Tips, Tricks, and Helpful Hints

to Keep your Outdoor Adventures Safe and Enjoyable

5 Conformation Flaws to Avoid in a Trail Horse

Trail horses may not need to be show ring pretty but they had better have  good conformation to ensure a long and productive trail career. Here are five conformation flaws to avoid.

Bad Feet – Poor hoofs whether too small, shallow, or soft are a serious problem in the making. The old saying “no foot, no horse” is just as true today as it was 200 years ago.

Flat Withers – Prominent wither help hold the saddle in place. Without these a mutton withered horse has nothing to keep the saddle from sliding about which can be a safety issue.

Back too Long – A long back doesn’t have the structural support to hold both the horse and a rider with tack. A short backed horse with a deep loin with stay sound much longer. This picture shows what your trail horse should look like.

Bad Legs – Bad legs can run the gamut from pasterns too short and upright causing a choppy, jarring stride to pasterns that are too long and angled which are prone to breaking down under even light stress.

Upright Hips and Shoulders – These conformation problems will also cause short, choppy, jarring strides that are hard on both the horse and rider over long distances.

See More Trail Riding Tips Here