BSPA Judges Conference 2014

Optimising Show Horse Performance,

With Particular Reference to the Athletic Spine and Head Carriage

Jane Nixon MRCVS

First ImpressionsFill the eye !

CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS

• Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance

–Unbalanced

Woodlander Farouche ; supermodel of the dressage world with the WOW factor

The Show Horse with the WOW factor

• Go Forward• Good rhythm & cadence• Correct flight path limbs• Supple spine• Comfortable ride• Temperament pertinent to class• Fit for purpose for job in hand

UNSTEADY HEAD CARRIAGEUncomfortable

UnbalancedNot going forward

HeadshakingVoluntary [controlled by

horse]Involuntary [not controlled by

horse]

The Athletic Back• Anatomy• LOOK & YOU WILL SEE !!

The skeletal top line and the bird’s eye views show areas of bone available for optimal muscle attachment. i.e.

• Flat of ribs• Side of dorsal processes• Lateral processes of lumbars• Flat of upper hind limb bones

– Ham string and thigh muscles “size”

The Athletic Back

Fore Quarters Hind Quarters

No collar bone Bony Attachments

Back painThe appendicular skeleton Limb abnormalities The axial skeleton Conformation weakness TMJ pain Core muscle weakness Dorsal spinal Ligament tearing Kissing spinesPhysical Trauma Muscle scarring/saddle ill fit Unbalanced ridingDisease Pathological headshaking

Example of conformation faults in the forehand of competition horses

Attention to detail from day 1Producer/Farrier/Vet/Nutritionist

LIMB ABNORMALITIES THE FEET

• SLIGHTLY ODD FRONT FEET

• ESPECIALLY HEEL DEPTH

• NO HEEL SUPPORT

• WEAK HOOF CAPSULES

• SIGN OF LAMINITIS

• UNEVEN HEEL DEPTH → Uneven scapular height → Asymmetrical Shoulders re: saddle fit

MEDIO- LATERAL INBALANCE

LEFT FORE FROM BEHIND

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

Well balanced foot Unbalanced foot

How to assess foot balance, left and right handed farriers

• ALL rotational and angular limb deformities out 8/10 rule

• Overdeveloped muscles indicate lameness behind

The Competition Horse conformational faults

BACK AT THE KNEE

Back at the kneepredisposes to check ligament strain &

inflammation of the knee joints

• Examples of conformation faults causing multifactorial problems in the Competition Horse/hindquaters

THE HINDQUARTERS

• The flatter the pelvis • → More muscle• → Greater strength and flexibility

• STRAIGHT HIND LEGS → Unable to come under the horse

• ACUTE HOCK ANGLE → Less able to carry weight

• TARSAL VALGUS → Risk of Pelvic fractures

Quarters width should be parallel with thighs

HINDLEG

The Competition Horse conformational faults

NORMAL HOCK

HOCK CONFORMATION

Cow HocksPre-dispose to

Pelvic Fractures

Sickle HocksPre-dispose to

Curbs

Back painThe appendicular skeleton Limb abnormalities The axial skeleton Conformation weakness TMJ pain Core muscle weakness Dorsal spinal Ligament tearing Kissing spinesPhysical Trauma Muscle scarring/saddle ill fit Unbalanced ridingDisease Pathological headshaking

THE AXIAL SKELETONThe spine from nose to tail !

Conformation of Dental Arcade

THREE-POINT BALANCE PLUS EXCURSION

Three-point balance refers to the correct function of:-

1. The incisors2. The molars3. The mandibular (jaw) joint

Three-point balance allows normal jaw movements to take place and is achieved by:-

• The removal of hooks• The removal of sharp points which

develop on the outside of the upper and the inside of the lower premolars and molars

• Adjusting the line of the incisors

• HEAD CONFORMATION → JAW JOINT PAIN• → One sidedness• → Head Tilt• → Uneven back muscle development• → Poor saddle fit• → Hind leg lameness

CONFORMATIONAL FAULTS

• Does not fill the eye on 1st appearance– Unbalanced

NECK• Crest fat laminitis

• Hollow in front of withers – dorsal spinal ligament – weak build

up ventral muscles

LONG BACK – More Flexible →SI Disease

ROACH BACK - Unsightly but not usually a problem

SHORT BACK – Kissing Spines

“SLACK LOINS” → SI disease

Core muscles 1

Core muscles 2

CORE STRENGTH

• Critical to build up horse’s and your own core muscle strength.

• Rider ; independent seat• Horse ; steadily increasing fittening• extreme care when riding at • extended trot on weak • young horse

Dorsal spinal ligament

DSL/kissing spines/scarringback pain and lamness

Back painThe appendicular skeleton Limb abnormalities The axial skeleton Conformation weakness TMJ pain Core muscle weakness Dorsal spinal Ligament tearing Kissing spinesPhysical Trauma Muscle scarring/saddle ill fit Unbalanced ridingDisease Pathological headshaking

Rider/horse and pony EMPATHY• Charlotte Dujardine OBE• Balance and harmony with Valegro

Work overload in weak young horse

• will cause • loading of hind quarters• tying up • • leading to • gait on the forehand • splints• joint problems

HEAD CARRIAGE & DISEASE

‘’Headshaking’’Uncontrollable

Involuntary Movement of head

Pathological disorderNOT behavourial problem

SPONTANEOUSLYACCQUIRED DISORDER

1886 !

FIRST 3 MONTHS OF HORSE’S LIFEHerpes

Not seen in high quality TB studsAllodynamic condition : small trigger

causes a huge response

Human Equivalent

Trigeminal neuralgia85% suicide rate

Avoidance of back painFrom Day 1

Laterality/feet balance/nutritionExcercise

Dental arcadeFreedom from Disease

Saddle fit/balanced riding

Thank you any questions please

07713342416jane@nixonequinvetconsultancy.com