unsoundnesses - university of tennessee extension · unsoundnesses equine conformation part ii:...
TRANSCRIPT
Unsoundnesses
Equine Conformation Part II: Skeletal Structure
Words of Wisdom
A horse must have structurally correct legsto be a performance athleteWithout good hooves there would be no horse
Most Common Unsoundnesses
Bowed Tendons - tearing flexor tendonsusually in front, low weak pasterns, deep surface
Splints - pulled metacarpal ligamentCa deposits on upper cannon bone - offset knees
Navicular - erosion of distal sesamoid in heeloften steep pasterns, small foot, contracted heels
Laminitis - chronic founder, damaged laminaeoften obesity, over eating, concussion
Spavins - hock problems, posty or sickle hocked
Definitions
UnsoundnessAny deviation in structure or function that interferes with a horse's intended use or performance
BlemishesAbnormalities which do not affect the intended use of the horse
Definitions continued
Serviceably SoundStructural problems/deviations which may have only limited affect on the horse's ability to perform
Unsoundnesses of the Foreleg
carpal chips (big knees)splintsbowed tendonssore suspensoryligamentsesamoid injuryringbone
Unsoundnesses of the Rear Leg
stifle lockthoroughpinscapped hockspavins
bogblood bone
curb
Unsoundnesses of the Foot
ringbonenavicularlaminitissidebonecracks - quarter, sandbruised solesthrush, abscesses, punctures, gravel
Front legs: Front view
Forelimbs bear ~ 65% of horses weight
Due to amount of weight on the front leg, injuries can result from trauma and concussion
Front legs
Need proper bone length and angleWidth of toes on ground = width of origin in chestCannon bone should be centered on knee and fetlock
Deviations: Front view
“pigeon-toed” = toes pointed in"splay-footed“ = toes pointed out
Deviations: Front view
Base narrowHorse stands closer at ground than at origin of legs in the chestToed in or toed outTypical of horses with large muscle mass
Deviations: Base Narrow
Predisposed to landing on outside of hoof walls = Extra weight on outside of hoof causing
Ring bone: bony enlargement of surrounding bones of pastern Side bone: ossification of lateral cartilage (Ca accumulation) Heel bruising
Base Narrow
Deviations: Front View
Base wide: Conformation positions horse's feet wider at ground than at their origin in chest
Usually accompanied by feet that are toed-outNarrow chested horses
Weight on inside of hoof leading to ring bone and side bone
Deviations Base Wide
Deviations: Front View
BowlegsPresents entire knee in an outward deviationIncreases tension on outside of leg
Knocked-kneed/ Close kneed
Entire knee set to inside of straight line from chest to toeGenerally with toed-out
Deviations: Front view
Bench-kneesCannon bones set too far to the outside of kneeIncrease possibility of splints: bony enlargement in groove formed by splint and cannon bone
Front legs: Side view
Front column of bones = appropriate slope and angle of shoulderCorrect line from center of scapula to front edge of knee and bisects hoof
Deviations: Side View“Camped under”
Forelimb is too far under bodyPrevents long, fluid stridePredisposes to unsoundness
> Pressure on ligaments and tendons
Deviations: Side View
“Camped Out”Forelimb too far forward and away from body> Concussion and stress on knees, ankles, and hoovesOften associated with laminitis: inflammation of laminae in hoof wall; rotation of coffin bone
Acute, painful, hot laminae
Deviations: Side View“Camped Out”
Predisposed to laminitis: Inflammation of laminae in hoof wall; rotation of coffin bone
Other causes of laminitis besides “camped out”
– Nutritional = overeating– Grass foundered = lush
pasture– Infections– Road founder =
concussion in trailer over time
Deviations: Side View
“Camped Out”Predisposes to navicular disease: Degeneration or roughening of distal sesmoid bone = fluid loss
Soreness in heels
Deviations: Side View
Other causes of Navicular
Small feetTrimmingMore vertical in pasterns
Deviations: Side View“Over-at-the-knees/buck-kneed”
Knee set too far forward in relation to legTypically capable of long performance life
“Back-at-the-knees/calf-kneed"
Knees back behind the vertical of legExtremely serious (knees hyper-extend)
Deviations Front or Side View
PasternsIdeal pastern is moderate in lengthAngles ~ 45 degrees in front and 50 degrees in back short, steep pasterns = not normal "cushion" found in ideal horse
get a rough, choppy strideGreater frequency for lameness due to concussion of entire front column or bones
Too long pasterns = weak, injure ankles, tendons and ligaments
Rear Legs: Back View
Line from buttocks to ground: bisect gaskin, hock, and hoof gives = distribution to decrease strain on legs
Deviations of the Rear Leg
Cow hocked: Bowed in at hocks and cannon bone
Hocks set too close together, feet widely separatedTend to be weak in work off of haunches (i.e. stopping, turning, sliding)
Deviations of the Rear LegSickle-hocked: too much of an angle in the hock joint
Predisposed to curbs: Enlargement below point of hock (ligaments, tendon sheath, skin)
Post-legged: too straight in back
Predisposed to stifled: upward fixation of patellaPredisposed to spavins:
Deviations of the Rear Leg
Bowlegged: toed-in behind
Hocks too far apartUsually poor athletes
Rear Legs: Side View
Line from buttocks to ground: touches hocks, is parallel to cannon bone and is slightly behind heel
Balance & Soundness