Arabians, NSH & Pintos with
excellent dispositions.
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Withers, Backs and Loins
This online issue is devoted to backs, withers, loins and coupling.The back is perhaps the second most important part of a horse physically. It's a relatively long, flexible area, probably not meant for carrying added weight, that not only carries added weight, but occasionally does so without much help in balance from the rider!
The Arabian horse has a moderate wither, short, strong back, well-arched loins and smooth coupling, according to the standard description. All of these points are common to all good riding horses, with the note that the Arabian wither is not as high, traditionally, as some. In other words, none are features of type, rather than conformation.
Today, it seems some of our horses, of various bloodlines, seem a bit longer in the back than desirable. Some people want a more "square" profile. Others are convinced that short backs together with long legs will cause the horse to forge (the hind hooves to strike the forefeet in movement) due to the lack of length allowance for a long stride.
I hope you find this array of withers, backs and loins interesting. All notes represent my own opinions, and are not intended to be the final word on anything, but rather, a springboard for further reflection, investigation or discussion.
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a short back | no wither | good loin |
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medium length | wither | good loin |
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long back |
| weak loin |
Smooth bodied to the right |
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| Rough coupled to the left |
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Last updated December 10, 2000 by Buffy MacLeod
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