Uphill - Downhill Conformation

A good eye can quickly assess a horse’s suitability to varied disciplines by its appearance, & quickly provide an indication of a horses way of going, by assessing its conformation characteristics such as bone structure, levering and muscle shape.

Horses are used for all types of purposes such as flat racing, jumping, stock work, hunting and fine dressage. For this reason the required ideal conformation for such a wide array of disciplines varies greatly. As an example, let’s look at the racehorse that simply has to gallop at speed over distance regardless of style, and compare that to the slow, but refined and collected movement of the dressage horse. We also have a large number of breeds that vary greatly, including the big heavy draft horses, hot tempted, but fine Arabian horses, through to the smaller, stockier and mannered Quarter horse. Certainly many traits will cross between the breeds and types of horses, however, when assessing a horse’s conformation, there are obvious and subtle, but important variations, which can be assessed, together with its breeding, as an indication of the horse’s best suited discipline.

Generally conformation-wise horses fall under two categories. Up and downhill types. The usual method of assessing a horses type is not clear. The majority will rate a horse as being either down or uphill by the comparative height of its wither and croup. A horse with a higher wither is often said to be uphill, a horse with a higher croup downhill. Slightly advanced on this, a imaginary line can also be drawn between a horses hip point and the mid of its neck set, and the slope of this line is used to determine the outcome.

Most show type horses ideally require an uphill build, while many speedy racing types will have a downhill build. However when someone is looking for a horse regardless of which type, they are generally also looking for related traits that go along with the type, whether they realize it or not. A quality type of horse by conformation will possess traits throughout that consistently match its own particular type.

.We have thrown away the old text books, and used computer software to analyze the two types in detail, and from scratch, to determine the obvious, and subtle conformation variations that go with each. This has been accomplished by measuring key vertical and horizontal lines, bones lengths and angles. Traits that go with each type have been assessed, and the information collated, to successfully identify horses that are best suited to disciplines that require specific up or downhill traits. Against the old text book standard, when all the related traits are considered, we have found an uphill horse, can in fact have a higher croup than wither, just like the downhill can have a higher wither, than croup, although this is rare

The downhill types generally have a bone structure levered towards fast movement, with a short, compact, and stronger stride. Alternatively the uphill type is predominantly levered towards a naturally long, relaxed, and efficient stride. Mentally the downhill types are more likely to be hot, while the uphill type typically comes across as submissive and tractable. This may be observed when both handling and riding.

It is important to note that although the average uphill types has longer end levers, when its hoofs strike the turf, it won’t be capable of generating the pure pace of the downhill type, as it lacks the strength to generate power against the opposing forces of the ground, gravity, drag, inertia etc. But the uphill types longer end levers enable it to quickly pickup its own limbs, providing it with the time to propel its legs higher and further forward in preparation for its next long stride. Although the longer stride may have less force once they strike the ground, it’s an efficient, energy saving stride well suited to endurance. The downhill type in turn has the strength to power through the ground, but its strong stride may lack some speed through the air, meaning a slower preparation during the recoil faze for its next stride. In effect meaning it lacks the longer striding efficiency of the uphill horse.

Quality downhill  running types typically can jump and run, and can show a turn of foot, but can tire quickly, and stop as if shot when exhausted. Alternately a show type may take time to find its fastest stride, but will steadily keep working even if somewhat fatigued. Although conformation gearing plays it part in this, it is primarily as a result of the individual muscle types of each type. Although all horses possess a mix of both fast and slow twitch fibers, a downhill type will generally have higher proportions of fast twitch fibers (two types), while the show type will possess an increased ratio of slow twitch fibers.The fast twitch fibres provide a horse with strength and speed, while the slow type provide a horse with endurance. But this can be breed related, as an example it should be noted that a Quarter horse, despite having a uphill endurance build, will be likely to still have more fast twitch fibers that the downhill speedy type Thoroughbred.

Mixing traits

Ability wise, it is reasonable to assume that the horse with conformation that matches the discipline may be significantly advantaged over the rival that is unmatched. Taking this a step further the horse that consistently has either the required uphill, or downhill traits throughout its bone structure, may also be considered to be advantaged. Of course, some disciplines may require specific traits from both the standard up and downhill types. An example of this may be the show jumper, as it usually requires a good sloping shoulder, typical of the uphill type, along with strong hind quarters for power to lift and propel itself over high jumps, typical of downhill types. Some traits from each type are not ideally placed in the one horse, such as a horse with the downhill traits of the upright shoulder and longer back, together with the uphill types lighter hind quarters, as these combination results in a weak type of horse that can be used for general purposes only.

If the horses overall fore and hind levers are measured from its wither and croup, all the way down to a ground level, the uphill types closed joints of the upper body, can also provide it with longer levers, once straightened as often required during motion, the longer overall lever may lack some strength, but increases efficiency. Where as the open joints of the downhill type, may provide it with shorter and stronger overall levers suited over short distances This can explained by comparing the S and I shaped, even thou both are of the same height, when the more angler S shape is stretched out, it will be longer than the more static I shape. The two prime joint angles of the hip and shoulder points also need to be of a similar angle, as if one is closed to the extreme, while the other is open to the extreme, this will result in uneven overall fore and hind levers, leading to an uneven stride. Open joints produce a straighter & shorter overall lever, while closed joints leave an overall longer lever.

Maturity levels should also be a serious consideration when purchasing younger growing types, as their growth patterns can be quite inconsistent. Uphill types will generally mature at a slower rate, and later than the downhill types. While the Weanling will often temporally possess many uphill traits, such as closed prime joints, shortened back and sloping shoulder, the yearling will alternately possess many downhill traits such as a high croup, deepening girth, longer back and upright shoulder with open prime joints. The yearling that is breed to be downhill make retain the traits of its Yearling appearance with age, while the uphill type may change significantly, especially when first worked or educated as a 2yo+.

Bone structure conformation can also be inherited, thus many educated breeders also acknowledge that matching like-type horses provides them with a getter degree of accuracy in determining what type of offspring to expect from the mating, as the offspring is likely to throw somewhere between the varied traits of its parents. Mating horses of different types may provide a foal with an undesired mix of bone lengths, angles and muscle types, which may result in an unbalanced horse. In theory it is also likely to produce a sounder horse, and increases the chances of reproducing a quality horse if breeding from like-type and proven parents. Those who breed along these lines believe if a sire and dam have already proven themselves, with there own individual traits as is, why would they want to increase the risk of losing that combination of  proven traits, by matching it with a mate of an opposing type..

In turn, let’s analyze the typical conformation traits, which indicate whether a horse has conformation gearing bias towards up or downhill. These traits, along with muscle type, help determine the unique styles of each type..

The Downhill type

Muscle type: Possesses a higher proportion of fast twitch type muscles. Typically these are bulky, rounded and shorter muscles. This shape may be observed form side on, by looking for muscle shape (curve) at the front of the forearms. The bulky muscles can lack flexibility, and can be susceptible to injury, acute micro muscle tears and soreness, especially when the horse is worked while fresh or fatigued. Importantly this type of muscle does add essential strength. Fast twitch muscle fiber relies heavily on stored energy within the horse prior to hard work, thus the depletion of energy can leave the downhill horse traveling well, before suddenly suffering exhausted, seemingly within a few strides.

Bone structure: Starting with the fore limbs, downhill types possess short & upright pasterns, short cannons, and longer forearms. When analyzing the upper forequarters, open shoulder joints may be observed with a slightly shorter and upright shoulder blade. From the front view expect a wide chest. The neck may appear short, bulkier, and low set, usually resulting in a lower head carriage. Definition will often be well defined where the neck fits into the well muscled shoulders. The downhill type may have a well shaped, intelligent head, with good width between the eyes, and wide nostrils with a deep jaw. The open shoulder joint means this type may have a horizontally restricted chest depth when viewed from side-on. This is also as a result of having a vertically deep girth, and slightly shorter legs overall. The shorter and upright shoulder blade, along with the deeper girth, leaves less scope for extended stride length, but aids in producing a shorter and stronger stride, which helps maintains a high stride turnover rate over short distances. The typical downhill types upper forequarters may also lead to a slightly choppy action, especially if combined with a short humerus bone. This type will typically have good bone.

The upright shoulder can also lead to the horse having a proportionally longer back when mature. The long back can help to produce a lower profile, and quicker stride. The extra length may leave the back prone to weakness, meaning the sprinter may lack lift from it hind quarters, resulting in the fore quarters having to rush its lower limbs forward during the recovery stage of motion, thus restricting its stride length, and often producing a flatter body action. Although with good downhill types, this may be offset somewhat by larger, stronger and more powerful hindquarters, which helps provide lift through the fore. This types rear cannon may also be short, along with short and particularity upright rear pasterns. In theory open hip and stifle joints may also results in a shorter total rear lever.

Galloping/motion traits: Jump and run type, and a high cruising speed; a short and sharp sprint; can stop as if shot when fatigued, and may pull up knocked up and blowing from exhaustion, especially when lacking fitness.

Overall the downhill type can be expected to have a long and heavy body type. The pure downhill types will often have well developed and defined muscles.

The Uphill type

Muscle type: Possesses a higher proportion of slow twitch type muscles. Typically these appear as smoother muscles, which, as with the downhill type, may be readily observed from side on when looking for muscle shape (less curve or flat) at the front of the horses forearms. These long and lean muscles are usually flexible and sound, capable of working for extended periods. These types of muscles can continue to gather some energy from the air a horse intakes to its cardio vascular system, and as this energy can be replenished during hard work, they are ideally suited as endurance requirements increase.

Bone structure: Once again, starting with the forequarters, the uphill type may have well angled and long pasterns, long cannons, with a comparatively short forearm, and appear leggy overall. The upper forequarters may have a particularly closed shoulder joint. This allows for a good shoulder angle and a horizontally deep chest. The closed fore joints of this type may be a key to gaining greater power through its forequarters. Arguably the required shorter muscles of this type of joint are further stretched when the joint fully straightens and opens during full motion. An elastic rebounding effect applies to a pre-stretched and rebounding muscle, and the greater and faster the stretch, the more power the related muscles can generate during the rebound. This can be likened to how a sling shot is pre-loaded with elastic stretching, thus gaining significant power on the rebound.

This type’s shoulder blade may also have some good length, but will often be vertically shallow girth wise. When viewed from the front expect a narrower chest. The uphill type’s neck may be long, lean, and set high, resulting in a higher head carriage. Its head may also be long and thin. All the above factors allow for extra scope with this types stride, leading to a potentially long striding horse.

The well sloped shoulder can lead to a shorter back. The short back can enable a good reach forward from the hind legs, and allow additional lift through the forequarters, both of which again extends stride length. This types hind quarters may be typically smaller than the downhill type, and the its rear cannons may also be longer, along with its sloped pasterns. It is standard for the fore cannons to have comparatively more slope than the hind pasterns on all horses, regardless of breed or type.

The long end levers of this type (along with immaturity), thinner bones, and its ever lasting endurance type muscles, may leave it susceptible to bone, cartilage (joints) or tendon damage, as the levering produces more pressure on the joints supporting the long levers with hard work. An example of this is the compounding effect of a short forearm, with contrasting a long cannon and pastern. This combination allows the ground and gravity forces to apply extra stress on the higher knee joint.

Galloping/motion traits: Slow to pick up top pace, lowered cruising speed that often results with it battling to keep pace, a longer and sustained sprint, and when exhausted can still dig deep, or only fading slowly.

Overall the uphill type typically has a tall and lean body type with longer cannons and pasterns, adding to its leggy appearance.

The top line.

It is rare to  observe horses with sloping shoulder AND a long back, or a straight shoulder AND a short back, as these two combinations would put the horse out of proportion as far as its own length x height ratios are concerned, and would produce quite an ungainly looking horse. When considering the top line it is a matter of taking into consideration a whole horses balance, rather than just areas such as the shoulder or back in isolation.

Consider if a horse has a straight shoulder and short back, this combination will also lead to it lacking length, and appear more like a giraffe than a racehorse. And a horse with a sloping shoulder and long back is likely to too long for its height, appearing similar to a low profile sausage dog. In truth sloping shoulders usually result in short backs, and straight shoulders in long backs.

Therefore a typical downhill type will have an upright shoulder, and most likely will have a medium-long back to match. And the uphill type may have a sloping shoulder, along with a  short-medium back to match. In younger horses, immature staying types may have by proportion longer backs. Once these types mature and fill out through their quarters, particularly the forequarters, their backs will often shorten in comparison.

Summing up

The uphill will generally have a lighter, looser, even or uphill appearance, and the downhill type a heavier, compact downhill appearance.

In theory room for developing a horses cardiovascular system, which is primarily made up of its heart & lungs in the chest area, can be gained in distinctly two varied ways. The uphill type is more likely to gain chest volume through horizontal depth, as indicated with good horizontal length from its chest to wither, and girth depth, where as the downhill type gains its volume primary from a likewise deep girth. A wide chest & barrel aids chest volume in both cases, but more so in the downhill type.  Both types have a similar girth / elbow to fetlock ratios. The variation being the sprinter has both shorter cannons, effectively meaning a slightly shorter overall lever, and longer forearms.

If you wish to view an example of a horse at full gallop displaying uphill gearing and its affect on a long stride, obtain a video of American Champion Secretariat. In slow motion you may note the high knee lift and the forelegs almost idling mid air way out in front of its body, in early preparation for their next stride. Of course, its uphill gearing alone may not be responsible for a long stride, as sheer athletic traits, lung and energy capacity, injuries, and muscles types, also play there part in this.

The majority of horses will possess a combination of up and downhill traits, and many horses will perform against what their own traits may suggest. Apart from a horses bone structure, a number of factors can ultimately determine a horses ideal discipline, including its energy system, muscle type, pre training, willingness, age etc. Small variations of just a few percent typically make up the majority of horse conformation variations, which can often pass undetected to all but the most experienced eye. Thus It is important to note that a horses conformation should be used only as a guide to a horses potential capabilities in any chosen field.

 

 

 

 

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