Looking to buy a horse with a long back - views?

How long is long? It is a bit hard to judge without photos :)

In general: It would depend what the I wanted the horse for, i.e. does its conformation have to be as good as possible or does the temperament, experience etc. more than compensate?
 
Um....... stoopid question, but WHY do you want to buy a horse with a long back?

If you do want one with a long back, for whatever reason, then you'd probably be best to avoid the Arabian breed or any cross-bred thereof, as I think I'm right in saying that they've got one less rib and therefore a shorter back??? Dunno if I'm right, no doubt someone will correct me if not.
 
W have a horse with long back she is fine but I only do low level stuff, but did have back man to her the other day and now she doesn't seem any where as long!
 
You do look at it naked and your eye is drawn straight to that's quite a long back! However I hve never liked too shorter coupled! I dont want to do any quick against the clock classes and I don't indulge in showing so looks aren't that important, haven't been to see it yet was just sent photos-but in paper everything else is ticked-apart from this quite straight long back lol don't really want to post a photo, he looks fine tacked up tho.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Um....... stoopid question, but WHY do you want to buy a horse with a long back?

If you do want one with a long back, for whatever reason, then you'd probably be best to avoid the Arabian breed or any cross-bred thereof, as I think I'm right in saying that they've got one less rib and therefore a shorter back??? Dunno if I'm right, no doubt someone will correct me if not.
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I'm just guessing but perhaps so that the horse can take a longer seat, say 18.5? I would be inclined to look at Cleveland bays
 
I'd definitely go and see it - if everything else about it is what you want then I wouldn't worry about a slightly long back. Were you worried from a veterinary point of view or a performance point of view?
 
IMO it depends on what you want to do with the horse. Obviously a long back is going to be weaker and will make it more difficult for the horse to bring its back legs underneath to work correctly. If you just want a happy hacker or light work then it shouldn't cause much if a problem, but I would still have it checked regularly. If you want to compete seriously it probably isn't a good buy.
 
Sometimes if you look at pro rider's books on training young horses they often have a section on choosing horses and discussing horses they are currently competing. Quite often some of them have glaring flaws, which they point out. Yet all the horses are doing very well at high level eventing and the likes of WFP have happily taken them on... They're often very interesting sections of the books and put fussiness over certain things in proportion.

I would go and have a look in the flesh if you like everything else about it. Often it will seem totally different in "real life" and you can make a better decision.
 
I don't think OP is specifically seeking a horse with a long back, just this one has one!

I would be a bit worried about the back being weaker as I am of solid proportions myself, I like a short back. No other concerns really though so it may not be a problem since you are not looking for a world beater!
 
Mandwhy - your right no I didn't go out to look for a long backed horse but he has come up and ticks every other box so far! Do I go and try? Or am I going to fall for him and there be medical probs. I know it's how long is a piece of cheese scenario just wondered about other people's views/experiences
 
A lot of top jumpers are very long, more time to get the back end out the way over a fence

My mare is very long and ceainly doesnt affect her ability to track up well or jump
 
My mar has a long back, not helped by being a bit rump high and a big belly. However I only do low level dressage, jumping, hacking etc and never had a problem in five years (she is 16yrs). There is no way of knowing whether it would stand up to harder work although she did do novice eventing in her last home with no issues.

My only issue is that it means she doesnt look like she is stepping under or working from behind as hardly any over track. Our walks and free walks are never marked particularly high and it can look like her backend is trailiing away...

However for me she ticks every box. A horse with non perfect conformation is going to be more prone to problems but then horses being horses do stupid things and injure themselves tripping over a blade of grass. Go and see him and as long as he isn't a large amount of money and you get him vetted then he might just be the one for you.
 
I have a horse with a long back (and I am also of more solid proportions) but we are happy hackers although he used to do a bit of jumping. He is now 20 years old and its only in the last 6 months that we have had a few problems, mainly with his pelvis. However, he has just been diagnosed with low grade bilateral arthritis in his hocks which we think is the reason for his wonky pelvis.
 
I don't think that a long back is a massive problem - certainly there is enough debate out there as to whether it is actually a good thing for a long back to not put me off buying a horse (in fact I have two of them!).

The downsides are that the horse could have a weaker back, but if you are aware of this then you can make sure that you do strengthening work (hills, raised trotting poles etc) to ensure that they have a good topline to support themselves.

The upsides are that saddle fitting will be less difficult, they are usually more comfortable to ride and there is less risk of kissing spines (as this usually happens in short backed horses which have spinous processes that sit closely together).

In contrast to Jericho:
My only issue is that it means she doesnt look like she is stepping under or working from behind as hardly any over track.
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My long backed mare overtracks significantly in walk, so it'll just depend on how the horse is put together i.e. long backed doesn't necessarily mean issues with over tracking.
 
I have just bought a horse with a slightly long back. Physio commented on it originally so asked vet when he came out to do flu jab and he said I would say its a medium/slightly long back and nothing to worry about. Horse is also croup high but then physio did a tummy lift to show me how he's going to look once we've got some topline on him and his bottom will be totally in proportion. He should be absolutely fine.

I have had issues with too short coupled horses and fitting saddles - I have a long thigh to knee and ride short so actually having a bit of length at the back can only help me!!

I am not intending to do Badminton or HOYS and my horse is purely a hunter so I am not worried at all. If the horse ticks all the boxes then I would say go for it. There are so many people who say "I won't touch a horse with this or that because that's going to happen to them and they'll break and then die" but actually if the horse is lovely and you are happy - that's the most important thing. Its hard enough to find the right horse with the right temperament and that suits you, if he/she has a slightly long back - does it really matter?!! If you like him, get him vetted and speak to the vet about what they think. Chances are they will say it doesn't matter a stuff.
 
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