Base narrow?

[Horses_and_ponies]

Hi all,

I have a yearling who was very correct when born but hasn’t really widened in front over the last year. She has very little space between the top of her two front legs compared to others in her herd and I just wondered if anyone had experienced similar and what they did to try to remedy it? Farrier is coming this week so I will be having asking for his recommendations too.

She is very straight and a lovely mover but I’m a bit concerned about how close her front legs are as she grows.

Thanks in advance

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My friend bred a welsh mountain foal who quite literally had both legs coming out of the same hole at birth. She grew up into a lovely pony who went on to do really well. Fingers crossed yours will improve with maturity. Main thing is that she moves straight.

 

[ycbm]

Sorry to correct you, but she isn't base narrow, base narrow is where the chest is wider than where the forelegs hit the floor, and when I had one like it I read that it can predispose to strain of the inner branches of the suspensories, which is exactly what happened with mine.

She should widen in time, hopefully. Meanwhile as Errin says it's more important that she's straight.

 

[Quigleyandme]

One of my ID babies was so fugly I thought he could only ever be a pet. He had a huge head, weak neck, long back, cow hocks, the list of confirmation defects could involve every part of his body. He is now four and despite growing far too big is a lovely horse and a Rolls Royce ride.

 

[Horses_and_ponies]

Sorry to correct you, but she isn't base narrow, base narrow is where the chest is wider than where the forelegs hit the floor, and when I had one like it I read that it can predispose to strain of the inner branches of the suspensories, which is exactly what happened with mine.

She should widen in time, hopefully. Meanwhile as Errin says it's more important that she's straight.

Thanks for the clarification ycbm, that makes more sense I just didn’t know the correct title for it. Tried to edit the title but it won’t allow me.

Thanks for the reassurance though everyone, she’s a really lovely filly (perhaps a bit on the short side height wise but a lovely straight mover with a temperament to die for) so hopefully as she grows she’ll widen more. I was just worried that as she’s already a yearling and it hasn’t happened perhaps she would need more intervention. Thanks!

 

[tda]

Yearlings often do go through stages like this. As others have said, as long as it moves straight, Keep it happy with lots of turnout and the development will come

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I've always said if you have a good yearling you will have a crap 2yo but a decent 3yo. If you have a crap yearling they are better at 2 & 4yo than 3yo.

Give her time. She will widen in front as she grows just don't expect much of her this year.

 

[tda]

I've always said if you have a good yearling you will have a crap 2yo but a decent 3yo. If you have a crap yearling they are better at 2 & 4yo than 3yo.

Give her time. She will widen in front as she grows just don't expect much of her this year.

True

 

[ycbm]

Thanks for the clarification ycbm, that makes more sense I just didn’t know the correct title for it. Tried to edit the title but it won’t allow me.

Thanks for the reassurance though everyone, she’s a really lovely filly (perhaps a bit on the short side height wise but a lovely straight mover with a temperament to die for) so hopefully as she grows she’ll widen more. I was just worried that as she’s already a yearling and it hasn’t happened perhaps she would need more intervention. Thanks!

In theory, since her forelegs are only attached via soft tissue and no joints, it should be possible to find some exercises to widen her chest. I've absolutely no idea if this is possible or even safe in a yearling, I'm hoping you might get some advice from an expert along soon.
.

 

[Red-1]

I would have a look at the Celeste stuff. I was sceptical but found the free 1 hour video worth watching. As it mainly involves them standing and relaxing, or walking and relaxing, it can't really do any harm.

https://btmmacademy.com/spaces/11109662/page

For some reason, only the one with subtitles worked for me.

I've not used it as-is, but it has explained in a fabulous way why I do what I do when ridden and I now know what I mean when I say that a horse has to work on the bit even when they are not on the contact. It changes their whole way of going. I now know a better way to explain it.

As yours is too young to ride, the in hand exercises, at halt especially, would be interesting.

 

[Horses_and_ponies]

I've always said if you have a good yearling you will have a crap 2yo but a decent 3yo. If you have a crap yearling they are better at 2 & 4yo than 3yo.

Give her time. She will widen in front as she grows just don't expect much of her this year.

I like this analogy! Thank you

 

[Horses_and_ponies]

I would have a look at the Celeste stuff. I was sceptical but found the free 1 hour video worth watching. As it mainly involves them standing and relaxing, or walking and relaxing, it can't really do any harm.

https://btmmacademy.com/spaces/11109662/page

For some reason, only the one with subtitles worked for me.

I've not used it as-is, but it has explained in a fabulous way why I do what I do when ridden and I now know what I mean when I say that a horse has to work on the bit even when they are not on the contact. It changes their whole way of going. I now know a better way to explain it.

As yours is too young to ride, the in hand exercises, at halt especially, would be interesting.

Thanks a mill, I’ll have a look at the video

 

[Goldenstar]

I would not worry to much .
As they mature they develop their thoracic sling and this in all likely hood will just disappear .
I have bought several very very narrow in between the front legs horses, one was the classic both legs out of one hole look they developed just fine .

 

[little_critter]

In theory, since her forelegs are only attached via soft tissue and no joints, it should be possible to find some exercises to widen her chest. I've absolutely no idea if this is possible or even safe in a yearling, I'm hoping you might get some advice from an expert along soon.
.

Sorry…this put me in mind of the ‘I must, I must improve my bust’ exercises