page_title: Equine conformation
section_title: Conformation of the feet and base
hierarchical_section_title: Equine conformation / Conformation of the feet and base
caption_attribution_description: English: Mayano Top Gun 日本語: マヤノトップガン（阪神競馬場、阪神大賞典パドック）
context_page_description: Equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other. Undesirable conformation can limit the ability to perform a specific task. Although there are several faults with universal disadvantages, a horse's conformation is usually judged by what its intended use may be. Thus "form to function" is one of the first set of traits considered in judging conformation. A horse with poor form for a Grand Prix show jumper could have excellent conformation for a World Champion cutting horse, or to be a champion draft horse. Every horse has good and bad points of its conformation and many horses excel even with conformation faults.
context_section_description: The hooves bear all the weight of the horse. As each foot hits the ground, a concussive force passes through the foot up to the leg. The complex structure of the hoof is designed to absorb this impact, preventing injury. The internal hoof structure also aids circulation. When a horse is ridden, the weight of the rider adds to the force absorbed by the legs and feet. Poor conformation of the feet may lead to uneven or ineffective distribution of these impacts, in some cases increasing the risk of injury. Therefore, the hoof conformation is important to soundness.
  Toe-Out/Splay Footed
  The horse's feet are turned away from each other
  Common fault
  Causes winging motion that may lead to interfering injury around fetlock or splint.
  As horse wings inward, there is a chance that he may step on himself, stumble, and fall.
  A horse that is “tied in behind the elbow” has restricted movement of the upper arm because there is less clearance for the humerus (it angles into the body too much). Reduced clearance of legs causes horse to toe-out to compensate.
  Toe-In, Pigeon-Toed
  Toes of hooves face in toward each other
  Common fault
  Pigeon-toes cause excess strain on the outside of the lower structures of the limb as the horse hits hard on the outside hoof wall. This often leads to high or low ringbone. The horse is also predisposed to sidebone and sole bruising.
  The horse moves with a paddling motion, wasting energy and hastening fatigue so that he has less stamina.
  Base Narrow in Front: Toed-Out or Toed-In
  The feet are closer together and more under the body than the shoulders
  Fairly common fault
  Base-narrow, toed-out: Stresses the outside structures of the limb, especially the outside of the foot. Causes a winging motion, leading to interfering. Predisposes the horse to plaiting. The horse tends to hit himself more when fatigued.
  Base narrow, toed-in: Excessive strain on the lateral structures of fetlock, pastern, and outside of hoof wall. Causes the horse to paddle.
  The horse is least suited for speed or agility sports.
  Base Wide in Front: Toed-In or Toed-Out
  The horse stands with its feet placed wider at the shoulders, often associated with a narrow chest.
  Uncommon fault
  Base wide, toed-out: the horse lands hard on the outside of the hoof wall and places excessive strain on the medial structures of the fetlock and pastern, leading to ringbone or sidebone, & potentially spraining structures of the carpus. The horse will wing in, possibly leading to an interference injury or overload injury of the splint bone.
  Base wide, toed-in: the horse lands hard on the inside hoof wall, placing stress on the medial structures of limb. The horse will also paddle.
  Stands Close Behind/Base Narrow Behind
  With a plumb line from the point of buttock, the lower legs & feet are placed more toward the midline than the regions of hips & thigh, with a plumb line falling to the outside of the lower leg from the hock downward. Usually accompanied by bow-legged conformation.
  A fairly common fault, especially in heavily muscled horses like Quarter Horses.
  The hooves tend to wing in, so the horse is more likely to interfere. If the hocks touch, they may also interfere.
  The horse can't develop speed for rapid acceleration.
  The outside of the hocks, fetlocks, & hooves receive excessive stress & pressure. This leads to DJD, ligament strain, hoof bruising, & quarter cracks.
  The horse is best for non-speed sports & those that don't require spins, dodges, or tight turns
  The Hoof
  Feet Too Small  
  Relative to size and body mass, the feet are proportionately small
  There is a propensity to breed for small feet in Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, and American Quarter Horses.
  A small foot is less capable of diffusing impact stress with each footfall than a larger one.
  On hard footing, the foot itself receives extra concussion. Over time, this can lead to sole bruising, laminitis, heel soreness, navicular disease, and ringbone. Sore-footed horses take short, choppy strides, so they have a rough ride and no gait efficiency.
  If the horse has good shoeing support, it can comfortably p
caption: Toeing out causing the horse to wing-in with the front legs.
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