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Discussion on Hind leg confirmation and dressage
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Member:
beckettj
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 5:17 pm:
Hi all:
I've been looking at a 5 year old Hanoverian gelding with basic under saddle training to buy for dressage. During the pre-purchase exam, my vet noted that this gelding's hind legs both flex very low where the cannon bone meets the pastern joint, which causes a lot of stress to the suspensory ligament in the hind leg. He also noted that there was some fluid in the pastern joint on both hind legs. X-rays show the cannon bone is set back from the front of the pastern, which explains the extra flexion, and also causes some concern about his horse being able to do upper level dressage work.
The owner says that if I want a horse that's easy to sit (I have a bad back), this is a confirmation trait that I will have to have. I'm concerned that with more work, I may have a problem. I would really like a horse that can go to Prix St Georges if possible. Is it possible to find a horse that's easy to sit that also can do upper level dressage work without overtaxing it's hind limb joints?
Thanks!
Janice
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 8:05 pm:
Janice,
Warmbloods aren't the only horses capable of upper level work. A friend has a lovely TB working exceptionally well in 4th and very capable of going higher...and he's much easier to sit than my WB. I've read of QH's Arabians and other breeds that have all reached upper levels successfully. It will take some looking, but those horses are definitely out there.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 8:10 am:
Hello Janice,
Hmmmmmm, the owner says you must buy a horse that has been judged by your veterinarian to have a conformation that may be a harbinger to suspensory problems in order to have a smooth ride? Many do feel such "sprung" pasterns and fetlocks cushion the ride but I don't consider it a reason to buy such a horse as I too think that a preponderance of horses with this conformation do have later suspensory problems. Neither am I convinced such conformation required for a good ride.
DrO
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 2:21 pm:
Janice,
"The owner says that if I want a horse that's easy to sit (I have a bad back), this is a confirmation trait that I will have to have." - spoken like a person trying to sell a ('defective') horse to me! LOL
This is absolutely UNtrue!! What you want is a horse that will use it's leg joints and bring the back up to give you a nice, smooth place to sit! I have a bad back and my mare has an incredibly smooth trot, but that's because she has been trained to use her leg joints and bend to absorb the movement. 
I would stay far away from this particular horse. If you really want to get to upper levels in dressage you will need a horse that is gonna be conformationally able and remain sound, to get you there and one like this is not that horse. This one will be the horse whose pasterns give out and will just stand around with pasterns parallel to the ground, sooner or later. (Poor thing.)
Keep looking cause there are many nicely conformed horses, for dressage, available out there right now!
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Member:
beckettj
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 3:38 pm:
Thanks for the help everyone! You've confirmed what my 'gut' was already telling me. I will chalk this one up to experience and keep looking.
Janice
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