Re: shoulder conformation

["Becky Huffman" <tos@htcomp.net>]

Michelle, I'm a student of conformation, not an expert by any means, but I'd love to take a look at your perspective horse.  you can send to TOS@htcomp.net

 

it is my understanding that it is more important (in consideration of soundness) that the shoulder and pastern *match*, regardless of the degree of angle, and that the hoof be trimmed so there is an unbroken line from the end of the toe to the top of the pastern.  (if the horse is, basically, correctly build without major leg or body flaws)

 

from what I have read and seen, you have to find a balance, as in all things.  conventional wisdom says that a 'sloping shoulder is good', so everyone goes for the slopingest shoulder.  while that may allow higher knee action and a smoother ride, among other benefits, it also puts more stress on the support system (tendons, etc).  While straighter angles don't stretch/stress the support system the same way, they also loose some amount of the shock absorption, leading to a more jarring ride, and more concussion on the legs and the rest of the horse.

 

Hey Steph, how about an Endurance Conformation Clinic webpage with photos of some of the greats, and, with permission of course, comments regarding their physical strengths, also any 'weakness' that they were able to overcome - be endurance horses 'in spite of'.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
Huffman's Arabians ~ The Original Series ~
http://www.htcomp.net/Huffman/

 

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.  The Great Oz has spoken."    The Wizard of Oz

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Michelle Fink

To: ridecamp@endurance.net

Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2001 10:04 AM

Subject: RC: shoulder conformation

I'm in the process of looking for an additional horse to replace my NATRC
mount (a slooow MFT), and I have a conformation question.  The ideal
shoulder angle is 45 degrees, right?  And the pastern angle should match the
shoulder angle...  So how is it that you end up with a shoulder angle of 45
degrees and an ideal hoof angle in the low 50's?  Does a sloping shoulder
predispose the horse to LT/LH?

If anyone is really into conformation and wouldn't mind, I'd love to send a
picture of the horse I'm considering and get some additional feedback.  I've
tried to do a Dr. Deb type analysis myself, but am still getting tripped up
on the shoulder angle thing.

Thanks -

Michelle


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