Pedigree Query

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

It really depends on the severity. Flat knees are not as bad as really BACK at the knee, so that the leg is almost a right parenthesis.

In my hunter jumper days, we never even tried to jump those. They usually chip.

Your trainer gave you correct advice. I've seen them be the soundest horses in the barn to never getting past a half mile breeze..

My personal experience-the ones that are slightly back at the knee seem to do better than the very pronounced type.

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

Steer clear if you ask me. They have so much to overcome, why go looking for trouble.

Tuc is absolutely right.

Stay away from this. Not one in ten make it.

tbrace wrote:Tuc is absolutely right.

Stay away from this. Not one in ten make it.

Err.. Have you heard of John Henry.....

tbrace wrote:Tuc is absolutely right.

Stay away from this. Not one in ten make it.

Deleted.

I got one that is a little back in the knee. hes sound as a dollar and won last trip out.

Back at the knee has always been the kiss of death for me. Chips, chips and more chips. Always exceptions just never for me.

Larrygene

Apexseal,

John Henry is one, let me name you nine, + nine, etc.

tbrace wrote:Apexseal,

John Henry is one, let me name you nine, + nine, etc.

Err.. there's also Pharos, Phalaris, Danehill, etc......

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...

Have any of you seen Real Quiet? He's mess, and that's after corrective surgery.