I never meant to imply that just because it is a wb that it will be an FEI horse. Of course not. But we have to talk in terms of generalities here. IN GENERAL, euro wb’s have been bred for a long enough time for upper level dressage and jumping to create a fairly uniform type of horse that is conformed in a way to be highly suited to this job.
Other breeds of horses (outside of the baroque breeds) were not selected for and bred for this purpose and this purpose alone. It makes perfect sense to me…if your selection criteria is 1) the conformation needed to “sit” 2) large expressive gaits 3) ability to do both and this selection goes on for decades, you are going to end up with an animal much more suited to these three things than any other breed that was bred with an entirely different purpose in mind. If a breed registry is selective enough, major change can come about in three or so decades.
I also dont think it is the conformation of the wb that causes soundness issues but rather the ginormous size of these animals and the weight that is placed on the hind leg apparatus during colllection. This is what I have heard from numerous vets as well. A horse can be ideally conformed but when you have 1500lbs (vs 900 or so for a lippizan ect) bearing down on the joints, there are only going to be a limited number of piaffes in that horse.
You know…people here get all excited about wb’s. I don’t really know why. Every other sport has one breed or two breeds that excell at the job and usually dominate the upper levels. In every case, these breeds have been SELECTED and BRED for this purpose. Arabians dominate endurance because that is what they have been selected for. Quarterhorses dominate cutting…cuz that is what they have been selected and conformed to do. Thoroughbreds run faster than other breeds…why? Because they have been bred with the conformation in mind to do so. Why would it be any different for showjumping or dressage? And it isn’t, some people just have a hard time accepting it for some odd reason.
So all I am saying here is that the draft horse was bred and selected for a completely different purpose. To throw massive weight onto the forhand, to lean into and PULL weight that is behind it. The conformation affirms this. Massive forehands, shorter front legs to be closer to the ground and “dig in” creating a downhill build. Hind legs out behind because “stepping under or carrying” is not required to pull heavy weight. And this is why they excell at heavy agricultural work over any other type of horse.
But if you then change the purpose entirely…ie you want them to elevate the forhand…ie carry vs push…and you want them uphill…gosh, that is going to be tough. You are starting with the wrong conformation for the job of dressage. BUT…again, there are always exceptions and of course, up to first level …no problems. After that, if the work is pushed, the horse will likely break down or will not be able to perform up to par because of the result of trying to work against that conformation as well as putting that serious weight on hocks and stifles that were not built to carry at all.
