As the weather outside escalates to near blizzard proportions, I don't
feel quite as guilty as I should about sitting at my computer.
I've never actually seen Reign On, but have been told that his front
leg conformation was (is?) very faulty as well and probably contributed
to his many bowed tendons. It is amazing to me how many people will
rave on about how wonderfully this or that horse moves, when the
"movement" is simply a response to poor conformation. Sickle hocks in
particular, cause a horse to seem to have an extremely extended trot.
Most people will say that that sort of horse is a "great mover". In
reality, that horse is very "strung out" and if used for endurance will
become very sore in the hocks and in the back.
What I have found to be more interesting are the horses with great leg
conformation and bone structure who have this park-type action. I've
seen several that seemed to have every reason to succeed in endurance
that would do well for a short time and then dissapear. If a horse
distributes his weight 60% to the front end already and then starts
driving his knees up and then pounding them back to the ground, it
stands to reason he won't be doing it for long!
Robbi Pruitt
Canyonside Ranch Arabians