Topic:Conformation
Conformation refers to the physical structure and alignment of a horse's body, encompassing aspects such as bone structure, musculature, and limb alignment. It is an important area of study for understanding how these physical characteristics can influence a horse's performance, movement, and susceptibility to injury. Conformation assessment involves evaluating various body parts, including the head, neck, back, shoulders, legs, and hooves, to determine their proportionality and functionality. This topic includes research on the genetic and developmental factors influencing conformation, as well as its impact on different equestrian disciplines. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the assessment, implications, and breeding considerations related to equine conformation.
Some factors affecting the accuracy and variability of measurements of the height of ponies. Height is the only factor used to differentiate horses and ponies for competitive purposes; any horse without shoes that is less than 148 cm at the highest point of the withers can be classified as a pony. However, variations in height associated with anatomical and other factors can occur. In this study the accuracy of the most commonly used measuring procedure and seven independent factors that might affect apparent height were evaluated in skeletally mature horses that were less than 155 cm in height. The results indicated that there was an improvement of 57 per cent in the accuracy of meas...
[Prevalence of hereditary diseases in three-year-old Swiss Warmblood horses]. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical signs indicating hereditary diseases like equine sarcoid, osteochondrosis (OC) and the idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (ILH), and to demonstrate relationships between environment, feeding habits and conformation ("exterieur" evaluation) of the horses. For this purpose, we analyzed veterinary examinations of 403 stallions at the approvals since 1994 examined 493 three-year-old Swiss Warmblood horses, which were shown at the Swiss-Field-Tests in 2005. With the help of the owners a questionnaire on health, environment and feeding habits of t...
The contribution of heme propionate groups to the conformational dynamics associated with CO photodissociation from horse heart myoglobin. Photoacoustic calorimetry and transient absorption spectroscopy were used to study conformational dynamics associated with CO photodissociation from horse heart myoglobin (Mb) reconstituted with either Fe protoporphyrin IX dimethylester (FePPDME), Fe octaethylporphyrin (FeOEP), or with native Fe protoporphyrin IX (FePPIX). The volume and enthalpy changes associated with the Fe-CO bond dissociation and formation of a transient deoxyMb intermediate for the reconstituted Mbs were found to be similar to those determined for native Mb (DeltaV1 = -2.5+/-0.6 ml mol(-1) and DeltaH1 = 8.1+/-3.0 kcal mo...
Hoof growth and wear of semi-feral ponies during an annual summer ‘self-trimming’ period. Despite growing interest in application natural models of hoof-maintenance in domestic horses, little data is available to describe natural conformation and proposed mechanisms of self-maintenance. Objective: Quantitatively describe hoof growth and wear during a period of 'self-trimming' within a herd of semi-feral ponies. Methods: Hoof length, growth and wear were measured for a sample of 40 animals during a period of 'self-trimming' from June through September, 2005. Results: For front hooves, mean toe lengths in July, August and September were significantly less than in June. For the hind, ...
The effect of conformation on orthopaedic health and performance in a cohort of National Hunt racehorses: preliminary results. There is a lack of scientific data and studies on the effect of conformation on performance or on orthopaedic health. Objective: To investigate the relationship between conformation, injury and performance in racehorses used for racing over fences. Methods: Over 2 years, 108 National Hunt racehorses were followed and their medical and performance data recorded. Conformation was measured in 3D with a computerised motion analysis system. Linear multiple regression models were used to evaluate the effect of conformation on measures of race performance and stepwise forward logistic regression mode...
Reliability of conformational measurements in the horse using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The importance of a reliable method for conformation studies is generally acknowledged, but there are only limited data on the accuracy and precision of current assessment methods. Objective: To assess (1) the accuracy and repeatability of marker placement, (2) influence of stance of the horse on conformational parameters, (3) practicality of a computerised motion analysis system and (4) to compare the computerised motion analysis system to photographic systems of assessment. Methods: Twenty-eight reflective markers placed over anatomical landmarks were located in 3D using a computerised motio...
Prevalence, heritability and significance of musculoskeletal conformational traits in Thoroughbred yearlings. The assessment of belief that equine conformation is associated with performance and durability is a fundamental concept of horsemanship. Surprisingly, there is almost no quantitative evidence to support these beliefs. Objective: To assess the prevalence and heritability of conformational traits in Thoroughbred yearlings, and investigate their significance for subsequent turf flat-racing performance and durability. Methods: Nine selected conformational traits were assessed in a consistent, qualitative manner by a single veterinary observer and entered into a database together with details of p...
Carpal and fetlock conformation of the juvenile Thoroughbred from birth to yearling auction age. There is little information available about conformational changes in the forelimbs of growing foals. Objective: To describe the conformation of the carpus and fetlock of Thoroughbred foals from birth to yearling sale age. Methods: Subjective assessments of the fetlock and carpal conformation of 119 Thoroughbred foals were made within the first month of life and then at 30 day intervals until at least age 120 days. At least 70 subjects were examined further at 60 day intervals until September of their second year. Conformation grades are reported for 5 age groups: first 7 days and at a mean of...
Developmental aspects of distal limb conformation in the horse: the potential consequences of uneven feet in foals. Distal limb conformation is generally accepted to be an important item with respect to performance and soundness in mature horses, but little is known about the developmental aspects. Objective: To gain insight into the development of distal limb conformation and to assess the possible consequences of uneven feet in foals. Methods: Conformation of the distal front limbs of 23 Warmblood foals was scored visually and measured using radiographs, at ages 27 and 55 weeks. At the same ages, pressure measurements were made under both front feet. Results: At both ages the hoof-pastern axis was broken-...
Effect of standing tarsal angle on joint kinematics and kinetics. The tarsal joint is a frequent site of lameness, but little objective information is available regarding the effects of tarsal conformation on joint movements or forces. Objective: To compare tarsal kinematics and kinetics in horses with large, intermediate and small tarsal angles. Methods: Sagittal plane standing angle of the right tarsal joint was measured in 16 horses as they stood squarely with the hind hooves vertically beneath the hip joint. Tarsal angles were classified as small (< 155.5 degrees), intermediate (155.5-165.5 degrees) or large (> 165.5 degrees). Reflective markers, attache...
Uneven feet in a foal may develop as a consequence of lateral grazing behaviour induced by conformational traits. Conformational traits are important in breeding, since they may be indicative for performance ability and susceptibility to injuries. Objective: To study whether certain desired conformational traits of foals are related to lateralised behaviour while foraging and to the development of uneven feet. Methods: Twenty-four Warmblood foals, born and raised at the same location, were studied for a year. Foraging behaviour was observed by means of weekly 10 min scan-sampling for 8 h. A preference test (PT) was developed to serve as a standardised tool to determine laterality. The foals were evaluated...
Variation in conformation in a cohort of National Hunt racehorses. Assessment of conformation is commonly used in the selection of horses for performance purposes. Little information is available on the normal range of conformational traits within the Thoroughbred population. Objective: To describe variations in conformation in a cohort of racing Thoroughbreds in order to provide a set of baseline standards within which conformational traits can be considered normal. Methods: Ninety-eight conformational parameters were measured in a cohort of 108 National Hunt racehorses using a digital motion analysis system. The measurements consisted of segment lengths, jo...
Factor analysis of body measurements in Arabian horses. Data of 13 body measurements have been analysed from 166 Arabian horses, 123 mares and 43 stallions, ranging from 49 to 298 months of age, belonging to Alzahraa stud, Cairo, Egypt. General linear model was used to study age and gender effects on these measures. Gender was a significant source of variation for most studied traits, but not for neck girth, cannon bone circumference of fore and hind legs, and pastern girth of fore and hind legs. Age significantly affected pastern girths of fore and hind legs and cannon bone circumference of fore legs, while there was no significant effect on the o...
Evaluation of changes in architecture of the stratum internum of the hoof wall from fetal, newborn, and yearling horses. To evaluate morphologic changes of the stratum internum of hooves from near-term fetal, newborn, and yearling horses. Methods: Feet from 27 near-term equine fetuses, 19 newborn foals, and 8 yearlings. Methods: Primary epidermal laminae (PEL) of the stratum internum were examined for evidence of architectural changes. Results: In near-term fetuses, the PEL had a homogeneous appearance and symmetric distribution around the hoof wall with no significant differences in PEL density between the toe and quarters. However after birth, branched laminae at the toe formed within the first few weeks, whic...
Genetic correlations between conformation traits and radiographic findings in the limbs of German Warmblood riding horses. Studbook inspection (SBI) data of 20 768 German Warmblood mares and radiography results (RR) data of 5102 Hanoverian Warmblood horses were used for genetic correlation analyses. The scores on a scale from 0 to 10 were given for conformation and basic quality of gaits, resulting in 14 SBI traits which were used for the correlation analyses. The radiographic findings considered included osseous fragments in fetlock (OFF) and hock joints (OFH), deforming arthropathy in hock joints (DAH) and distinct radiographic findings in the navicular bones (DNB) which were analyzed as binary traits, and radio...
Compensation for changes in hoof conformation between shoeing sessions through the adaptation of angular kinematics of the distal segments of the limbs of horses. To determine the mechanism that enables horses to partially counteract the shift of the center of pressure under the hoof induced by changes in hoof morphology attributable to growth and wear during a shoeing interval. Methods: 18 clinically sound Warmblood horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated 2 days and 8 weeks after shoeing during trotting on a track containing pressure-force measuring plates and by use of a synchronous infrared gait analysis system set at a frequency of 240 Hz. All feet were trimmed toward straight alignment of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges and shod with stan...
Morphological evolution and heritability estimates for some biometric traits in the Murgese horse breed. A data set concerning 1,816 subjects entered in the Italian Horse Registry from 1925 to 2002 was analyzed to investigate the morphological evolution of the Murgese horse and to obtain useful elements to enhance breeding practices. Three basic body measurements (height at withers, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference) were considered for each subject. Heritabilities were calculated for each parameter to infer the growth and development traits of this breed. Over the past 20 years the Murgese horse has undergone considerable changes, passing from a typical mesomorphic structure (height at ...
The effect of hoof trimming on radiographic measurements of the front feet of normal Warmblood horses. The understanding of the normal position of the third phalanx (P3) and the distal sesamoid bone in relation to the size and shape of the hoof capsule in sound horses is helpful in the diagnosis of equine foot lameness. Some measurements on radiographs used to define the position of the pedal bone within the hoof capsule are significantly influenced by hoof trimming and the height of the withers. In this study, the front hooves of 40 Warmblood horses were radiographed twice, eight weeks apart, both before and after their hooves were trimmed by an experienced farrier. Using the software programm...
Hoof growth between two shoeing sessions leads to a substantial increase of the moment about the distal, but not the proximal, interphalangeal joint. There is little insight into the effects of routine farriery on the internal structures of the distal limb in sound horses. Objective: To measure the effect of change in hoof conformation during a shoeing interval on the moments about the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ, DIPJ) and to determine whether and how the horse compensates for this change in hoof conformation. Methods: Both front feet of 9 sound Warmblood horses were measured while standing on a pressure-force measuring system and radiographed in a lateromedial direction shortly after shoeing and 8 weeks later. From th...
Clinical findings, diagnosis, prevalence and predisposing factors for lameness localised to the middle carpal joint in young Standardbred racehorses. Lameness related to the middle carpal joint (MCJ) occurs in up to 30% of young Standardbred horses in race training and the incidence increase with radiographic severity of third carpal bone (C3) sclerosis on DPr-DDIO (skyline) view of the carpus. Factors predisposing horses to carpal injury have not been well investigated. Objective: To determine the importance of MCJ lameness as a cause of wastage in young Standardbred racehorses, stage of training at which it occurs and predisposing factors, and to describe clinical findings and diagnosis. Methods: Standardbred horses (n = 114) entering the...
Analysis of pedigree and conformation data to explain genetic variability of the horse breed Franches-Montagnes. Franches-Montagnes is the only native horse breed in Switzerland, therefore special efforts should be made for ensuring its survival. The objectives of this study were to characterize the structure of this population as well as genetic variability with pedigree data, conformation traits and molecular markers. Studies were focused to clarify if this population is composed of a heavy- and a light-type subpopulation. Extended pedigree records of 3-year-old stallions (n = 68) and mares (n = 108) were available. Evaluations of body conformation traits as well as pedigree data and molecular markers ...
[Do hoof cracks represent a superficial hoof-problem?]. Fifty-four horses with hoof cracks were referred to the Equine Hospital of the University of Zurich, for treatment. The horses were admitted because of lameness or other symptoms caused by the cracks. Deep or complicated quarter cracks were the most common type of cracks diagnosed. Poor conformation and abnormal hoof shape were the most important causes of hoof crack development, whereas injury to the coronary band was a less frequently encountered cause. Effective treatment of this problem includes corrective shoeing, removing horn from the weight-bearing surface as well as from the crack wit...
Changes in location of centre of pressure and hoof-unrollment pattern in relation to an 8-week shoeing interval in the horse. In order to optimise shoeing and shoeing conditions, it is essential to know how the horse adapts to a common shoeing interval. Objective: To measure changes in location of the centre of pressure (CoP) and hoof-unrollment pattern during a shoeing interval and to assess whether these changes in CoP result directly from changes in hoof conformation or are also influenced by compensatory mechanisms. Methods: Eighteen horses were trotted over a pressure-force measurement system shortly after shoeing and 8 weeks later. The position of the CoP was measured and also predicted using calculations based...
The role of conformation in musculoskeletal problems in the racing Thoroughbred. The relationship of conformation to future potential injury is a standard approach in practise but, at present, is largely based on subjective observations. Objective: To measure conformation in 3-year-old Thoroughbreds and objectively test its relationship with the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems. Methods: Conformation measurements were taken from photographs using specific reference points marked on the horses and processed on the computer. Clinical observations were recorded for each horse on a regular basis. Stepwise (forward) logistic regression analysis was performed to investigat...
Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred. There is little information available to define conformational changes with age using an objective but practical method of recording specific body measurements. Objective: To analyse conformation objectively in a population of racing Thoroughbreds and describe the changes from weanling to age 3 years. Methods: Annual photographs were taken over 4 years and conformation measurements made from photographs using specific reference points marked on the horses. Results: Correlation analysis revealed highly significant, moderate to strong relationships between long bone lengths and wither height for...
Effect of heel elevation on forelimb conformation in horses. To determine the conformational changes in the distal forelimb of horses following heel elevation of 15 degrees and greater. An experimental study with repeated, within-horse measurements. Methods: Five clinically normal, mixed-breed horses were used to determine distal forelimb conformation following heel elevation from 0 to 45 degrees in 15 degree increments. Data were also compared to conformation of the limb in a Kimzey splint. Conformation was determined using lateral to medial radiographic projections. Conformation parameters assessed included measurement of apparent lengths of digital f...
Relationship of foot conformation and force applied to the navicular bone of sound horses at the trot. Collapsed heels conformation has been implicated as causing radical biomechanical alterations, predisposing horses to navicular disease. However, the correlation between hoof conformation and the forces exerted on the navicular bone has not been documented. Objective: The angle of the distal phalanx in relation to the ground is correlated to the degree of heel collapse and foot conformation is correlated to the compressive force exerted by the deep digital flexor tendon on the navicular bone. Methods: Thirty-one shod Irish Draught-cross type horses in routine work and farriery care were trotte...