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Post by wondering on May 20, 2010 10:29:45 GMT
Just wondering what people's views were on horses being over at the knee. I really dont like it personally, and if judging would mark a horse down for it quite a bit. However I have seen a few horses this year (one with v well known producer!) with really AWFUL forelimb conformation like this. Not just slightly over at the knee, but very obviously, and horse still doing well! Am I alone in thinking this or is it really not quite as bad as I feel it is? Opinions please!
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Post by sageandonion on May 20, 2010 11:11:36 GMT
This conformation fault does predispose to unsoundness. Therefore I would say it is a serious fault, not just an acquired blemish and as such has no place in the show ring. I have no idea how someone could do well showing this.
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EJM
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Post by EJM on May 20, 2010 11:31:02 GMT
i would also mark down dont like it at all! I have a highland pony who is back at the knee we are still going to show him but dont expect to get to HOYS ect because of it :-) wee still love him
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Post by thecremellosociety on May 20, 2010 12:26:07 GMT
Over at the knee in prefernce to back at the knee but perfer it normal !!!! Alot of TB are over at the knee apprantly stops them breaking down so easily
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EJM
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Post by EJM on May 20, 2010 13:33:35 GMT
!!!! Alot of TB are over at the knee apprantly stops them breaking down so easily really did wonder why so many in racing were like that!
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Post by brindlerainbow on May 20, 2010 13:50:15 GMT
My ex racing TB was over at the knee, she raced on the flat as a 2 and 3 year old then hunted for 12 seasons and retired as sound as a bell!!! I prefer it to back at the knee, but I dont think it has a place in the show ring
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on May 20, 2010 13:52:18 GMT
I think any inherited conformational defect should be penalised in the ring, but you have to look at the whole picture, a horse might have a fault but still be overall a better animal than anything else in the ring on the day. Another animal might look perfect but move like a constipated camel! It's the whole picture, on that particular day.
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march
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Post by march on May 20, 2010 14:32:22 GMT
I too have seen some interesting legs this season and totally agree with wondering. I can only assume they havent got a clue on confirmation faults when purchasing the horse or are under the illusion that becuase whom is riding the horse then confirmation dosent matter!!
From a veterinary perspective, horses who are over at the knee have extra strain placed on their sesamoid bones and the suspensory ligament. I certainly wouldnt be purchasing a "show" horse with these faults.
And remeber....... a good horse is one with many good, few indifferent and no bad points!
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Post by hollycane on May 20, 2010 15:58:28 GMT
prefer over than back at the knee. As to seeing several do well, yes so have I and I've judged them but you have to take into account what else is there in the ring on the day. Already this season I have wanted to throw my hands up in despair at the lack of a good "leg" on entire classfuls of animals let alone a winner. And it's mainly not producers but ignorant amateurs who don't take kindly to a diplomatic mention of said limb faults. But 'andsome is as 'andsome does and I have an over at the knee, pigeon toed beasty who has done 4 seasons hunting and open team chased regularly without a day lame.
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Post by armada on May 20, 2010 17:47:53 GMT
Swings and roundabouts, I do dis-like it, but by the same token it may be a very nice pattern in all other respects, and the others in the class could possibly give veterinary students a very good grounding in bad conformation. There is a very nice in all other respects stallion, who is much used, and does exceedingly well both inhand and under saddle, BUT is so obviously over at the knee it beggars belief. When I stood reserve champion to him a few years ago, I had the opportunity of having a very close look at him as before then was quite interested in him for one of my mares. All I could see was his knees, once at home, I went on the stud website, and the picture on there quite obviously showed the fault. I cant imagine the owner was so ignorant to not know, but really, are all the owners who send their mares to him so blind, or uneducated, or are they just hoping that he wont pass it on? I see countless examples every year of badly conformed animals, that I would probably mark down more harshly, but their owners are either blissfully ignorant or front you up when you draw their attention to it. Having said that, I've had the odd one with conformation faults which have given me a good few years work, outside the show ring, but have eventually come home to roost.
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