highland pony society
DESCRIPTION
Highland Pony Society Talk given by Jane Nixon MRCVS in November 2013 on the topic of Conformation, Breeding and Performance of the Highland PonyTRANSCRIPT
HIGHLAND PONY SOCIETYSTUDY DAY
9TH NOVEMBER 2013Jane Nixon MRCVS
Conformation
Breeding & Performance
We will discuss togetherpony evolution
resultant structure and function
conformation and performancespecific conformation problems
how to avoid problems
The Horse
Some pertinent evolutionary factsIt is a• Herd animal• Galloping animal
– Chased ‘prey’ species. Fright Flight (not fight!)• Defender rather than an aggressor• Single limb bone column: on Tip Toe
– Pedal bone in horn capsule, the hoof
• Grazer so requiring– large head– long neck– capacious digestive system
• Four legged, one at each corner, with– no collar bone– powerful hindquarters
The HorseAs a prey animal the wild horse had to be• Readily aware• Quick off the mark• Agile, fast and balanced in asymmetric gaits• Quick to return to grazing composure
As a domesticated horse the• Fright and Flight had to be trained (converted) into• Alertness• Responsiveness to aids, (biddable)• Capable in all gaits (increasing speed and agility)• Not stressed under saddle• Fit to do and to recover
Structure & Function
80% of propulsion comes from the hindquarters• Hamstring and pelvic muscle power• Top line muscle power to lift forequarter “come
up in front”• Good shoulder / pastern line• Saddle room for shoulder blade sweepAlways view from both sides
Growth to maturity is judged by final height at withers
• Brisket, ribs, vertebrae & dorsal processes later• Limb bones to elbow close around 2 years
• This age of this varies with breed
• Ponies usually earlier than warm bloods
The Horse’s outline - Points are those of the skeleton
• The surface areas – the jargonese description or name of the various parts• The “points”
– The landmarks at protruding parts of bones usually at a joint– Visible and palpable– Obesity does not hide the points
The skeletal top line and the bird’s eye views show areas of bone available for optimal muscle attachment. i.e.
• Flat of ribs• Side of dorsal processes• Lateral processes of lumbars• Flat of upper hind limb bones
– Ham string and thigh muscles “size”
Fore Quarters Hind Quarters
No collar bone Bony Attachments
Conformation > Soundness, ability, durability
• Based on underlying, genetically determined skeletal framework (eg Skeletal “top line”)
• Unalterable after maturity
• Can only be ‘managed’ by breeding
Conformation and performance
BALANCE IS PARAMOUNT
CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS
• Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance–Unbalanced
AT MATURITY
Balanced fore quarter Balanced Hindquarter
A balanced horse at grass
Able to graze without compromise of forelegs
Dynamic balance
• ALL horses and ponies in order to• Survive and evolve• Whatever their discipline• Must have conformation that allows the horse
or pony to maintain dynamic , as well as static, balance & allow the rider empathy
• Our recent gold medals reflects the increased understanding and promotion of this basic principle
Dynamic balance
• Must start at DAY 1and continue throughout the horse or pony’s life
Optimising performance
• Conformation to perform
• Body weight and breeding
• Manageable variables
THE NECK AND TORSO
• Aim for the lightness of the forehand
• If the neck comes out of the top of the shoulders
• → easy to carry head and neck with supple topline
• Neck pain may cause forelimb lameness
The neck and torso
• LOW SET NECK
• NECK NEEDS TO BE LIFTED TO COME OFF THE FOREHAND
• → BACK STIFFNESS
CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS • Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance
– Unbalanced
NECK• Crest fat laminitis
• Hollow in front of withers – dorsal spinal ligament – weak build
up ventral muscles
LONG BACK – More Flexible →SI Disease
ROACH BACK - Unsightly but not usually a problem
SHORT BACK – Kissing Spines
“SLACK LOINS” → SI disease
SHALLOW GIRTH
POOR LUNG CAPACITY
THE FORELEGS
• MAINTENANCE OF RHYTHM IN ALL PACES IS FUNDAMENTAL
• LONGER LEGS →
• i GREATER VARIETY IN STRIDE LENGTH
• ii EXTEND MORE EASILY WITHOUT RAISING FREQUENCY OF STRIDE
CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS
SHOULDERS Breed susceptibility to
• overloading laminitis poor saddle fit
Asymmetrical scapular cartilage difficult to fit saddle
Too upright
• ALL rotational and angular limb deformities out 8/10 rule
• Overdeveloped muscles indicate lameness behind
The Competition Horse conformational faults
NORMAL
BACK AT THE KNEE
Back at the Knee
Normal
BACK AT THE KNEE
BACK AT THE KNEE
FAULTS PREDISPOSING TO SPLINTS
Offset Knees Bow Legs Knocked Knees
CONFORMATION FAULTS THE FEET
• SLIGHTLY ODD FRONT FEET
• ESPECIALLY HEEL DEPTH
• NO HEEL SUPPORT
• WEAK HOOF CAPSULES
• SIGN OF LAMINITIS
• UNEVEN HEEL DEPTH → Uneven scapular height → Asymmetrical Shoulders re: saddle fit
THE HINDQUARTERS
• The flatter the pelvis • → More muscle• → Greater strength and flexibility
• STRAIGHT HIND LEGS → Unable to come under the horse
• ACUTE HOCK ANGLE → Less able to carry weight
• TARSAL VALGUS → Risk of Pelvic fractures
Quarters width should be parallel with thighs
HINDLEG
The Competition Horse conformational faults
NORMAL HOCK
HINDLEG CONFORMATION FAULTS
Straight Hocks
PREDISPOSED TO HIGH SUSPENSION DISMITIS
AS SEEN IN ANDULASIAN AND PASAFINOS
HOCK CONFORMATION
Cow HocksPre-dispose to
Pelvic Fractures
Sickle HocksPre-dispose to
Curbs
CURBANATOMY APPEARANCE
DEFINITION OF A CURB
• COMPLEX OF SOFT TISSUE INJURIES ON BACK OF THE HOCK JOINTS
• CONFORMATIONAL BONY ABNORMALITIES AND/OR INJURIES MAY MIMIC AND CONTRIBUTE EVENTUALLY TO CURB FORMATION
• CAUSING UNDER PERFORMANCE AND LAMENESS
PASTERNS
• SLOPING
• → OVEREXTENDED FETLOCK
• → STRAIN UP THE WHOLE OF THE BACK OF THE LEG TO THE PELVIS AND BACK
• UPRIGHT
• → JARRING OF JOINTS ESPECIALLY FETLOCK → ARTICULAR AND TENDINOUS WINDGALLS
DISCIPLINE INDUCED ORTHAPAEDIC RISK (AHT 2006)
• S.J. ↑ INJURY SOFT BELOW FETLOCK) REPEATED STRAIN ON• SOFT FORELEGS ) LANDING OVER HIGH• FENCES
• DRESSAGE ↑ HINDLEG HIGH SUSPENSORY ) EXTRAVAGANT• DESMITIS ) MOVEMENT
AND• ) COLLECTION
• GOOD CONFORMATION WILL DECREASE THE RISK
Conclusion
The good Competition Horse should
– Be well balanced
– “Fill the eye”
– Have conformation that gives the appearance of balance and comfort
– To allow him to express the will and do the job required
Optimising performance
• Conformation to perform
• Body weight and breeding
• Manageable variables
“ANIMAL LOVERS UNABLE TO RECOGNISE PORTLY EQUINES”
WORLD HORSE WELFARE CHARITY POLL
i) 50% could not recognise pictures of overweight horses and many did not view condition as a welfare threat
ii) Thin horses often the correct weight, but looked thin compared to overweight field companions
VETERINARY TIMES JANUARY 25TH 2010
JUDGES: Go National Hunt racing to see fit horses
LAMINITIS
• LAMINITIS
– CAN START IN UTERO
– CAN AFFECT THE THIN PREVIOUSLY OBESE HORSE
– BUT THE SIGNS ARE OBVIOUS
• LAMINITIS
• Laminae – Site
• It is – Inflammation
THE SIGNSOBESITY
NECK CREST FAT
TAIL HEAD FAT
• HORSE WITH GOOD CONFORMATION WILL/SHOULD
• BE EXHIBITED IN CONDITION SUITABLE FOR JOB IN HAND
• THOSE HORSES WITH WEAK CONFORMATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE EXHIBITED TOO FAT IN ORDER TO HIDE FAULTS
• I.E FAT HORSE IS INDICATION OF CONFORMATION PROBLEM
JUDGES• ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE CORRECT BODY WEIGHT
TO PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS BUT MUST REMAIN VIGILANT
• THE OVERWEIGHT HORSE WILL OVERLOAD JOINTS ESPECIALLY ON HARD GROUND
• ↓ ABILITY TO GALLOP ESPECIALLY IN CHAMPIONSHIPS
• BE PREDISPOSED TO LAMINITIS
Manageable variables
• Dental arcade• Feet balance• Attention to detail from day1
THE FEETThe hoof wall is modified skin (epidermis) thus
• It is constantly growing down from the coronary band
• Coincidentally worn down or trimmed
• The whole hoof as judged at weight bearing should be balanced front to back, side to side, to give level foot fall
• Should be trimmed to conformation of the individual limb
• It is subject to distortion by torque from action due to poor conformation and/or foot balance
MEDIO- LATERAL INBALANCE
LEFT FORE FROM BEHIND
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
OUTSIDE
INSIDE
Well balanced foot Unbalanced foot
How to assess foot balance, left and right handed farriers
HIND FEET BALANCE
• MORE IMPORTANT THAN FORELEGS BECAUSE HIND LIMBS ATTACHED TO AXIAL SKELETON AT SI JOINT
• LONG TOE/LOW HEEL → SLOWS BREAKOVER → PELVIC PAIN
• MEDIO LATERAL INBALANCE
• → HIND LIMB TORQUE
• → PELVIC ASYMETRY
• → BACK PAIN
A P HOOF BALANCE
• A P = antero postero =front to back
Back at the kneepredisposes to check ligament strain &
inflammation of the knee joints
Management back at the knee & curbs
• Reduce load ie body weight• Keep toes short and reduce shoeing interval• Extra length at heels for support• Graduated shoes , not calkins• No studs or road nails
Manageable variables• Dental arcade
• Feet balance
• Attention to detail from day1
Attention to detail from day!Producer/Farrier/Vet/Nutritionist
Thank you•
• Any questions please?
• Or please do not• hesitate to ring • 07713342416 or• Email [email protected]
•