HIGHLAND PONY SOCIETYSTUDY DAY

9TH NOVEMBER 2013Jane Nixon MRCVS

Conformation

Breeding & Performance

We will discuss togetherpony evolution

resultant structure and function

conformation and performancespecific conformation problems

how to avoid problems

The Horse

Some pertinent evolutionary factsIt is a• Herd animal• Galloping animal

– Chased ‘prey’ species. Fright Flight (not fight!)• Defender rather than an aggressor• Single limb bone column: on Tip Toe

– Pedal bone in horn capsule, the hoof

• Grazer so requiring– large head– long neck– capacious digestive system

• Four legged, one at each corner, with– no collar bone– powerful hindquarters

The HorseAs a prey animal the wild horse had to be• Readily aware• Quick off the mark• Agile, fast and balanced in asymmetric gaits• Quick to return to grazing composure

As a domesticated horse the• Fright and Flight had to be trained (converted) into• Alertness• Responsiveness to aids, (biddable)• Capable in all gaits (increasing speed and agility)• Not stressed under saddle• Fit to do and to recover

Structure & Function

80% of propulsion comes from the hindquarters• Hamstring and pelvic muscle power• Top line muscle power to lift forequarter “come

up in front”• Good shoulder / pastern line• Saddle room for shoulder blade sweepAlways view from both sides

Growth to maturity is judged by final height at withers

• Brisket, ribs, vertebrae & dorsal processes later• Limb bones to elbow close around 2 years

• This age of this varies with breed

• Ponies usually earlier than warm bloods

The Horse’s outline - Points are those of the skeleton

• The surface areas – the jargonese description or name of the various parts• The “points”

– The landmarks at protruding parts of bones usually at a joint– Visible and palpable– Obesity does not hide the points

The skeletal top line and the bird’s eye views show areas of bone available for optimal muscle attachment. i.e.

• Flat of ribs• Side of dorsal processes• Lateral processes of lumbars• Flat of upper hind limb bones

– Ham string and thigh muscles “size”

Fore Quarters Hind Quarters

No collar bone Bony Attachments

Conformation > Soundness, ability, durability

• Based on underlying, genetically determined skeletal framework (eg Skeletal “top line”)

• Unalterable after maturity

• Can only be ‘managed’ by breeding

Conformation and performance

BALANCE IS PARAMOUNT

CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS

• Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance–Unbalanced

AT MATURITY

Balanced fore quarter Balanced Hindquarter

A balanced horse at grass

Able to graze without compromise of forelegs

Dynamic balance

• ALL horses and ponies in order to• Survive and evolve• Whatever their discipline• Must have conformation that allows the horse

or pony to maintain dynamic , as well as static, balance & allow the rider empathy

• Our recent gold medals reflects the increased understanding and promotion of this basic principle

Dynamic balance

• Must start at DAY 1and continue throughout the horse or pony’s life

Optimising performance

• Conformation to perform

• Body weight and breeding

• Manageable variables

THE NECK AND TORSO

• Aim for the lightness of the forehand

• If the neck comes out of the top of the shoulders

• → easy to carry head and neck with supple topline

• Neck pain may cause forelimb lameness

The neck and torso

• LOW SET NECK

• NECK NEEDS TO BE LIFTED TO COME OFF THE FOREHAND

• → BACK STIFFNESS

CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS • Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance

– Unbalanced

NECK• Crest fat laminitis

• Hollow in front of withers – dorsal spinal ligament – weak build

up ventral muscles

LONG BACK – More Flexible →SI Disease

ROACH BACK - Unsightly but not usually a problem

SHORT BACK – Kissing Spines

“SLACK LOINS” → SI disease

SHALLOW GIRTH

POOR LUNG CAPACITY

THE FORELEGS

• MAINTENANCE OF RHYTHM IN ALL PACES IS FUNDAMENTAL

• LONGER LEGS →

• i GREATER VARIETY IN STRIDE LENGTH

• ii EXTEND MORE EASILY WITHOUT RAISING FREQUENCY OF STRIDE

CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS

SHOULDERS Breed susceptibility to

• overloading laminitis poor saddle fit

Asymmetrical scapular cartilage difficult to fit saddle

Too upright

• ALL rotational and angular limb deformities out 8/10 rule

• Overdeveloped muscles indicate lameness behind

The Competition Horse conformational faults

NORMAL

BACK AT THE KNEE

Back at the Knee

Normal

BACK AT THE KNEE

BACK AT THE KNEE

FAULTS PREDISPOSING TO SPLINTS

Offset Knees Bow Legs Knocked Knees

CONFORMATION FAULTS THE FEET

• SLIGHTLY ODD FRONT FEET

• ESPECIALLY HEEL DEPTH

• NO HEEL SUPPORT

• WEAK HOOF CAPSULES

• SIGN OF LAMINITIS

• UNEVEN HEEL DEPTH → Uneven scapular height → Asymmetrical Shoulders re: saddle fit

THE HINDQUARTERS

• The flatter the pelvis • → More muscle• → Greater strength and flexibility

• STRAIGHT HIND LEGS → Unable to come under the horse

• ACUTE HOCK ANGLE → Less able to carry weight

• TARSAL VALGUS → Risk of Pelvic fractures

Quarters width should be parallel with thighs

HINDLEG

The Competition Horse conformational faults

NORMAL HOCK

HINDLEG CONFORMATION FAULTS

Straight Hocks

PREDISPOSED TO HIGH SUSPENSION DISMITIS

AS SEEN IN ANDULASIAN AND PASAFINOS

HOCK CONFORMATION

Cow HocksPre-dispose to

Pelvic Fractures

Sickle HocksPre-dispose to

Curbs

CURBANATOMY APPEARANCE

DEFINITION OF A CURB

• COMPLEX OF SOFT TISSUE INJURIES ON BACK OF THE HOCK JOINTS

• CONFORMATIONAL BONY ABNORMALITIES AND/OR INJURIES MAY MIMIC AND CONTRIBUTE EVENTUALLY TO CURB FORMATION

• CAUSING UNDER PERFORMANCE AND LAMENESS

PASTERNS

• SLOPING

• → OVEREXTENDED FETLOCK

• → STRAIN UP THE WHOLE OF THE BACK OF THE LEG TO THE PELVIS AND BACK

• UPRIGHT

• → JARRING OF JOINTS ESPECIALLY FETLOCK → ARTICULAR AND TENDINOUS WINDGALLS

DISCIPLINE INDUCED ORTHAPAEDIC RISK (AHT 2006)

• S.J. ↑ INJURY SOFT BELOW FETLOCK) REPEATED STRAIN ON• SOFT FORELEGS ) LANDING OVER HIGH• FENCES

• DRESSAGE ↑ HINDLEG HIGH SUSPENSORY ) EXTRAVAGANT• DESMITIS ) MOVEMENT

AND• ) COLLECTION

• GOOD CONFORMATION WILL DECREASE THE RISK

Conclusion

The good Competition Horse should

– Be well balanced

– “Fill the eye”

– Have conformation that gives the appearance of balance and comfort

– To allow him to express the will and do the job required

Optimising performance

• Conformation to perform

• Body weight and breeding

• Manageable variables

“ANIMAL LOVERS UNABLE TO RECOGNISE PORTLY EQUINES”

WORLD HORSE WELFARE CHARITY POLL

i) 50% could not recognise pictures of overweight horses and many did not view condition as a welfare threat

ii) Thin horses often the correct weight, but looked thin compared to overweight field companions

VETERINARY TIMES JANUARY 25TH 2010

JUDGES: Go National Hunt racing to see fit horses

LAMINITIS

• LAMINITIS

– CAN START IN UTERO

– CAN AFFECT THE THIN PREVIOUSLY OBESE HORSE

– BUT THE SIGNS ARE OBVIOUS

• LAMINITIS

• Laminae – Site

• It is – Inflammation

THE SIGNSOBESITY

NECK CREST FAT

TAIL HEAD FAT

• HORSE WITH GOOD CONFORMATION WILL/SHOULD

• BE EXHIBITED IN CONDITION SUITABLE FOR JOB IN HAND

• THOSE HORSES WITH WEAK CONFORMATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE EXHIBITED TOO FAT IN ORDER TO HIDE FAULTS

• I.E FAT HORSE IS INDICATION OF CONFORMATION PROBLEM

JUDGES• ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE CORRECT BODY WEIGHT

TO PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS BUT MUST REMAIN VIGILANT

• THE OVERWEIGHT HORSE WILL OVERLOAD JOINTS ESPECIALLY ON HARD GROUND

• ↓ ABILITY TO GALLOP ESPECIALLY IN CHAMPIONSHIPS

• BE PREDISPOSED TO LAMINITIS

Manageable variables

• Dental arcade• Feet balance• Attention to detail from day1

THE FEETThe hoof wall is modified skin (epidermis) thus

• It is constantly growing down from the coronary band

• Coincidentally worn down or trimmed

• The whole hoof as judged at weight bearing should be balanced front to back, side to side, to give level foot fall

• Should be trimmed to conformation of the individual limb

• It is subject to distortion by torque from action due to poor conformation and/or foot balance

MEDIO- LATERAL INBALANCE

LEFT FORE FROM BEHIND

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

Well balanced foot Unbalanced foot

How to assess foot balance, left and right handed farriers

HIND FEET BALANCE

• MORE IMPORTANT THAN FORELEGS BECAUSE HIND LIMBS ATTACHED TO AXIAL SKELETON AT SI JOINT

• LONG TOE/LOW HEEL → SLOWS BREAKOVER → PELVIC PAIN

• MEDIO LATERAL INBALANCE

• → HIND LIMB TORQUE

• → PELVIC ASYMETRY

• → BACK PAIN

A P HOOF BALANCE

• A P = antero postero =front to back

Back at the kneepredisposes to check ligament strain &

inflammation of the knee joints

Management back at the knee & curbs

• Reduce load ie body weight• Keep toes short and reduce shoeing interval• Extra length at heels for support• Graduated shoes , not calkins• No studs or road nails

Manageable variables• Dental arcade

• Feet balance

• Attention to detail from day1

Attention to detail from day!Producer/Farrier/Vet/Nutritionist

Thank you•

• Any questions please?

• Or please do not• hesitate to ring • 07713342416 or• Email jane@nixonequinevetconsultancy.com

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