Horses ... a simple question ?

Question

i just read (cause i'm still learning) that: cow-hocked, where the hocks are close together. Generally speaking, this is considered a fault, although in draft horses cow hocks are a desirable trait as it is thought this helps them pull loads.

so if i had a draft horse in a halter class (assuming i understand this correctly) then would it be for or against me if the horse was cow-hocked? is it the horse who has the best conformation that wins(less faults) or is it the horse most like their breed standards that wins?

thanks, just figured i'd ask instead of hurtin my self all night trying to come up with a good answer myself that i understood correctly.

Answer 1

Depends on which "halter" class you entered.  Halter classes are usually breed specific,  QH's with QH build, Arabian with Arabian build, etc.  If you were entering a draft halter class you would be judged according to the specifics of that breed. If you were  in an "open" class or grade class, it would depend on the judge but I would thing "cow hocks" would not be favored!

Answer 2

the horses will be judged on both their conformation and their breed standards. Cow hocked would be against you as it may restrict the movement of the horse and although many draught horses may be cow hocked the judge will be looking for a horse both specific to it's breed and it's ability to move and its conformation. hope this helps

Answer 3

I think if it said to be a desirable trait in Draft horses then thats what the judge should look for. Judges should be trained for each specific breed that they judge. I don't know much about draft horses, but if thats what they call for then thats what should be followed.

Answer 4

Hello,

I think that if it was a fair judge they would go by the confirmation standards of each breed represented.  That would be in the unbiased world.  Most shows, be it horse or dog are very political.

FYI- lots of speed event horses are cow hocked, they say it makes them more athletic and quicker to turn.

Answer 5

It's considered a flaw in the draft breeds just like every other breed. :)  The judges may overlook it to a certain extent if it's not really bad, but it is not something that a horse would get points for!   Cow hocks are the result of poor rear end confirmation and there isn't a draft breed standard out there that accepts that.

Answer 6

Best conformation is usually the same as breed conformation. While cow hocks can help in pulling as they allow the hind foot to over reach the front hoof without interfering, they are still a structural unsoundness and this is what the judges are judging on. However, if the horse is superior in the majority of his traits and the defect is minor, plus the other competitiors are not as good over all, this horse may win a halter class. As a defect, these hocks help a horse reach farther, but this does stress the joint enough to cause breakdowns as he competes. So it's a trade off. You may have better performance, but not for as long as a cleanly hocked horse, who may not perform as highly as the cow hocked individual, but will be able to perform much, much longer in good health. And the judges will take this into consideration, and base their decisions accordingly.