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appropriateness for the intended discipline. It helps to get input from a trainer and farrier along with a veterinarian’s assessment. It
also helps to have an unbiased person look at the horse – ideally this is someone without any vested interest or stake from their involvement or opinion.
As a purchaser, ask about a horse’s qualities relative to the intended discipline. Here’s a simple example of what might be scrutinized carefully: A horse with a tiny foot that is expected to perform on hard ground surfaces with impact-type efforts will be affected more than a horse with large, robust feet.
Another consideration is the geographical location where a horse will live and compete. For example, a horse with navicular syndrome living on the hard ground of the western United States may do poorly, but if moved to softer ground in Florida or the East Coast may do quite well.
Often a horse is selected based on what
the horse is doing at the particular time
he is offered for sale. Because the horse is successful, there may not be much focus on conformation. Despite the horse performing well at the current time of the exam, the buyer should question the potential for that animal to continue a long-term competitive career. No one has a crystal ball into the future, but it is significant to address this question and
at least have a conversation about what might potentially go wrong and what management techniques can be applied to minimize risks to athletic performance and longevity.
HOW TO MANAGE AND PREVENT INJURIES
In general, any limb rotation or club foot conformation is at risk of developing soreness in joints and/or soft tissue structures of the limb. Compensatory lameness problems can also develop, such as back soreness due to
stifle or hock pain. A thorough veterinary exam helps to identify the source of lameness so a plan can be made to improve a horse’s comfort. A medical plan would be no different for a conformationally-challenged horse as one developed for a lame horse
with correct conformation. The difference
is that the horse with poor conformation may develop lameness issues sooner than one with more correct limbs; and, that horse is likely to need on-going maintenance to keep him comfortable once problems develop. Early recognition and proactive care are key strategies to exacting the best in a horse’s performance for as long as possible.
Knowing from the outset what you are dealing with helps planning strategies to maximize a horse’s potential and reduce
risk of injury. For a horse with an upright pastern conformation or straight hind legs, concussion amplified up the limb has a potential to elicit osteoarthritis. This horse benefits from good shoeing, training on good footing, appropriately managed competition schedules, and the use of supportive joint supplements – injectable and/or oral.
Regular evaluation and flexion tests by your veterinarian are important strategies to check for subtle changes before they become full- blown problems.
A horse with a long pastern may be best served by having the veterinarian look the horse over at least twice a year. The evaluation may include palpation and flexion tests that help to identify subclinical soreness, especially in the fetlocks. Such surveillance does not necessarily need to include radiographs or ultrasound exams but is dependent on a thorough hands- on examination by a knowledgeable vet.
Another important strategy for all horses, those with good conformation or one that
is conformationally challenged, is to have on-going discussions with the farrier and
veterinarian about methods to manage foot care and reduce concussion. Farrier practices are especially critical for managing a horse with an angular limb deformity, i.e. toed in or out, or one with a club foot.
Progressive development of a horse’s condition and fitness is important to build strength throughout all musculoskeletal structures and the metabolic system.
Warm up and cool down periods are important for musculoskeletal health. Slow advancement of a horse’s performance level helps the horse to develop its skill set at a safe pace according to its abilities. Besides meticulous shoeing practices to enable
the hooves to land flat and balanced, a variety of medical treatment options are available for joint-sore and/or muscle-sore individuals. Treatments range from intra- articular joint injections (corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide gel), to regenerative therapies (stem cells, platelet- rich plasma, IRAP), to shock wave, massage, chiropractics and acupuncture.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Many factors are critical for equine athletic success. It is noteworthy that halter horses don’t necessarily make good performers with long careers. This tells us that there is a disconnect between what suits our eye as the ideal compared to which horses are able to perform and for an extended time.
There is no set recipe for dealing with a conformationally-challenged equine athlete. So much depends on each individual situation, the degree of conformational flaw, the discipline
in which the horse works, and rider or trainer ability and expectations. It’s important to note that while all equine athletes prosper with diligent management, one with conformational challenges will definitely need the expertise of a team of competent professionals.
VETERINARY VIEWS
“It’s important to note that while all equine athletes prosper with diligent management, one with conformational challenges will definitely need the expertise of a team of competent professionals.”
COURTESY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS
Regular evaluation and flexion tests by your veterinarian are important to check for subtle changes before they become full-blown problems.
“Early recognition and proactive care are key strategies to exacting the best in a horse’s performance for as long as possible.”
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