Horse Type and Disciplines

Why does conformation vary among horse disciplines

selective breeding produces conformation variations that help horses preform specific/desired activities

what type of back is ideal for carrying a rider

a short, strong back with strong coupling and well-developed topline musculature

what is a short back associated with

a strong coupling

what must a horse be able to do in order to carry a rider

raise his back → proper muscling is needed

what makes it easier for a horse to raise its back while carrying a rider

strong withers, strong loins, a flexible neck and croup

how does neck flexion help raise a horse’s back

neck flexion pulls the withers forward, elevating the ligaments along the back

what is collection

horse raises its back and engages its hindlimb farther underneath the abdomen for deeper drive

what is the opposite of collection

a hollowed-out back with reduced hindlimb engagement

what other muscles also engage when a horse collects

abdominal muscles

What are well-sprung ribs

ribs extend almost perpendicular to the thoracic vertebrae before curving downward

Why are well-sprung ribs important

provides increased lung capacity and help support the rider

why is a narrow, peak-roof back undesirable for riding

provides poor rider support and the saddle may be wider than the horse’s back

What problems can occur with a very wide back and flat withers

• poor saddle stability and support

• saddle may slide forward or sideways and cause rubbing

What is the center of gravity also called

Point of balance

What is the horses center of gravity

the point that stays relatively still during movement, allowing the rider to stay in rhythm

why is the center of gravity positioned closer to the horse’s front end

horses naturally carry more weight on their forelimbs

How is the center of gravity located according to the PowerPoint

Intersection of a vertical line for T7 and a horizontal line from the point of the should toward the buttock

what conformation helps position the rider over the center of gravity

well-sloped shoulders and strong withers

why should the rider sit caudal to the forelimbs

reduces concussive forces on forelimb joints

why should the rider sit cranial to the hindlimbs

prevents interference with the loin

what happens when the rider sits too far forward

front end becomes heavier, agility decreases, and concussion on forelimb increases

What are the most important general conformational characteristics of a jumper

• strong joints

• powerful hind limbs

• strong back

• In order to withstand landing forces and propel over jumps

What should a jumper’s shoulders and front legs be like

properly sloped shoulders and strong front legs for shock absorption during landing

why is excessive chest musculature undesirable in jumpers

adds front-end weight → increasing landing forces and reducing agility

how should jumper’s front-end width compare to the hindquarters

front end should be narrower than hindquarters, but not so narrow chested that limbs interfere

Why does a jumper need adequate neck length

allows adjustment of balance during takeoff, clearing the jump, and landing

how does a jumper typically land on the front limbs

• one front leg lands first, followed shortly by the other

• heels contact ground first and fetlocks extend

which structures experience strain when a jumper lands

tendons and ligaments on the palmar surface of the cannon bone and digit

which characteristics should a jumper’s cannon bones and carpal joints have

• strong cannon bones

• firm smooth palmar tendons

• wide flat carpal joints to minimize chance of injury

• appropriate foot size for horse

what back conformation is ideal for jumpers

• strong loin and back

• long enough for saddle clearance without becoming excessively long and weak

what hindquarter characteristics are important for jumpers

• powerful loins

• strong quarters and gaskins

• correctly conformed hocks

what is the idea conformation of the hocks for jumpers

• strong and wide from front to back

• large and flat on the front

what is the ideal alignment of the jumpers hindlimb from the side

a vertical line from the point of buttock should touch point of hook, cannon bone, and fetlock

What are the main movement requirements of a dressage horse

• ability to move freely

• collect

• extend their body at different times

What head, neck, and shoulder conformation is ideal for dressage

• clean throat latch poll flexion

• long, sloping shoulder for front-limb extension

• avoid short, swan, or ewe necks

How does an overall horizontal humerus affect dressage performance

limits front-limb extension

What back and topline conformation is preferred for dressage

• short, strong back but long enough for flexibility to allow for collection

• long withers blending smoothly into the back

• slightly uphill balance preferred over downhill

What does a strong withers and slightly lower croup coincide with

a horse that can engage the hind end for advanced dressage movements

what hindquarters conformation supports dressage movements

• relatively strong quarters

• straight hind legs

• correct hindlimb joint angles for engagement, collection, flexion, and impulsion