Sidewinder is a term describing a neurologic older horse with a sudden alteration in gait causing the hindquarters of the horse to list to one side when the horse walks.
By checking horses' feet and legs daily - during grooming, before and after a ride, and the day after a hard workout - lameness will be apparent at an early stage.
Conformation of the head and shoulders of your horse is discussed in this article, second in the series by noted author Heather Smith Thomas.
The anatomy of the equine with fine legs and a large body puts the horse in a precarious position, and, as a horse owner, taking prompt action when any signs of lameness occur save time and money and possibly your horse's life.
This series of five articles on equine conformation will be of great help when selecting a horse for the job you want done. A horse with well-balanced conformation can do nearly any job reasonably well.
Learn how the conformation of the hind legs of your horse affects both soundness and athletic ability as discussed in this article, the fourth in the series of articles on horse conformation, by noted author Heather Smith Thomas.
Conformation of the front legs of your horse is discussed in this article, third in the series by noted author Heather Smith Thomas.
A horse is a horse - I think not! Learn how conformation differs among various types of horses that are breed for different types of activities. Selecting the right breed for your equine interests should be your goal.
Learn about the dangers of riding or conditioning your horse in deep sand. Avoid the strains, stresses and fatigue that come from riding in deep sand.
Judging a horse's conformation takes careful study and knowledge of horse anatomy. Because of their importance to the performance and soundness of a horse, the legs are the major area of focus in judging conformation.