Poor conformation faults
A horse with poor conformation may be suitable for one job but not another.
A show pony would need perfect conformation to compete at a high level.
If you were hunting a horse for several hours, a comfy ride would be of more importance than perfect conformation.
Severe parrot mouth
Parrot mouth
The upper teeth are protruding over the lower teeth. This is called a parrot mouth.
If the lower teeth protrude from the upper teeth, it is called an undershot jaw or sow mouthed.
Both conformation faults affect the ability to bite food such as grass but not the ability to chew.
Ewe-neck
The term ewe-neck is when the horse has a high head carriage and its top line is concave.
Some horses with ewe-necks often have a big bulge of muscle underneath the neck.
A narrow chest gives the impression that both front-legs are coming out of the same hole.
If the horse is too narrow in front he will move close in front with the likely hood of brushing.
To protect the horse, brushing boots should be used at all times.
Split up behind
A horse that is “split up behind” when viewed from the rear, means a poorly developed upper thigh.
Cow hocks
When viewed from behind, if the hocks turn in towards each other and the feet turn out, the horse is said to have cow hocks.
This poor conformation creates a weakness.
Bowed hocks
When viewed from behind if the hocks are wide apart and the toes turn in, it is called bowed hocks.
The foot is also likely to screw as it places it down on the ground.
Sickle hocked.
When viewed from the side and there is a more acute angle to the hocks or the hock and fetlock is slightly in front of the imaginary line, which should be a straight line from the point of buttock to the centre of the hock, cannon bone, fetlock joint and so to the ground.
The horse is said to be sickle hocked.
A horse with straight hocks is more liable to strain, and a young horse could suffer from a slipped stifle joint.
As the young horse matures the muscles and ligaments strengthen and usually rectify themselves.
Owning horse is a big responsibility, so when it comes to buying one if you are a beginner , take along somebody with a good eye.
What is conformation?
Correct conformation
Conformation for different jobs
Foreleg conformation
Conformation - reflective actions
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