Are some breeds/types sounder than others, or is it management..

Meowy Catkin

Meowy Catkin

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... that has a greater impact on long term soundness (barring conformational faults)?

I've been pondering this as I was asked what breeds are the soundest by a friend who is possibly looking for a new horse. What are your thoughts?
 
I'd say it's down to correct confirmation for the job required and assessing, honestly, your horse's shortfalls for your chosen discipline and then managing accordingly?
 
I agree with amymay, although I do see heavier breeds as being more robust in regard to injuries etc, although I'm not sure if its more phycological ie lovely chucky cob = indestructible .... Pretty fine Arab = needs anchoring down in strong winds. I'm sure there are cases of recurrent lameness and soundness regardless of breed/ type.
 
Faracat said:
... that has a greater impact on long term soundness (barring conformational faults)?

I've been pondering this as I was asked what breeds are the soundest by a friend who is possibly looking for a new horse. What are your thoughts?
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Do you mean sound in wind and limb? I remember reading that the Friesian horse suffer from a high incidence of Megaesophagus which has been suggested is common to the breed - so in that context I suppose so.
 
Well my lot haven't blown away yet! ;)

The job my friend has in mind is hacking (very hilly) and local level shows. It may not sound tough, but anything with a hint of wind, back and/or lameness problems doesn't cope with the terrain.

I did wonder about suggesting that she gets in touch with our local Welsh Studs as I often drive past and see their stock out on the hills, so they are used to them and any not coping with the terrain would be evident.
 
DG - yes some breeds do have genetic problems/conditions. I didn't know about Friesians and Megaesophagus - it sounds horrible. Hopefully as more DNA tests are developed, these conditions can be bred out.
 
Faracat said:
DG - yes some breeds do have genetic problems/conditions. I didn't know about Friesians and Megaesophagus - it sounds horrible. Hopefully as more DNA tests are developed, these conditions can be bred out.
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Hopefully, remember the QH stud Impressive? Impressive syndrome is named after him! I do think that some breeds will have more issues than others.

ETA - in my opinion
 
amymay said:
No, because if you breed from an unsound horse it doesn't matter what thw breed is - you're just duplicating the problem.
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Do breeds with gradings have a lower instance of lameness due to poor conformation?

Lameness due to injury is another matter of course.

doriangrey said:
Hopefully, remember the QH stud Impressive? Impressive syndrome is named after him! I do think that some breeds will have more issues than others.

ETA - in my opinion
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Is that another name for HYPP?
 
doriangrey said:
Do you mean sound in wind and limb? I remember reading that the Friesian horse suffer from a high incidence of Megaesophagus which has been suggested is common to the breed - so in that context I suppose so.
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Friesians are incredibly inbred, which means that they are heir to an impressive array of congenital problems. Many breeds are inbred (TB's for one), that is how characteristics are "fixed" - explained to me by an old, wise breeder as "When it works it's called line breeding; when it goes wrong it's called inbreeding".
 
I'm not sure that good conformation always guarantees soundness. My last TB had dreadful conformation but was rarely lame (only really lame after he had been kicked) whereas my current TB who people rave about having lovely conformation is a walking disaster in the lameness stakes!
 
I suppose it's open to interpretation. I mean I'm not a zoologist (if that's the right term), but is it the same for all domesticated breeds (including dogs and cats)? Some breeds of horses are susceptible to sweet itch, some can be prone to long backs etc I guess all these could be soundness problems (sorry not trying to be too pedantic). The poor Friesian seems to have a whole host of problems. OP's original question is really interesting. Regarding Impressive, if HYPP is muscle tremors then I think so. I believe that there is a lot of genetic testing to make sure that QH's are free now (Spring Feather would be the one to ask), but Impressive was the most sought after stud of his time because he really looked impressive. Unfortunately he hid this terrible genetic condition which I believe was passed on without fail.
 
Here's another thing. Cow hocks are supposed to be a fault of conformation - yet apparently in full gallop (slight) cow hocks are advantageous as the angle stops them plowing into the fronts.
 
Cortez said:
Friesians are incredibly inbred, which means that they are heir to an impressive array of congenital problems. Many breeds are inbred (TB's for one), that is how characteristics are "fixed" - explained to me by an old, wise breeder as "When it works it's called line breeding; when it goes wrong it's called inbreeding".
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I've heard that qoute said before, but about dog breeding.
 
I've been pondering this subject tonight now. Had have come to the conclusion that if your friend were to buy somthing with good breeding, who's breed origin is used to the conditions in which it is kept and worked, has sound conformation, is fed accordingly and feet are well cared for... It could still go lame haha!
You can take all precautions to aid prevention but fate/luck cannot be accounted for.
 
Gypley said:
I've been pondering this subject tonight now. Had have come to the conclusion that if your friend were to buy somthing with good breeding, who's breed origin is used to the conditions in which it is kept and worked, has sound conformation, is fed accordingly and feet are well cared for... It could still go lame haha!
You can take all precautions to aid prevention but fate/luck cannot be accounted for.
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This is true, but you can stack the odds in your favour by sticking to short, fat and hairy. :)
 
I have 2 horses of the same breed! one 28yrs old and one 3yrs old. in 13yrs of owning the old girl, she's gone lame once, from charging around the field and pulling a shoe! the 3yr old on the other hand, in the last year has been lame a couple of times, luckily only abscess' but has been kicked numerous times and swollen up like a balloon each time, had numerous unexplained swellings on his legs, with no visible signs of injuries. has been on anti b's, steroid injection, 50 steroid tables every other day, 20 steroid tablets every day! not sure whether I have just been very lucky with the mare, unlucky with the boy or if its just because he's a sensitive youngster!
 
Management and luck, I think.

I always assumed that horses with more bone were the soundest, but the two cobs at our farm have had some of the worst lameness problems (not caused by accidents) on the yard. :(

I would say though that our two ISH are much more footsure than my tb.

I think looking for a horse with good conformation and movement is wiser than looking for a specific breed. In my experience ALL horses are fragile and accident prone!
 
In my horsey 'career' I have had one dartmoor pony, one TB x New Forest, one full TB, one pony Irish bog pony cob, one welsh B and a shire x TB.

One of them had more lameness due to injury (mostly self inflicted) than all the others put together. I wonder if you can guess which one?
 
I remember my vet warning me off a particular stallion as his stock had a high percentage of ringbone.

Conformation, management and genetics play a big part in producing a horse that will hopefully stay sound.

Always look into the history of the horse, both sides but also find out about other horses by the sire.
 
Hoggedmane, this is off topic, but how do you find you shire x tb temperament wise? I have a 2 y/o shire x *somthing coloured* who is a lovely boy, but proving to be extremely clever! Not nasty in the slightest, but very testing and likes to push the boundaries :) have read that shire x's can be quite hot ? How do you find yours ?
 
The problem with short fat and hairy is that these sorts are often prone to laminitis. Horses with feathers can also get feather mite problems.

I'd say a lot of it is about luck and management. Luck being the main thing. However if you can start off with a horse with good conformation for the job you want it to do and from a line without history of problems then at least you are giving yourself as a good a starting point as possible.

pennyturner said:
This is true, but you can stack the odds in your favour by sticking to short, fat and hairy. :)
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Gypley said:
Hoggedmane, this is off topic, but how do you find you shire x tb temperament wise? I have a 2 y/o shire x *somthing coloured* who is a lovely boy, but proving to be extremely clever! Not nasty in the slightest, but very testing and likes to push the boundaries :) have read that shire x's can be quite hot ? How do you find yours ?
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Sorry to jump in but thought I'd try to help answer your question. I have a TBxShire who has a lovely temperament, but like yours is intelligent and is curious beyond belief. And yes he can be hot, especially after time off, but settles well in consistent work.

Hogged mane, I'm dying to know which on was the injury prone one! (I suspect the TBxShire, simply because mine has got himself into his fair share of trouble)
 
She is fantastic fun - always keen to go and do anything. She is very fast (as fast as the arab on the yard) and loves to gallop and jump. She is bombproof until a blade of grass moves in a suspect way. Last week she nearly had me off doing a 180 because she caught a glimpse of some sheep under the bridge we were approaching. She then got in a state as I was asking her to go near the horse eating creatures. I had to get off and lead her. As soon as she saw they were sheep she went back to her normal self. She likes to be kept occupied and busy and if she thinks we are going round the block ( a boring hack in her mind) she will do some ride enhancement to liven it up. She comes to call - in the winter at a gallop so you have to watch where you stand.

In the school she has fantastic paces and I only have to think about a transition as she is so keen to please. my instructor refers to going up a pace as if she says the word then Mira does it straight away. So yes she is very clever but also keen to do what she is asked. She is never malicious or nasty. She is the boss in the field but does it all with faces and mind control. I was told I should have done affiliated dressage on her when I took her on a course a few years ago.

She is 22 now and still the same. People at sponsored rides ask me if she is a baby as she gets so excited. I think the fact she spent the first 6 years of her ridden life being hunted has lead her to expect hounds at every horsey gathering.

I love her and don't know how I will ever find another like her. I would definitely get another shire X.
 
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