Sway backs...

[Cadfael&Coffee]

Purely out of curiosity-

Is it genetic? Does it affect the horses movement?

Would/ has anyone bred from one?

Would a sway backed mare have problems carrying a foal? (looks like it would be v uncomfortable)

Do sway backs have any long term muscular problems they are prone to as a result?

Personally I wouldn't breed from one, but what do you lot think?

 

[Kokopelli]

It depends how the horse got the swayed back, some of them get them from the enviorment and some are born with them. If she wasn't born with one I would probably breed from her, but then again I'm not sure how thsi would affect carrying foal.

As for movement, my boy has a slight swayed back, made worse by lack of muscle and he moves quite well for a TB.

As for long term muscular problems I would expect if not looked after properlly they probably would but if looked after well I think they are fine.

Sorry not much help

 

[Cadfael&Coffee]

Yeah that's what I thought, but i've had no direct experience with one.

I know u get older horses which are dippy backed, but I've never heard of a youngster like that before

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Sorry for posting this again but I can't copy&paste the bit I want.

http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
Read pages 11 and 12 for info about dipped/sway backs.

 

[Cadfael&Coffee]

Thanks Faracat!!!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

No problem.

 

[Penny Less]

A horse with a congenital sway back I know has done advanced dressage. However, there are issues now with arthritis, kissing spines, as he has aged.