517:. The advantage to a short back is that the horse is quick, agile and strong, able to change direction with ease. A horse with this conformation is less likely to have back pain associated with the weight of the rider, especially if well-muscled. A short back is usually associated with being "short coupled," that is, short in the loin, making a horse of this conformation ideal for such agility sports as polo, roping, cutting, and reining. However, a short back can be less flexible if too short, and even ideally-conformed horses with short backs can have "springy" gaits that may cause difficulties for inexperienced riders. A too-short back can lead to spinal arthritis if the horse has difficulty bending.
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short topline is ideal. The underline is where the abdominal muscles are, which, like in humans, can provide tremendous support to the back when well-conditioned. The topline will vary in length and in curvature, with some relationship between the two. When being ridden, a horse's back may either be stiff or relaxed as it moves, depending on the tension and strength of ligaments, muscles or tendons; and is also influenced by training and physical level of condition. The length of the back may affect smoothness of gait, ability to collect and move with agility, limits how much weight the horse can carry, and can impact if a horse might be capable of being laterally
502:. They are sometimes, but not always, associated with long, weak loins. The advantage to a long back is that it is flexible, making the movement of the back flatter, quieter, and makes a smoother ride. Even horses that are not gaited often have a smoother trot and long strides, making them comfortable to ride. On the other hand, it makes it harder for the horse to lift or "round" the back to develop speed or engage the hindquarters for high levels of collection. It takes longer to develop the muscles in a long back, and they are more prone to muscular strain and swayback as they age.
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narrow as to pinch the back and shoulders of the horse. It must not be so long in the tree that it interferes with the horse's hips, though a too-short tree may also create abnormal pressure points, particularly when it is too small for the rider as well. Professional saddlers and saddle-fitters may be able to make small adjustments in better-quality saddles to help them better fit an individual horse, but the underlying structure of the saddle tree cannot be changed and must have an adequate fit from the outset.
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619:(X-Rays) can be used to diagnose potential problems with cracked vertebrae, some forms of arthritis, impinging dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines), and other skeletal problems, although with large, heavily muscled animals this diagnostic modality is limited. Certain types of soft tissue injury can be assessed with other modern diagnostic imaging techniques, such as
253:, will sometimes, but not always, have five lumbar vertebrae and 17 thoracic vertebrae. There appears to be little correlation between back length and number of vertebrae, as many horses with short backs do have the typical number of vertebrae. The length of each vertebra in the lumbar region seems to have the greater influence on the strength of the horse's back.
379:). Horses may also have "well-sprung" ribs or be too narrow, called "slab-sided." A horse may also have very high bony withers, which is not generally a flaw, though they can make a saddle hard to fit. Too low withers, called "mutton withers," can make it difficult to keep a saddle on without rolling or slipping, and may be correlated to a shorter stride.
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If it seems the back pain is caused by an ill-fitting saddle, the saddle should be changed or adjusted, though as an interim measure a horse can be ridden without a saddle or with a saddle pad that is either thicker or thinner, as needed to reduce saddle pressure. To avoid causing back pain caused by
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Ideally, the length of a horse's back from the peak of the withers to the point of the hip should be 1/3 of the horse's overall body length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, excluding head and neck). A horse's back is called "long" if the length exceeds 1/3 and "short" if
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and any event that involves jumping. A swayed back is a predisposing cause of "kissing spines." A sway back can also be linked to back soreness to a horse's saddle because most saddles will "bridge," putting the rider's weight only on the front and the back of the saddle, creating abnormal pressure
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A horse's back and ribcage in cross section is often described as "deep" or "narrow" (sometimes "shallow"), depending on the width of the ribs and the depth of the heartgirth. It can be a "pear" shape, an "apple" or inverted "U" shape, may be wide or narrow, short or long, or combinations of these
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originates from the last four cervical vertebrae, and courses along the spine, inserting eventually into the ilium and sacrum. This muscle contracts the spine and also raises and supports the head and neck, and is the main muscle used for rearing, kicking, jumping, and turning. It is the longest and
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can all contribute to back pain. A saddle that is not fitted properly on the horse may lead to immediate, acute pain, or chronic, long-term damage. A saddle of ill fit will repeatedly bruise, pinch, or rub the underlying soft tissue or spinal processes. A horse that is not athletically fit may also
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or pads. As a horse's muscles change with age or conditioning, one saddle may not fit during its entire life, and no saddle fits all horses. A properly fitted saddle should have enough height in the gullet to clear the withers of the horse and not be so wide as to press on the spine, but not be so
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placed upon an immature animal. Less often, a long-backed horse that is in poor condition may develop a sway at a younger age simply due to lack of exercise, particularly if kept in a stall or small pen for long periods without turnout. Equines with too long a back are more prone to the condition
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The average horse can carry up to approximately 25% of its body weight, but body build and, particularly, back structure, may allow it to carry somewhat more or less. Physical condition also plays a role. A horse that is in good physical condition, with well-developed abdominal and back muscles,
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Horses' back shape can vary greatly from horse to horse. The upper curvature of a horse's withers, back, and loin is called the "topline." The line of the belly from elbow to flank is the "under line" or "bottom line." In terms of the back, both are important; a long underline with a relatively
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For mild problems, it is sometimes useful to ride the horse in a different saddle or without a saddle to see if the problem goes away, but usually a veterinarian or saddle fitter can determine if an ill-fitting saddle is the problem in fairly short order. Failure to obtain a reliable veterinary
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injury can make a horse put extra stress on its back, which can lead to back problems in addition to lameness if not treated promptly. A rider with a poor seat can put abnormal pressure directly on a horse's back, or may indirectly cause back pain in other ways: An ill-fitting
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A roach back is less common, but is characterized by a back that has insufficient curvature. Such animals will have difficulty with flexion and are often rough-gaited. Conformational defects such as straight shoulders often are correlated with a roach back.
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and inserts on the withers. The supraspinous ligament attaches to the tops of the remaining thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. These two ligaments in combination provide a link throughout the topline of the horse, aiding in the elastic movement of the body.
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lack of athletic fitness, gradually build the horse's athletic agility until it is strong enough to avoid getting sore in the back. Back pain related to stress or injury may require rest and time without being ridden, with a gradual return to work.
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points, especially over the shoulders and loins. A heavy rider may also put additional strain on already weakened ligaments and muscles. A swaybacked horse is less able to achieve rapid impulsion; which may cause problems in such sports such as
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that has had multiple foals. However, it is common in older horses whose age leads to loss of muscle tone and stretched ligaments. It also occurs due to overuse or injury to the muscles and ligaments from excess work or loads, or from premature
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characteristics. Wider but shorter ribs and loins will usually be stronger than long and narrow ribs and loins. If the ribs "fall off" of the back sharply, the back will be narrow, whereas if the ribs are well sprung, the back will be wide.
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A low back may make a horse more prone to a stiff head and neck carriage and usually causes stiffness in the back and difficulty collecting. A horse with a long back and loin, while often considered a trait associated with smooth
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trait. Swayback is caused in part from a loss of muscle tone in both the back and abdominal muscles, plus a weakening and stretching of the ligaments. As in humans, it may be influenced by bearing young; it is sometimes seen in a
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of inheritance. Research into the genetics underlying the condition has several values beyond just the
Saddlebred breed as it may "serve as a model for investigating congenital skeletal deformities in horses and other species."
404:, it is called swaybacked (other names include saddle-backed, hollow-backed, low in the back, "soft" in the back, or down in the back). It is a common back condition, particularly in older horses, and in general an undesirable
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experience back pain. Abrupt changes in work, footing, or terrain can make even a fit horse suffer soreness. Accidents, missteps, or awkward jumps all lend themselves to strain. Compensating for any type of limb, joint, or
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This yearling horse is a bit long in the back, as shown by the identically sized blue rectangles. its back will be more likely to sway as it gets older, but will probably be very smooth-gaited
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goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the
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has a very short back, noted by the overlapping blue rectangles, and is also a bit roach-backed. It has short coupling and will be a sturdy animal, but could be rough-gaited
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A complex interplay of bone and muscle, supported by powerful tendons and ligaments allows a horse to "round" under the saddle and best support the weight of a rider
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461:. However, with a properly fitting saddle that does not bridge, a swaybacked horse still can be used as a pleasure horse and as a horse for teaching students.
360:. The height of the withers also varies and affects freedom of shoulder movement, length of stride, and is a major area of concern in proper saddle fitting.
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A veterinarian or experienced horse owner can palpate the back of a horse to pinpoint sources of pain and from there assess the most likely cause.
279:. Hence the entire torso is attached to the shoulders by powerful muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The spine of a horse's back is supported by
607:, resulting in mouth pain, can cause secondary back pain as the horse lifts its neck and stresses its back to avoid the pressure to the mouth.
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Back pain in a horse may be related to movement in an unnatural and stressed position, not unlike those that cause back pain in humans.
444:, is prone to developing a swayback sooner than average. A swayback often makes it harder for the horse to collect, particularly for
663:, simple rest, targeted exercises, or a combination of any of the above. Drug treatment may also be advised, particularly the use of
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The structure of the back varies from horse to horse and varies a great deal by breed, age and condition of the animal.
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There are two primary flaws in back conformation, a "too-straight" or "roach" back and its opposite, a too low or "
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A moderately short back is generally a desirable trait and can be seen in any breed, though it is more common in
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back pain is much harder to treat, so prompt attention is advisable in order to avoid a long-term problem.
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Horses' backs can be eased by adapting some techniques from human physical therapy to use on equine anatomy
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Arabian Horse
Association of Southern California, Rich Publishing, Revised Collector's edition (1973).
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by humans, the strength and structure of the horse's back is critical to the animal's usefulness.
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medications. In all cases, the first step is to eliminate the root cause of pain to the
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begin at the spaces between the ribs and aid in breathing. The external and internal
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will be able to carry more weight for a longer time than one that is not in shape.
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The length, width and shape of a horse's back all play a role in proper saddle fit.
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When the span of the back dips excessively in the center, a condition known as
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than those with a short back, but as a longer back is also linked to smoother
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is often very useful in localising either bony or soft tissue disorders.
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strongest muscle in the body, and is the muscle the rider sits on. The
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The thoracic vertebrae are the true "back" vertebral structures of the
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730:"Heavier Riders' Guide", Beverly Whittington and Rhonda Hart-Poe, 1999
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so that the animal is not reinjured after treatment. Degenerative or
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all work together to allow a horse to support the weight of a rider.
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Oke, Stacey. "Genetics of
Swayback in Saddlebred Horses Examined"
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online edition, December 20, 2010. Accessed
December 21, 2010
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Back pain in a horse may be caused for a variety of reasons.
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technique, lack of conditioning, overwork, accidents, or
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fit, though minor problems can be compensated for with
427:. It has been found to have a hereditary basis in the
241:. Each thoracic vertebra is also associated with a
647:Like humans, back pain in horses may be treated by
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229:Skeletal system of the horse § Axial skeleton
490:less than 1/3. Long backs are more often seen in
295:and inserts beneath the thoracic section of the
347:The depth of a horse's topline may vary, from
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396:This older horse has a significant swayback
128:Learn how and when to remove this message
187:. Integral to the back structure is the
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312:are attached to the ribs and
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207:Anatomy of the back
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118:August 2014
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261:See also:
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148:where the
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635:Treatment
611:Diagnosis
560:Back pain
411:broodmare
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285:ligaments
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492:"gaited"
475:yearling
446:dressage
402:lordosis
388:Swayback
377:lordosis
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283:, three
223:Skeleton
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