Horse arm conformation covers the horses humerus and radius and the arm bone is from the point of shoulder to the elbow.
Its length dictates how tightly the elbow and lower joints can bend and reach for extension.
Horse Conformation
A long or short arm bone can define which riding disciplines a horse will be best suited for.
Long Horse Arm Confirmation …
The humerus is long when it is 50-60% of the length of the scapula and the horse’ elbow is beneath the middle of the withers if the humerus is long.
This horse arm conformation mostly affects … jumping, steeplechase, eventing, lateral movements of dressage and cutting.
A long humerus increases movement of the elbow away from torso, both forward and to the side, allowing more tucking over fences and increased stride in speed events.
It provides a scaffold for lengthy muscle attachments of flexor and extensor muscles, which contract with greater force to increase power and speed.
Horse’s with long arm conformation are best suited for speed events, jumping and dressage.
Short Horse Arm confirmation …
The humerus is usually in a horizontal position which closes the shoulder angle (shoulder and humerus) to less than 90 degrees.
this type of horse arm cnformation is quite common, and is usually seen in Quarter Horses, Paints, and Warmbloods
A short humerus decreases the scope of a horse, and contributes to a short, choppy stride.
This increases the impact stress on front legs, especially the feet. The rider is jarred and the horse absorbs a lot of concussion.
More steps are needed to cover ground, increasing the chance of front-end lameness.
The horse tends to be less able to do lateral movements.
Horse’s with a short arm conformation are good for sprinting sports and the horse is best used for pleasure riding, non-impact activities, and sprinting sports like roping or barrel racing.
The Horses Forearm Conformation (radius) …
Long forearm Conformation …
The length of the radius (between elbow and carpus) is long
Seen in all breeds, especially Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, Arabians, and Warmbloods.
A long forearm is desirable for any performance activity, especially if the horse also has a short cannon.
It increases the surface area and length of muscular attachments to gain the best leverage for maximum stride length and speed.
Good muscling of a long forearm is especially advantageous to jumping horses.
The strong forearm muscles absorb concussion from the impact and diffuse the strain on tendons and joints on landing.
Horse’s with a long forearm conformation are best for speed events, jumping events, and long distance trail riding.
Short forearm Conformation …
The distance of radius from elbow and carpus is proportionately short
Short forearm conformation is uncommon, but it is seen in Morgans and Quarter Horses.
A short forearm affects speed and jumping events, it has little effect on stock horse events.
The length of stride is dependent on the forearm length and shoulder angle, so a short forearm causes the horse to increase the number of steps to cover a distance, increasing overall muscular effort and speeding up fatigue.
A short forearm increases the action of the knees, giving an animated appearance.
Knee action is not compatible with speed.
A horse with a short forearm conformation is best for showing, hunter equitation, harness or parade.