What do you judge of Upright Pasterns contained by Large AQHA Hunter Gelding?
OK, so I already know that upright pasterns are "bad" because they increase concussion to the bones in the leg, and that it is usually accompany by short, choppy strides, and an upright shoulder.
However, what if the horse does not have short, choppy strides or an adjectives shoulder - how bad is it then?
The horse in ask is a 17.1H AQHA registered 8yr old gelding. He has been used as a hunter for the 3' divisions for times gone by 3 years with reasonable success. He is SUPER muted with easy lead change. His stride is actually very good length and his conformation is correct except for his upright pastern (his shoulder is well sloped) - although I don't approaching the way his feet are trimmed (not enough heel) but it appears to be a unpromising farrier not bad feet.
My question is how big of a do business would you make of the upright pasterns if his conformation is otherwise honourable, he has had no soundness issues and his stride is of reasonable size and is highly fluid?
What do you think about the fact that he have this problem and he is so big (17.1)??
The horse is one I am considering for a client to purchase and everything about him is great and we are getting a GREAT price (the girl quiet riding and parent's don't want to pay 1200/mo board anymore). What do you imagine?
Without pictures, it is impossible to judge. Individual perception may not be anatomically correct. If his "pasterns are too upright" as you say, the LAST thing he desires is a LONGER, HIGHER HEEL? Think about it!! He needs his feet to be on the edge to his body, legs, and confirmation - not matched up to some erroneous human conception of angles. If he is sound, get a vet check. His size is irrelevant if he is well. There is no obvious reason to prevent purchase. Sounds like a great horse.
Of course you are going to make sure that your client gets Xrays done I hope.
If the horse vet clean and sound (With Xrays) then I really wouldn't be concerned something like the pasterns being an eventual soundness issue if he's already been doing 3' for 3 yrs. He certain sounds like a nice horse, and a BIG one at that. I had an Appendix gelding who was 16.3 and I thought that be big!
BTW at $1,200.00 a month I agree with the sellers, that's a LOT for board!
Answers: I wouldn't worry too much about it. If the horse's stride is normal and the rest of his conformation is great, it shouldn't be too big of a accord. Yes, steep pasterns can cause issues, but generally that's because they can't tolerate problems caused by other issues.
My sister have an AQHA mare that is close to 17h (as a four year old) and she also has steep pasterns. She's only doing Western Pleasure, not a hint jumping, so there's not quite as much strain, but I don't foresee any issues in that either.
A good farrier can help alleviate greatly of issues caused by the steep pasterns and might be able to do some corrective shoeing that can compensate for it. I'd talk to a latest farrier about that...especially one who is experienced with issues resembling that.
If the horse is 8 years old and has been showing 3'0 for three years and hasn't have any soundness issues yet (and everything else about him is great), I say move about for it :). Especially if you're getting a great deal--it's hard to find a horse without issues for a appropriate price.
Well, first I'd want to see a pic of the pasterns. The rules enjoy been changing on ideal pastern angles, favoring a more adjectives angle than previously accepted as ideal. So, by the new criteria, the horse may fit more closely to the great than you think. I disagree with the post suggesting that a farrier can do corrective work for this. You never want to do anything to alter the angle through the hoof and pastern, which is where the pedal bones splash up to handle concussive forces. If the horse's heels are too low, it is a cause for concern in that within can be inflammation already starting in the hoof and pastern joints if the angles are rotten. Anyway, unless the pasterns are steeper than 50 to 55 degrees, it isn't considered all that bad according to the clean research.
