dizz4
Well-Known Member
Recently we had a horse for sale and someone came up to try the horse but said he was too close behind, what does this mean and is it really a problem....?
dizz4
dizz4
What does it mean if a horse is too close behind...?
- Thread starter dizz4
- Start date
JillA
Well-Known Member
It means he might possibly brush with his hind legs. It is generally an immature thing and improves with correct schooling. Only a problem if he is a very narrow horse anyway and unlikely to improve much because he is too narrow behind.
Janah
Well-Known Member
My understanding is the hind legs are likely to brush against one another causing bruising and maybe cuts. Usually around the fetlock area. A conformation fault.
If you have never had that problem maybe an excuse for not buying?
I'm sure someone will come along and explain it better or have a different take on it.
If you have never had that problem maybe an excuse for not buying?
I'm sure someone will come along and explain it better or have a different take on it.
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
Just what it says on the tin - the hind legs are too close together. Can be due to conformation, immaturity or poor foot balance. Hen toed behind is a major cause. It will make the horse likely to brush but can also put stress on the horse elsewhere- hence potentially an issue for a buyer.
Achinghips
Well-Known Member
I had a Tb like that .... Cost me a fortune in vets bills as did the complications caused by turnout socks to protect her. Don't ask. I still need therapy but the rocking backwards and forwards and the wrenching of my clothes has stopped.
NaeNae87
Well-Known Member
It could also be muscle related. His gracilis (that nice soft squishy bit right up between his back legs) could be tight exaggerating his closeness behind. He could have had poor hoof balance in the past which has caused his muscles to form a preferred holding pattern.
It could also be conformational.
My TB is base narrow in front, and I believe this contributed to him damaging his Suspensory ligament when he raced... based on the brush marks on his boots after he is worked. It hasn't caused me any problems, I just make sure he has boots on when ridden (I like open fronts as they offer more protection where he brushes) and when I do Bowen and Photonic Red Light Therapy on him, I make sure I release the appropriate muscles.
It could also be conformational.
My TB is base narrow in front, and I believe this contributed to him damaging his Suspensory ligament when he raced... based on the brush marks on his boots after he is worked. It hasn't caused me any problems, I just make sure he has boots on when ridden (I like open fronts as they offer more protection where he brushes) and when I do Bowen and Photonic Red Light Therapy on him, I make sure I release the appropriate muscles.