SECTION C Conformation Foot, Shoeing and Lameness, Vetting

Question 1

How does conformation influence the way of going, please give examples, starting with this horse, then describe another horse you know?

Answer 1

Sloping shoulder has a longer stride. Upright shoulder have shorter strides. Upright hocks jump better. Swayback struggle to work over their back. Ewe neck tend to find it hard to work in an outline and carry their head correctly. Splayfeet tend to have interference against the other leg. Pigeon toed horse tend to plait.

Question 2

Why does conformation affect the type of work suitable for different horses?

Answer 2

Straight hocked horses will be better jumpers, long backs and small joints won’t be good weight carriers. Horses with straight shoulders won’t have the stretch to be dressage horses, horses lacking a deep chest are less likely to use their oxygen well. Significant limb deformity’s aren’t going to be able to do long endurance work.

Question 3

Explain how you would teach a horse to trot up.

Answer 3

Pressure and release, reward

Question 4

Why do we trot horses up?

Answer 4

To check for lameness, stiffness, to see how they move

Question 5

What are you looking for when you watch a horse trotted up?

Answer 5

Head nods, tail swishing, ear movements, under flexion of certain joints,

Question 6

What ways of moving would give you cause for concern if you wanted a horse to hunt/BE100/PC100 or show jump at the lower levels?

Answer 6

Shortened stride, splayed out feet, very small joints,

Question 7

List conformation findings around the head and neck and their significance.

Answer 7

Ewe neck- very short in front.
Dish nose- breathing problems

Question 8

List conformation findings of the forelimb and their significance.

Answer 8

Over at the knee- unsightly, however better than over at the knee as less strain is put on the tendons.
Round joints- can show signs of ringworm
Splints- usually not too problematic when dormant, however clusters or unhealed ones could cause lameness

Question 9

List conformation findings of the hindlimb and their significance

Answer 9

Overstraight hocks- if subjected to excessive concussions would be prone to spavins.
Small hocks- could easily spring a curb

Question 10

Talk about foot conformation and its significance

Answer 10

Poor foot conformation such as bad foot balance can cause lameness and horses can struggle to work properly. It can also cause them pain, and makes them more susceptible to a bruised foot.

Question 11

List conformation associated with the body and back and its signficance.

Answer 11

Swayback- caused pain to the horse.
Low withers- these horses are particularly hard to fit a saddle to as they have nothing to hold it in place

Question 12

How might a horse’s action vary and what are the significance of the things that you have mentioned?

Answer 12

Dish or plait, could cause injury to the inside of the leg, abnormal loading of the joint, could lead to arthritis

Question 13

Describe how an unsound horse may move.

Answer 13

Head will raise on the unsound front leg, drag in should leg, lack impulsion, less willing to go forwards, become crooked

Question 14

How might an unsound horse feel when ridden?

Answer 14

Uneven, lacking energy, stuffy, crooked, less supple, evading the bit, tense

Question 15

What can you do to identify where a horse is lame?

Answer 15

Feeling around, nerve blocking,

Question 16

If I suspected my horse was lame in the hock/shoulder/foot what diagnostic tests can be done, initially by the owner?

Answer 16

Have a look at the walk, trot, look at the legs for wounds swellings, compare to other leg, does the horse react to a certain area being prodded, gentle flexion test,

Question 17

Please describe a 5-stage pre-purchase examination.

Answer 17

Step 1- general examination, looking at the markings compared to the passport. Checking eyes, listening to heart, respiratory rate
Step 2- trot up
Step 3- excercise, in a school ridden or can be on a lunge to get the heart rate up
Step 4- rest period. Checking that the horse recovers well
Step 5- trot up, checking still sound after excercise, flexions

Question 18

Which type of vetting would you chose and why?

Answer 18

I would choose a five stage vetting as I feel that it provides a more comprehensive examination and there are things that wouldn’t be picked up on a two stage, however if I was buying a youngster which is more suitable for them.

Question 19

What type of horses are more likely to have x-rays, why are the potential purchasers asking for x-rays?

Answer 19

Horses that are going to be worth more money eg racehorses or higher level eventers, show jumpers or dressage horse. It is to check for abnormalities within the horses grill

Question 20

What is the purpose of a blood test?

Answer 20

So that if any problems occur after purchase that may hold the previous owners liable they can check for sedative, bute etc.

Question 21

Tell me what is involved in scoping a horse and why might you request this test?

Answer 21

It is to check for gastric ulcers, you might request one if you are seeing the symptoms of ulcers. Horses aren’t allowed to eat for 12 hours and a tube is inserted into the esophoghas and looks at the stomach

Question 22

Why is the balance of the foot important?

Answer 22

If the foot isn’t balanced correctly then you have abnormal weight distribution and abnormal loading of the joints so the joints will wear out quicker. T will affect the action of the joint as well.

Question 23

How can the balance of a foot be of dis/advantage to the long-term soundness of the horse?

Answer 23

If you have an abnormal foot balance there will be abnormal loading of the joints and the joints will wear out quicker leading to a greater risk of not being sound in the future. Having an uneven foot balance can cause sheared heels

Question 24

Can anything be done to address poor foot balance?

Answer 24

They can trim them to try and even the balance. They can also shoe to encourage correct foot growth.

Question 25

Explain how the breed of horse may affect the foot balance?

Answer 25

cobby horses will have boxier feet, whereas thoroughbreds will have flat feet. draught horses will have dinner plate feet

Question 26

How might a horse’s movement affect the wear on the shoes?

Answer 26

If they overreach they are more likely to pull shoes, horses with pigeon toed stance the outside is going to wear more, and if they are splayfooted they would be more worn on the inside

Question 27

Why may we need to use pads when shoeing?

Answer 27

Laminitis, bruised soles, thin soles.

Question 28

Have you experienced working horse’s wearing pads, please tell me about them

Answer 28

Not a working horse, but a laminitc pony who wore them.

Question 29

Explain some conditions that might require corrective shoeing

Answer 29

Raised heels with tendon injuries, special shoes to reduce the pressure on corns, bar shoes for sheared heels and fractured pidle bones

Question 30

Who should decide whether your horse needs remedial shoeing?

Answer 30

The farrier and the vet if they have been involved with treating the issue

Question 31

What is the difference between and infectious and a contagious disease?

Answer 31

A infectious disease is an illness caused by microbes coming into the body, a contagious disease is one that can spread between animals

Question 32

Please show me where you might find an overreach, when is this injury of concern?

Answer 32

On the back of the heel, if there was a wound, if they are not vaccinated for tentanus

Question 33

What is PPID (Cushing’s)? How may it be treated?

Answer 33

Hyperplaysia, an enlargement of part of the pituitary gland which affects some hormone productions within the body leading to the symptoms. Symptoms- reduced ability to shed coat, thickening of coat, increased thirst, increased risk of laminitis, pot belly appearance, muscle weakness

Question 34

Have you ever dealt with a horse that has come down in the road and damaged its knees? What do you know about this type of knee injury?

Answer 34

No, but it is they stumble on the road and can fall onto their knees. It can cause scarring and blemishe which people may be concerned about if people are purchasing the horse. They can be bad when bits of grit get into the knee or when the cuts got deep enough through to the joint fluid where an infection can be caused

Question 35

What might alert you to a damaged tendon, where would you find it and what actions might you take?

Answer 35

Between the knee and the fetlock, behind the cannon bone. Heat, swelling, lameness, pain upon a squeeze. You could cold hose it, keep it on box rest, call the vet

Question 36

Where might you locate a suspensory problem, discuss the importance of this find?

Answer 36

Between the flexor tendons and the canon bone. Usually closer to the top. It can cause lameness, be difficult to treat, difficult to manage

Question 37

Outline what is meant by kissing spines, what symptoms may be seen. What treatments may alleviate the problem?

Answer 37

When vertebrae in the spine are too close together they overlap. Sensitivity when grooming, putting saddle on and doing up girth. Unusual stiffness, hollowing or head tossing that the horse doesn’t usually do. Problems with striking off on the correct canter lead. Rearing, napping, however KS horses don’t commonly buck as it can cause them more pain. Poor performance. Treatment options: rest and anti inflammatory, physiotherapy, strengthening of core muscles, correction of poor saddle fit and surgery.

Question 38

Please describe what the vet may record in the horse’s passport at the end of a visit.

Answer 38

Record of vaccinations that may have been given or an update to the horses details.

Question 39

Please name three conditions that may affect the foot.

Answer 39

laminitis, navicular disease, abcess.

Question 40

Have you looked after a horse with a foot condition? Tell me about your programme of care?

Answer 40

Laminitis ponies. Box rest, pads in her feet, Bute, change of diet as she was taking in too many sugars.

Question 41

What is the current treatment for navicular syndrome?

Answer 41

There is lots of different parts around the navicular bone which can be affected. Remedial shoeing, anti inflammatory, steroid injections into the joints around the navicular bone,

Question 42

What can be the long-term prognosis for laminitis?

Answer 42

Lots of horses will return to full work after correct treatment, however a lot of laminates cases are caused by hormonal problems such as cushions and EMS so management changes may be needed to help the horse t0 recover fully

Question 43

What foot conditions do you consider especially worrying, why?

Answer 43

Pidle bone fracture that goes into the joint as even if you repair it the horse is likely to get artiritis in that joint, severe laminitisbecause it can be extremely painful and hard to get the foot right again, penetration of the navicular bursa because infection in the navicular very hard to treat