Download Conformation - Canadian Pony Club

CONFORMATION – A
Instructor’s Guide
Part I – Movement
Purpose
1.
Know the structures (including muscles groups and nuchal ligament) and specific functions
involved in movement in the horse
Teaching Suggestions
1. Phases of stride are covered in foot and shoeing
2. Students must review good and bad points of conformation from previous levels.
How a horse moves (USAB 257-9)
 lines marked with this symbol indicate the function of the muscle/apparatus
Apparatus
Description/Function
Muscles at front of
 Degree to which hind leg reaches forward under body  engagement
hindquarters
 Greater engagement = greater power

Abdominal muscles
Psoas group
Muscles of croup
and back of
hindquarters
hip to stifle and front of thigh
 flex the hind leg and swing it forward under the body (swing phase)
 from breastbone to floor of pelvis
 flex the loin at lumbar-sacral joint and help bring hind legs forward under the
body
 deep muscles running from underside of lumbar spine (loin) to floor of pelvis
and femur
 flex the loin and help engage the hind legs
 gluteals and hamstrings
Muscles of spine
 straighten the leg  thrusts the body forward until the leg extends behind him
and leaves the ground (breakover) when the hoof strikes the ground the hind
leg bears weight
 several layers of deep muscles on each side of the back connecting vertebrae of
croup, loin, back and neck
 These muscles are part of the “chain of muscles” that run on each side of the
spine from hind leg to poll
Nuchal ligament
 stabilize spine and transmit the power (thrust) to move the horse forward.
 cervical ligaments which connect each of the seven cervical (neck) vertebrae to
the withers and to the dorsal ligament system which runs the length of the back
Deep muscles of
neck
Muscles of top of
neck
Muscles on
 pulls on the bones of the withers and back affecting the horse’s balance when
the head is lowered.
 stabilize the base of the neck and help horse to arch his neck, raise his forehand
and change his balance
 raise and extend the head and neck
 flex neck downward and some help to extend the forearms
Conformation (A) – Instructor’s Guide -- 1
underside of neck
Lateral muscles
Muscles of shoulder,
neck and arm
Forearm muscles +
muscles of shoulder,
neck and arm
Suspensory
apparatus
Shoulder sling of
muscles
Circle of Muscles
What is it
USAB 259
How does it work
 bend the neck sideways
 rotate the shoulder blades and flex and extend the shoulder and elbow joints
 help forelegs flex, swing forward, absorb shock and carry weight
 carry the horse’s weight, absorb shock and support the fetlock joint and aids in
the rebound effect which helps each foot leave the ground
 absorbs shock and helps in lifting the ribs and forehand

entire system of muscle groups used in movement


in motion the circle of muscles works in harmony
each muscle group performs its function and is neither overstressed nor
underused
USAB 259
Result of poor
movement
USAB 259
1. poor movement breaks up the smooth functioning of the circle of muscles
2. puts more stress on some muscles groups
 less efficient
 hampers the horse’s athletic ability
 may eventually lead to soreness
 poor muscle development
 unsoundness
Part II – Stay Apparatus
Purpose
1. Know the purpose and associated structures of the stay apparatus of the fore and hind limbs
Teaching Suggestions
1. Be sure the students understand the “reciprocal system” of the hind limbs and how the joints
work together.
Stay Apparatus
Notes
USAB 251
Parts of Stay
Apparatus of the
Forelimb
USAB 253
Hind limb
(Reciprocal
System)
USAB 253
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
system of muscles, tendons and ligaments at the font and back of each limb
allows horse to lock his limbs and remain upright even while relaxed/asleep
the suspensory apparatus is part of the stay apparatus (USAB 253)
the upper part of the stay apparatus varies between fore and hind limb (USAB
253)
muscles that attach the forelimb to the ribs and neck
muscles of the arm
muscles of the elbow
muscles of the shoulder
extensor and flexor muscles of the forearm and their tendons
suspensory apparatus of lower leg
muscles of hip to stifle
muscles of thigh
gluteals (croup muscles)
hamstrings
ligaments of stifle joint
tendons
Conformation (A) – Instructor’s Guide -- 2
Reciprocal nature
of hind limb
USAB 253
7. ligaments of gaskin
8. ligaments of hock
9. suspensory apparatus of lower leg
 the hock and stifle are reciprocal joints
 when one bends or straightens, the other must also
 the stifle joint is constructed so that the patella (knee cap) can be lifted and
locked over the end of the femur (thigh bone) and held in place by the
ligaments of the stifle joint
 locks the stifle and hock so that horse can stand on limb even when relaxed
 the biceps femoris and quadriceps femoris muscles flex the stifle and
unlock the patella
Conformation (A) – Instructor’s Guide -- 3
CONFORMATION – A
Homework Key
9 marks total
1. Describe the location of the nuchal ligament and its function (2)

cervical ligaments which connect each of the seven cervical (neck) vertebrae to the
withers and to the dorsal ligament system which runs the length of the back
 pulls on the bones of the withers and back affecting the horse’s balance when the head is
lowered.
2. What is the purpose of the stay apparatus (1)


system of muscles, tendons and ligaments at the font and back of each limb
allows horse to lock his limbs and remain upright even while relaxed/asleep
3. What is the circle of muscles (1) and list 2 possible effects of poor movement on the circle (2)

Definition: entire system of muscle groups used in movement

poor movement breaks up the smooth functioning of the circle of muscles and puts more
stress on some muscles groups.
 less efficient
 hampers the horse’s athletic ability
 may eventually lead to soreness
 poor muscle development
unsoundness
4. Describe the “reciprocal” nature of the hind limb including the joints involved (3)



joints that work together such that when one bends or straightens the other must also
part of the stay apparatus
the hock and the stifle joint are reciprocal joints
Conformation (A) – Homework Key -- 1
CONFORMATION – A
Student’s Guide
Part I – Movement
Purpose
1. Know the structures (including muscles groups and nuchal ligament) and specific functions
involved in movement in the horse
How a horse moves (USAB 257-9)
Apparatus
Muscles at front of
hindquarters
Description/Function
Abdominal muscles
Psoas group
Muscles of croup
and back of
hindquarters
Conformation (A) – Student’s Guide -- 1
Muscles of spine
Nuchal ligament
Deep muscles of
neck
Muscles of top of
neck
Muscles on
underside of neck
Lateral muscles
Conformation (A) – Student’s Guide -- 2
Muscles of shoulder,
neck and arm
Forearm muscles +
muscles of shoulder,
neck and arm
Suspensory
apparatus
Shoulder sling of
muscles
Circle of Muscles
What is it
USAB 259
How does it work
USAB 259
Conformation (A) – Student’s Guide -- 3
Result of poor
movement (2)
USAB 259
Part I – Stay Apparatus
Purpose
1. Know the purpose and associated structures of the stay apparatus of the fore and hind limbs
Stay Apparatus
Notes
USAB 251/3
Parts of Stay
Apparatus of the
Forelimb
USAB 253
Hind limb
(Reciprocal
System)
USAB 253
Reciprocal nature
of hind limb
USAB 253
Conformation (A) – Student’s Guide -- 4
CONFORMATION – A
Homework
1. Describe the location of the nuchal ligament and its function (2)
2. What is the purpose of the stay apparatus (1)
3. What is the circle of muscles (1) and list 2 possible effects of poor movement on the circle (2)
4. Describe the “reciprocal” nature of the hind limb including the joints involved (3)
Name:
Conformation (A) – Student Homework -- 1