I am working on developing my eye for dressage conformation but one thing that is said over and over again is for the hoses to have a strong loin and we’ll developed coup and of course there aren’t any pictures to show the difference. I can see an obviously weak back overall but does anyone have any picture examples of an average loin connection vs strong and the same for the developed coup? I’m looking to see and be able to recognize fine detail differences.
This is what I have in mind as an example of a strong back.
http://www.horseplanet.net/images/horses/farn.jpg
Dan
http://www.autumnhillfarm.com/files/AHFConformationOpen.JPG
Dr. Schade, breeding director of the Hanoverian Verband, specifically commented on this horses’ strong loin connection at his stallion licensing.
The loin is the first place my eyes go when evaluating a horse…
This is the type of loin that makes me swoon 
Here are some horses with weak loins/ backs :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhal-Teke#mediaviewer/File:Garant.jpg
http://colorgenetics.info/equine/gallery/dilutions/cream-dilution/double-dilute/samovar-akhal-teke
http://www.dreamfriesians.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Friesian_Stallion_Z_Stack1.jpg
http://www.buymypet.com.au/Farm-Animals/Black-friesian-horses-for-sale-P2481.aspx
This Australian TB mare had a very strong loin connection. Just wish the pic was a little bit more from the side.
Part of what makes a strong loin is that it is short and smoothly muscled, but it also needs to be broad which is hard to evaluate from a side view.
This is Dr. Deb Bennett’s description of a strong loin:
Loins: broad from side to side, deep from loin to groin, short from hips to ribs. The ideal is to have a smooth, strong coupling. This (and not the height of the horse) is the most significant determinant of its ability to carry weight.
A well placed L-S joint is another aspect of a strong loin.
And just to confuse things a bit more - I’ve seen more then a few horses with weak loins who were very successful FEI competitors - I am not going to post pics because they are not my own horses, but there are plenty of Warmbloods out there with long backs and long, weaker loins who were competitive at the GP level. The loin is just part of the equation - conformation and brain…
Ideally, the loin is not too long - and looks almost like it is “raised” versus “drooping”. Not sure if that makes sense? The loin helps the horse with collection, as it is part of the structure for folding the hind end and lowering it.
Regarding dressage desires, does anyone have examples of a horse with quick hind leg vs horse with “slow” one? (or a good description of what that means )TIA
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;7786435]
And just to confuse things a bit more - I’ve seen more then a few horses with weak loins who were very successful FEI competitors - I am not going to post pics because they are not my own horses, but there are plenty of Warmbloods out there with long backs and long, weaker loins who were competitive at the GP level. The loin is just part of the equation - conformation and brain…
Ideally, the loin is not too long - and looks almost like it is “raised” versus “drooping”. Not sure if that makes sense? The loin helps the horse with collection, as it is part of the structure for folding the hind end and lowering it.[/QUOTE]
I think the answer to your remark is that a horse is the sum of all their parts. If the horse has a weak loin they may have another strength that compensates - sometimes it is sheer strength of character. A horse that wants to work will often do better than one with perfect conformation provided their conformation weaknesses don’t cause them to break down, or are not completely counter to the discipline they are being ridden in.
I am a heavy rider so a strong back and loin are especially important to me, as is good bone and hooves.
[QUOTE=omare;7786763]
Regarding dressage desires, does anyone have examples of a horse with quick hind leg vs horse with “slow” one? (or a good description of what that means )TIA[/QUOTE]
Best definition I have seen was on the Chronicle forums in the last few weeks. The posted said something to the effect of a quick hind leg keeps the hind cannons from ever really getting behind perpendicular to the ground. They’re up and coming forward by then.
Thank you for all of the posts! I am beginning to see the difference now!
I’m lucky (due to our breeding program) to have paddocks full of horses with excellent loin, hip, hindleg connections. Of course it doesn’t mean that they are all going to be champions but it does make one less thing you need to be worried.
https://www.facebook.com/Brokeford
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1888485_598401656914373_1551625421_n.jpg?oh=926f1e26efc67bb881fc0630808cdc36&oe=54BD83F8&gda=1417928143_34623764a9601de8923ba0af82ffb850
[QUOTE=netg;7786926]
Best definition I have seen was on the Chronicle forums in the last few weeks. The posted said something to the effect of a quick hind leg keeps the hind cannons from ever really getting behind perpendicular to the ground. They’re up and coming forward by then.[/QUOTE]
I have never seen a hindleg that did NOT go behind perpendicular to the ground. If it didn’t the horse would hardly be able to thrust forward but only up. And we pride ourselves on having horses that are quick behind. Unless they were meaning in canter or piaffe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5QIt6xOs0
Not to get off track (apologizes) but I read Breitling has a quick hind leg…I can see the hind leg might get “behind” the perpendicular, but not much, before moving forward–I guess getting really behind the perpendicular is the same as having hind legs that trail behind. I am starting to get a better visual of both. Thanks!
Omare, thanks for the video, that was a good visual
[QUOTE=omare;7790201]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5QIt6xOs0
Not to get off track (apologizes) but I read Breitling has a quick hind leg…I can see the hind leg might get “behind” the perpendicular, but not much, before moving forward–I guess getting really behind the perpendicular is the same as having hind legs that trail behind. I am starting to get a better visual of both. Thanks![/QUOTE]
Yep! Horses typically get much farther behind the vertical with their leg, which is hocks trailing, etc.
