more strain on the tendons  back at the knee, long sloping pasterns, long toes and low heels, weak “tied in” tendons Symptoms • extremely painful when first happens • with time lameness may disappear but leg may never be as strong as before Prevention • be considerate of the tired horse to avoid slips and falls

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 8

Navicular Disease USC 327

Ringbone USC 327

Description • the deep flexor tendon passes under the navicular bone and attaches to the underside of the coffin bone • navicular bursa protects the navicular bone where the tendon passes under it • inflammation and soreness of the navicular bursa, navicular bone or end of the tendon • more common in middle aged horses Causes • conformation that promotes concussion  e.g., steep shoulder/pasterns • poor hoof conformation  small feet, narrow heels, upright pasterns, long toes and low heels Symptoms • starts as mild lameness that comes and goes  may disappear when horse is warmed up • as bone and tendon become inflamed and roughened  lameness more severe and continuous • heels hurt so horse tries to walk on toes giving a short tiptoe gait that may make him stumble Treatment • right kind of shoeing and medication offers some relief Description • bony lump on the pastern bones • if not near a joint horse will become sound with rest High Ringbone • arthritis in the joint between the two pastern bones • bones may fuse together and horse may become sound Low Ringbone • bony growth between the end of the pastern bone and the coffin bone (inside the hoof) • usually more serious and horse usually becomes permanently lame Cause • too much concussion  conformation such as upright pasterns • uneven weight bearing on the foot and leg  crooked leg conformation

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 9

Sidebone USC 328

Curb USC 329

Description • lateral cartilages of the coffin bone turn to bone • slow process and does not usually cause lameness unless the sidebones are very large or one gets broken • you can feel the lateral cartilages by pressing just above the bulbs of the heel and the sides of hoof just above the coronary band  in young horse they feel springy • in horse with sidebone they feel hard • not usually considered an unsoundness unless it causes lameness Cause • concussion  large heavy horses with big feet and straight pasterns

Description • sprain of the plantar ligament (runs down the back of the hock) • thickening at the lower end of the hock joint • usually causes lameness • takes a long time to heal Cause • extra strain on the back of the hock • conformation that makes hocks weak and puts more strain on the ligament  sickle hocks or horses standing under

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 10

Bone Spavin USC 330

Bog Spavin USC 330

Description • arthritis in the form of bone spurs on the edges of the small bones of the hock • lower bones of hock fit closely together with little movement between them  if the bone growth fuses bones together, pain decrease and horse may become sound • upper bones of hock  hock cannot move properly  permanent lameness Symptom • painful and cause lameness • hard swelling low down on the inside of the hock joint Cause • conformation putting extra strain on hocks  cow hocks, bowed hocks and very straight hocks Description • soft swelling on the font of the hock • usually not hot or painful  seldom causes lameness • usually considered a blemish not an unsoundness but does show the hocks are under stress Cause • having a horse’s hocks under stress but not enough to make him lame • joint makes too much joint (synovial fluid)  joint capsule becomes enlarged and full of fluid • usually gets larger after work and may shrink after rest • conformation  straight hocks or weak hock conformation doing hard work

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 11

Thoroughpin USC 331

Description • soft cool swelling in upper part of hock • sign of stress but doesn’t usually cause lameness Cause • stress or strain on a weak hock • tendon sheath produces extra fluid an stretches

Part V – Movement Problems Purpose 1. Know the common types of faulty movement Teaching Suggestions 1. Some of the movement faults are commonly confused (forging and over-reaching being one such confusion). Be sure students understand the difference. 2. Come up with away of remembering. For example a “forge” is used when doing farrier work and “forging” often involves the sound of shoes clicking on each other. Faulty Movement Lameness USC 332 Stumbling USC 332

Interfering USC 332

Description • a sign of pain or a serious problem in a leg Description • momentary accident from poor footing or getting off balance • stumbling often is a dangerous problem Cause • sore feet (navicular disease), arthritis, poor balance, neglecting shoeing, poor trimming Action • veterinarian and farrier check • do not ride until problem has been evaluated and treated Description • Brushing: striking opposite leg • Speedicuting: cutting the opposite knee or hock • horse strikes one leg against the other • can cause cuts and bruises • can lead to splints Cause • toe out conformation  leg wings in during movement • base narrow  legs too close together • doing lateral work or longeing • more likely when tired Prevention/treatment • special shoeing • wear protective boots Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 12

Plaiting USC 332

Forging USC 332

Over-reaching USC 334

Description • horse places one leg in front of the other  walking on a tightrope • may lead to interfering or stumbling Cause • base narrow conformation Prevention/treatment • corrective shoeing • wear boots to protect legs Description • horse hits a front foot with toe of hind foot • usually occurs at trot Cause • tiredness or moving on the forehand • toes too long • very short back and long legs Prevention/treatment • corrective shoeing • riding in good balance Description • toe of hind foot grabs the hell of the front foot  injury • can result in shoe being pulled off • “high over-reach”  injury to pastern or tendon (“Strikes” MH 363) Cause • galloping or jumping in deep or muddy footing • same causes as for forging Prevention/treatment • bell boots to protect horses heels • galloping boots or exercise bandages to protect from high over-reaches • good shoeing can help

Abbreviated Conformation and Unsoundness (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 13