Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
There are also some lines of Morgan horses that have sway backs. I knew of one that had a long and useful working life, although when you first saw her you would think "how?"
Is Conformation Always the Most Important Thing?
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There are also some lines of Morgan horses that have sway backs. I knew of one that had a long and useful working life, although when you first saw her you would think "how?"
Pigeon
Well-Known Member
Actually I think temperament is everything 
But why buy a horse with bad conformation? Or more importantly, why breed it? There will be exceptions - horses that made it despite limitations, there always are, but they are unusual and that is why people discuss them. Personally, I feel that if you are paying a lot of money, for a horse that will be pushed athletically and hopefully stay sound into old age, don't get something that has innate weaknesses.
Sway backs & ewe necks improve with correct work. Turned in feet and straight hocks won't.
But why buy a horse with bad conformation? Or more importantly, why breed it? There will be exceptions - horses that made it despite limitations, there always are, but they are unusual and that is why people discuss them. Personally, I feel that if you are paying a lot of money, for a horse that will be pushed athletically and hopefully stay sound into old age, don't get something that has innate weaknesses.
Sway backs & ewe necks improve with correct work. Turned in feet and straight hocks won't.
tristar
Well-Known Member
i actually quite like the baloubet de rouet horse as a type of horse, its the overall package that counts and how the horse delivers, a sway back would not put me off a horse.
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Lol I've got the exception to this - *some* turned in feet will improve, I really wish I had photos and video of K when I first got her - she was so pigeon toed and had a horrible dishing movement. Her feet look straight now and her movement is nearly 100% correct, I wouldn't remark on it if I saw her for the first time now. She was so, so weak and out of condition, I guess getting her muscles working properly has tightened everything up at the top of her legs... she appears taller too but can't have grown skeletally, being 12 this time.
Hocks though... yup reckon you'd be stuck with them :lol:
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Actually I think temperament is everything
But why buy a horse with bad conformation? Or more importantly, why breed it?
TBF this chap is pretty well bred! As confirmed by the successes of his siblings.
pennandh
Well-Known Member
Conformation is not the absolute be-all and end-all, but it is important in terms of estimating probable soundness and way of movement. Some horses do manage to perform in spite of less-than-ideal conformation, and that is what competition records should tell you when considering a new purchase, but it's a bit of a gamble taking on something that's not at least reasonably well put together, and I wouldn't personally.
There are compromises that I am willing to make as regards conformation, but I wouldn't take that showjumper if it was free, even given the record, because it wouldn't suit my requirements. Can't be dealing with upright shoulders and backs like that when I am in desperate need of something with a long, low, pendulum-like stride. Don't think much of its leg either, to be honest, but I am dreadfully picky in that department.
There are compromises that I am willing to make as regards conformation, but I wouldn't take that showjumper if it was free, even given the record, because it wouldn't suit my requirements. Can't be dealing with upright shoulders and backs like that when I am in desperate need of something with a long, low, pendulum-like stride. Don't think much of its leg either, to be honest, but I am dreadfully picky in that department.
Rosiejazzandpia
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's everything but it is important to have decent ish put together horse that suits the purpose you've got it for.
Having said that my first pony was a sway backed welsh cross with horrendously shaped back legs. She lived a long and healthy life with no issues at all. Retired at 31 and died when she was 38. The only issue the vet found was a little arthritis in her front and back legs. The sway back never proved to be an issue and she died of a heart attack in the field. She was a confidence giving hacker with a heart of gold, and as my first pony she was brilliant .
Having said that my first pony was a sway backed welsh cross with horrendously shaped back legs. She lived a long and healthy life with no issues at all. Retired at 31 and died when she was 38. The only issue the vet found was a little arthritis in her front and back legs. The sway back never proved to be an issue and she died of a heart attack in the field. She was a confidence giving hacker with a heart of gold, and as my first pony she was brilliant .