Horse Pastern Problems: Identification, Treatment, & More
Horse pasterns are the connective joints between the fetlocks and the hooves. Pasterns are your horse’s “finger” bones. Horses effectively run on the remainder of their thumb and index fingers that have fused into the hoof. The two longest phalanges or phalanxes of the horse’s “fingers” are fused into the … See more
Physical examination may not always be sufficient to diagnose which pastern injury or problem your horse has if they suddenly pull up lame. Even x … See more
Conformation contributes a lot to the horse’s ability to work and remain sound. When horses have elongated pastern bones, there is an increased likelihood of specific injuries due to the additional pressure on a part of the body. Longer pasterns tend to … See more
Horses apply tremendous pressure to their hooves due to training and strain that is often felt by performance horses. Damage to the sensitive … See more
- What is the pastern in a horse?
- A pastern is the area where the long pastern bone passes the coronet band. …
- What does a pastern do?
- The pastern joint is slightly flexible, but its main function is to ab… See more
7 common conformation faults and their effect on health
- Over-straight hindleg. A hindleg with insufficient angulation between the …
- Splints. Although not always the case, splints are sometimes caused by poor …
- Upright pasterns. The hoof-pastern axis is an important conformational …
- Hoof conformation. All stresses in the limbs go through the feet, so it is …
- Long or short neck. “A long or short neck may affect the way the horse rides …
Conformation of the Pasterns and Hooves of Horses
A short, upright pastern increases concussion on the joints and can predispose a horse to arthritis or navicular disease. This type of conformation is often associated with straight …
How to Identify Pastern Problems - Equus Magazine
May 11, 2023 · Lumps below the fetlock on your horse's pastern can mean trouble. Here's how to identify irregularities on the horse's pastern and learn which are serious problems and which are merely blemishes.
Ask Your Veterinarian: Much Ado About Pastern …
Oct 25, 2017 · On the other hand, horses that are upright have this conformation because those supporting structures are shorter and don’t allow the fetlock and pastern to drop. Upright horses are in fact the...
Pastern - Wikipedia
Short, upright pasterns are often seen in draft horses. This is because draft horses bred for pulling rather than riding (and so they were not selected for smooth gaits of a saddle horse), and because upright pasterns give more …
Built to Last: Ideal Equine Conformation – The Horse
Jan 3, 2024 · Stress on coffin and pastern joints. Short, upright pasterns: Less shock absorption through the limbs.
Osselets | EquiMed - Horse Health Matters
Aug 5, 2014 · Osselets are caused by repeated pounding of the long pastern bone against the lower end of the cannon bone while a horse is racing or participating in hard training. Stretching and tearing of the fetlock joint capsule …
All About the Horse's Conformation/Part 3 - Horse Hints
Aug 7, 2010 · A horse's pasterns are short if they are less than 1/2 length of cannon. The pasterns are upright if they are angled more toward the vertical. A long, upright pastern has …
A horse may have a straight HPA which is either sloping (less than 47° fore), normal (48° to 55° fore), or upright (greater than 56° fore). This may be breed dependant, for example in a …
