Equine Applied Zootechnology: Conformation and Morphology

A set of practice flashcards covering equine conformation, morphology, and limb alignment faults based on the Equine Applied Zootechnology lecture notes.

Conformation (Morphology)

The form or outline of an animal, which serves as an indicator of performance potential and suitability for a specific function.

Square position

The standard stance used for assessment where the horse stands on level ground with weight equally distributed across all four limbs.

Lever arm

The role served by the head and neck as a balance agent for the body due to their size and proportion.

Pig eye

A condition characterized by an overly wide forehead and small eyes, which limits the horse's field of vision.

Parrot mouth

A congenital malalignment (overbite) of the incisors that may also affect the molar teeth.

Bulldog mouth

A congenital malalignment (under-bite) of the incisors.

Ewe neck

A neck conformation that is concave out of the withers, appearing weak and under-muscled.

Swan neck

A conformation where the neck is concave out of the withers, has an over-developed underline, and a poor junction at the head.

Loaded shoulder

A fault where the withers are very low, thick, and over-muscled, often leading to saddle fitting problems.

Forequarter composite joint

The joint composed of the scapula and the humerus.

Well-sprung ribs

Ribs that are arched and well-spaced to allow for adequate heart and lung space.

Pigeon breasted

A conformation fault where the horse has an overly prominent sternum.

Slab sided

A condition where the horse has short, flat, and upright ribs that limit internal organ space.

Herring gutted

A term for a horse that is 'tucked-up' in the flank area, often seen in racehorses in hard work.

Coupling

The area from the last rib to the point of croup (loin) that supports the lumbar vertebrae and transfers power from the hindquarter forward.

Sway back

An exaggerated dip between the withers and the loin that may develop with age.

Roach back

An exaggerated concave arch of the spinal column along the topline, specifically in the loin area.

Tuber coxae

The point of the hip.

Tuber scarale

The point of the croup.

Tuber ischia

The point of the buttock.

Goose-rumped

A sloped or rounded croup profile.

Jumpers bump

An overly prominent tuber scarale, usually resulting from past injury or under-conditioning.

Poverty lines

A fault indicating an overall weak and under-muscled hindquarter.

Rectangular body format

A body profile where the height at the withers measures shorter than the body length; preferred in warmblood sport horses.

Bone below the knee

A measurement of cannon bone density (ideally $8.5 \, \text{inches}$ or $22 \, \text{cm}+$) that determines weight-carrying capacity.

Base-narrow

A limb fault where the distance between the feet on the ground is less than the distance between the limbs at their point of origin.

Winging-out

An associated gait abnormality caused by toe-in (pigeon-toed) conformation.

Winging-in

An associated gait abnormality caused by toed-out (splay-footed) conformation.

Calf knees (Back at the knee)

A palmer deviation of the carpal joints where the leg curves backwards under the body.

Bucked knees (Over at the knee)

A dorsal deviation of the carpal joints where the leg curves forwards.

Carpus valgus (Knock knees)

A medial angular deviation where the carpal joint deviates inwards when viewed from the front.

Carpus varus (Bowlegged)

A lateral angular deviation where the carpal joint deviates outwards when viewed from the front.

Offset Cannons (Bench Knees)

A fault where the cannon bone is offset to the lateral side and does not follow a straight line from the radius.

Tied-in below the knee

A condition where flexor tendons are too close to the cannon bone below the carpus, potentially limiting movement.

Pastern hoof axis

The continuous line formed by the slope of the pastern and the hoof wall, ideally at $45-50^\circ$ for forelimbs.

Cow hocks (Tarsus valgus)

A medial deviation of the hock joint where the horse stands base narrow to the hock and base wide from the hock to the feet.

Sickle hocks

Excessive angulation of the hock joint, causing the horse to stand under from the hock joint down.

Post-legged (Straight behind)

A weak conformation with very little angle between the femur, tibia, and hock joint.