Fact or matter of Opinion?

[trcampidilli]

You will hear some people say(while looking at a horse) oh look at those short cannon bones, boy I bet they can run. Meaning that the shorter the cannon bones the faster the horse?? I know someone that thinks this way and there is NO changing thier mind. I even asked my vet- he races horses and has done so for 30 yrs(and is VERY respected), and he said there was no truth in this. I personaly do not think there is any truth to this either. But I do believe that shorter cannon bones, the less likely they are for lameness(in that area). If you ask me horses running ability comes from the length in their stride(short back long underline). Am I right or is this just my Opinion?

[henthorn]

I'm with you, tr. Longer pasterns/shorter cannons just increases the stresses on the sesamoids and knees. It shouldn't make any difference in the stride length. It's especially important if the horse is heavy-bodied and speedy, putting even more wear on those front legs. That's why those legs are forgiven more with people racing on the turf. Less need for shock absorbers than on hard dirt tracks.

[BJ]

Actually I have heard and read that longer pasterns give greater shock absorbancy for the knees. But with incorrect shoes can cause greater stress on ankles. As for short cannons, Damascus had very short cannons. Was sound and fast. His line also tend to make for sound sport horses.

[BJ]

TR says: >>> If you ask me horses running ability comes from the length in their stride(short back long underline). Am I right or is this just my Opinion?<<<

Here too, I have heard balance and athleticism give a horse its running ability. A horse that has balance and athleticism will have a more efficient stride. I'll take efficiency over length any day. Both, would be perfect!

[trcampidilli]

Bump

[BenB]

The case is that there is a relationship between the size of the bone and the weight of the body. The quality of the density of the bone is the most important thing.

[Ruffian]

I personally have a colt (just 2), that fits the short cannons/long pasterns description, he is very heavily topped and stopped growing last year at about 15 hands(he was always the biggest burliest colt of the lot & then everyone else took over last June), for this reason he hasn't gone into training until March time, & even then we will have to wait, he is a lovely colt just we thought for long-term soundness it would be best just to let him grow a little bit more (please!) then put him into the training racing. He is bred to be a miler-1 1/4. by a 16 h sire & 16h dam.
So TR I'll let you know about my opinion on this when this little guy races/trains! (I have never really had one with this type of conform. always had long legs, tiny body, real oldy worldy french type TB's! Not QH lookalikes!)

[BenB]

When they only puts weights on, instead of growing in heights, try to get him leaner, so give him more nutrients, and bring the amount of hard
feed down. Those heavily topped horses, put stress on their, bones, joints etc. It,s very wise to give him extra time, it,s gooiing to be awarded.
Ben.

[skeenan]

Actually I have heard and read that longer pasterns give greater shock absorbancy for the knees. But with incorrect shoes can cause greater stress on ankles. As for short cannons, Damascus had very short cannons. Was sound and fast. His line also tend to make for sound sport horses.

I know incorrect hoof trim angles can cause a lot of stress on the ankles...

Me personally, I am more concerned with the angle of the pasterns- too long, and you risk trauma to the tendons, etc., too short, and you'll get too much jarring...

I'm picky about it... it affects a horse's overall stride & efficiency as well as potential lameness in that area... just watch a Grand Prix dressage horse and how fluid their motion is...

[madelyn]

I visit the track a lot, many different barns, and I have noticed a tendency there to whack off all the horse's heel, leaving the toe, trimmed as much as it can be, sticking out in front like a diver's fin. Trainers claim they are adjusting the breakover, but I have also noticed a distinct correlation between tendon injuries and that obtuse angle between the hoof and the pastern, created by removing all the heel. I have long since discarded any notions I was once taught regarding specific bone lengths; it used to be believed that short cannons made for easier breakover, therefore a stride much lower to the ground, economy of movement and therefore a faster horse. Instead, I prefer to look at the horse overall and examine the mechanics of that particular horse's movement. There are some (I saw a Take Me Out mare a while back) where ridiculously long, slender cannon bones would definitely steer me away from her, both as a race and broodmare prospect (think stilts), but usually, provided there are reasonable proportions, I don't think cannon bones are as prominent in the calculation of efficiency as the shoulder angles are.

[Intrinsic Worth]

Long pasterns = suspensory problems