Back / over at the knee

DoWeDance · 06-13-2006, 12:15 PM

Mods: I'm not sure if this is where this thread should go. If it is not, I apologize

Ok, my question is, what is the difference between the conformation faults commonly referred to as "back" and "over" at the knee. I have a good idea of what they are, but they are tough to visualize. Pictures would be awesome

! Thanks!

JBandRio · 06-13-2006, 12:33 PM

The ideal front leg conformation will have a straight line running down the middle of the forearm, middle of the knee, middle of the cannon bone.

Back at the knee puts the knee behind this line. It's also called calf-kneed, as that is often how cows are. This is the worse conformation fault of the 2 we're talking about. It puts that much extra stress on the ligaments and tendons. Mildly back at the knee isn't much to worry about, but it gets exponentially worse the more back it is.

Over at the knee is the opposite - knee in front of that line. However, this is rarely a true conformation defect. Instead, it is most often created by having high heels on the horse. The horse then has heel pain, and tends to stand in an over-at-the-knee posture to get weight off his heels.

Something else that will create an over at the knee look is contracted tendons, usually in foals. The bones grow faster than the tendons, and the tendons then pull on the back of the leg, not allowing it to straighten out all the way.

I'd take a truly over at the knee horse over a truly calf-kneed horse any day, given the choice.

Kissitgoodbye · 06-13-2006, 12:33 PM

JB said it again...

Sigh... Smart HgS Member

DoWeDance · 06-13-2006, 12:54 PM

Hmm... Thanks JB. So, is this horse over at the knee?
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...to-g53339.html

DoWeDance · 06-13-2006, 01:35 PM

Can anyone tell me if the link above is an example of over at the knee?

sheplovr · 06-13-2006, 01:37 PM

It is really very little that I can tell. I have seen them so bad I did not know how they even performed. That does not look bad at all honey.

DoWeDance · 06-13-2006, 01:40 PM

Ok, that's what I thought. I think this particular horse is a little over, but it is so hard for me to tell. I just needed some help identifying it.

JBandRio · 06-13-2006, 02:19 PM

No, that picture is not over at the knee.

I am looking for one that I like to show, and will post it when I can find it

ches · 06-13-2006, 04:44 PM

That picture is a bad angle to tell -- you need it side-on, while that one looks down a little from the front. This web page has some good images.

DoWeDance · 06-13-2006, 06:32 PM

ok, thanks so much, guys.

06-13-2006, 12:15 PM	#1
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	Back / over at the knee Mods: I'm not sure if this is where this thread should go. If it is not, I apologize Ok, my question is, what is the difference between the conformation faults commonly referred to as "back" and "over" at the knee. I have a good idea of what they are, but they are tough to visualize. Pictures would be awesome ! Thanks!

06-13-2006, 12:33 PM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	The ideal front leg conformation will have a straight line running down the middle of the forearm, middle of the knee, middle of the cannon bone. Back at the knee puts the knee behind this line. It's also called calf-kneed, as that is often how cows are. This is the worse conformation fault of the 2 we're talking about. It puts that much extra stress on the ligaments and tendons. Mildly back at the knee isn't much to worry about, but it gets exponentially worse the more back it is. Over at the knee is the opposite - knee in front of that line. However, this is rarely a true conformation defect. Instead, it is most often created by having high heels on the horse. The horse then has heel pain, and tends to stand in an over-at-the-knee posture to get weight off his heels. Something else that will create an over at the knee look is contracted tendons, usually in foals. The bones grow faster than the tendons, and the tendons then pull on the back of the leg, not allowing it to straighten out all the way. I'd take a truly over at the knee horse over a truly calf-kneed horse any day, given the choice. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

06-13-2006, 12:33 PM	#3
Kissitgoodbye Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 7,912 Images: 60 Blog Entries: 4	JB said it again... Sigh... Smart HgS Member __________________ i am only one; but still i am one. i cannot do everything, but still i can do something; i will not refuse to do the something i can do

06-13-2006, 01:37 PM	#6
sheplovr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 645 Images: 22	It is really very little that I can tell. I have seen them so bad I did not know how they even performed. That does not look bad at all honey. __________________ .The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards ~ they are the ones who care. www.vomschreknhaus.com

06-13-2006, 02:19 PM	#8
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	No, that picture is not over at the knee. I am looking for one that I like to show, and will post it when I can find it __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

06-13-2006, 12:54 PM	#4
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	Hmm... Thanks JB. So, is this horse over at the knee? http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...to-g53339.html

06-13-2006, 01:35 PM	#5
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	Can anyone tell me if the link above is an example of over at the knee?

06-13-2006, 01:40 PM	#7
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	Ok, that's what I thought. I think this particular horse is a little over, but it is so hard for me to tell. I just needed some help identifying it.

06-13-2006, 04:44 PM	#9
ches Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,472 Images: 38	That picture is a bad angle to tell -- you need it side-on, while that one looks down a little from the front. This web page has some good images.

06-13-2006, 06:32 PM	#10
DoWeDance Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,719 Images: 66	ok, thanks so much, guys.

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