Conformation Clinic - Part 2


"Fistulous Withers" or "Fistula of the withers" is an unsoundness that is very much like the "poll evil" we discussed last month. Like poll evil, it is an inflammation of the bursa, only at the height of the withers instead of at the poll. The bursa is the cushion around the vertebra. This inflammation may become infected and result in foul-smelling discharge.

There are three sections to the back. The actual back usually refers to the area that supports the ribs, the area from the last rib to the hip bone is called the coupling (or sometimes loin) and from the hip to tail is called the croup (or sometimes rump). The withers and hip should be the same height, with the back only slightly lower. If the center of the horse's back slopes down, he is called "sway backed." A sway back is weak and commonly seen in older horses and broodmares.

The length of the back and coupling will determine how supple a horse is. A horse with a very short back may find it difficult to do round, bending dressage movements. However, a back that is too long will be weak. A horse that is "loose in the coupling" (that is very long from the last rib to point of hip) may seem a bit uncoordinated and certainly have a hard time doing things like herding cows or running around barrels in tight turns.

If someone says a horse is "steep in the croup" it means that the line from point of hip to the base of the tail drops off too sharply. A flat croup, or one that rounds gently down to the tail allows greater range of motion for the hind legs. It also makes the hindquarters more powerful.

The underline of the horse should also be predominantly straight, with a gentle slope up toward the coupling. The soft, thin skin at the bottom of the coupling is called the flank. A conformational flaw called "wasp waisted" means that the underline cuts up too sharply, giving less space to the stomach and intestines.

An unsoundness that can be detected in this area is a hernia. Yes, horses can get hernias just like people. A hernia can sometimes be seen as a protrusion under the barrel, close to the midline. By the way, you can also find the horse's belly button here.

So there you have an overall look at the body of

The copyright of the article Conformation Clinic - Part 2 in Horse Talk is owned by Patricia Celley. Permission to republish Conformation Clinic - Part 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2 3

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic