Horse Conformation Conundrums
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
October 1, 2010
Be it for racing, reining, or riding, a horse needs to be put together properly; but does a horse need to be put together perfectly?
Be it for racing, reining, or riding, a horse needs to be put together properly; but does a horse need to be put together perfectly?
No matter the breed or discipline, good conformation of the hind legs will contribute to more successful performance and a better ride. We want a horse to have excellent rear leg conformation so that it can tolerate the demands placed on it.
Learn how your horse’s anatomy works with our complete anatomy and physiology guide, including basic terminology, skin, forelimbs, hindlimbs, feet/hooves, head and neck, tendons/ligaments, muscles, digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
Subluxation (partial dislocation) of the coxofemoral joint between the femur and pelvis in horses is rare; only two cases have been reported in the literature. However, six cases were seen at the University of California, Davis, in a three-year
The stifle joint is often implicated in cases of lameness, but it can be a notoriously tough joint to image. Radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan), and diagnostic arthrography (joint evaluation) all can be used, but they
My Thoroughbred’s stifles have been making a popping noise for quite some time.
Want to know how your horse’s body works? Find out in The Horse’s 12-part Anatomy and Physiology series.
Will physical therapy help my horse become more supple, or can I have the scar tissue removed surgically?
My mare suffered a pelvic fracture five months ago. What timeframe can I expect for starting light exercise?
The horse is an amazing athlete, with great speed and endurance considering his body size and weight. For the past 20 years, researchers have evaluated what makes the equine locomotive system so efficient for racing and other strenuous
The monitoring committee for the Sales Integrity Program is taking action to address some consignors’ concerns about how the Thoroughbred auction industry will handle the disclosure of invasive joint surgeries and other procedures designed to
My 29-year-old Quarter Horse gelding has been diagnosed with a condition that my veterinarian called “stringhalt.” What causes this condition? What is the treatment and prognosis?
Bog and bone spavin don’t necessarily have to end your horse’s performance career, but they certainly require careful attention and care.
Named for the sport in which it often occurs, hunter’s (or jumper’s) bump is a sometimes painful pelvic condition that affects performance and gait.
The mechanical engineering involved in the structuring of equine joints is both complex and masterful. Not only do healthy joints allow the horse to move freely, but they also help to effectively absorb concussion, especially when the horse is
This month we shall begin a discussion of the rear leg: conformation, function, problems. There is at least one good reason to start with the rear rather than the foreleg. It seems to be the case that as man selects certain animals to breed to
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