What is the general feelings on dealing with back at the knee conformation?
Trainers I have talked to basically say "You never know if it's going to be a problem, some never put a foot wrong, some can't get past injuring it"
ie. You don't know until you try...(Unsaid: I'd like my $45 a day, please , but don't blame me if it pulls up lame once we start speed work...)
What is your practical experience? Do you not even bother starting them, or do you give them a shot? What would be your threshhold for not starting a youngster? ie. "We start them all and train appropriately".. or "If they even hint at straightness through the knee we don't bother because experience has shown it's a waste of time...." etc.
Thanks
KH
Back at the knee
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn
Hi Gallop,
Back at The knee (calf kneed), is indeed the most serious of all knee conformation flaws. This conformation flaw will increase the chances of over extension, fracture, suspensory and bowed tendon injuries.
You can visually guestimate your horses chances of getting to the races by observing how far back the knee is set from the line of the cannon bone--the further back it is set all the above injuries are more likely to occur. If the horse is light bodied and agile the chances of getting to the races increase, conversely heavy bodied and clumsy they decrease dramatically.
If, after observing his pros and cons, you decide to take a shot I would advise you to:
Have the horse shod at no more than 3 week intervals. Make sure the feet are carefully balanced by a good blacksmith. Don't use grabs of any kind front or back--a plain shoe is required. Don't allow the toe to get too long, as a matter of fact I would use square toed shoes to aid with breaking over. Any drag when breaking over will aggrevate the situation.
Make sure the horse has a steady diet of long jogs to build up his hind end prior to galloping. When he does get to galloping long slow and easy miles are the key to bringing him to the races. Best of luck if you give him a try:>) TJ
Back at The knee (calf kneed), is indeed the most serious of all knee conformation flaws. This conformation flaw will increase the chances of over extension, fracture, suspensory and bowed tendon injuries.
You can visually guestimate your horses chances of getting to the races by observing how far back the knee is set from the line of the cannon bone--the further back it is set all the above injuries are more likely to occur. If the horse is light bodied and agile the chances of getting to the races increase, conversely heavy bodied and clumsy they decrease dramatically.
If, after observing his pros and cons, you decide to take a shot I would advise you to:
Have the horse shod at no more than 3 week intervals. Make sure the feet are carefully balanced by a good blacksmith. Don't use grabs of any kind front or back--a plain shoe is required. Don't allow the toe to get too long, as a matter of fact I would use square toed shoes to aid with breaking over. Any drag when breaking over will aggrevate the situation.
Make sure the horse has a steady diet of long jogs to build up his hind end prior to galloping. When he does get to galloping long slow and easy miles are the key to bringing him to the races. Best of luck if you give him a try:>) TJ
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Tucumcari
- Chef de Race: Brilliant
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Steer clear if you ask me. They have so much to overcome, why go looking for trouble.
Proverbs 31:8
"...stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all those who are destitute.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QawYXs2e ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIASWv9GYC8
"...stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all those who are destitute.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QawYXs2e ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIASWv9GYC8
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Sylvie Hebert
- Restricted Stakes Winner
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- Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:19 pm
- Location: canada
how about naming the correctly built horses that did not make it.....oh! i forgot... nobody has that much time on their hands...we all try to get the less incorrect horses in our barn evidently but all is a matter of balance,raising,training,luck...so many factors...you cannot discart a horse for a flaw only.. it is an overall picture....like you cannot buy for perfect conformation only....nobody is perfect...a good racehorse is made well whatever he looks like...none of you would have bought John Henry or Mr Prospector or most of his gets either...but Hell they could run...
The sport and industry survive not only because of the champions that are remembered forever but also because of the losers that are so easy to forget...