Swayback Horse
74
The Photograph
An unmarked picture showing a man in uniform holding the tail of a grazing horse. i would estimate this picture to date from the 1930s. Can anyone identify the uniform?
The Animal
A black horse with an extremely bowed top line/back.
The Condition
Most horses are know employed in sport or leisure activity so it has become rather rare to see such an advanced case of "sway back". Swayback occurred with animals that have been ridden a lot, or carried heavily loads or multiple pregnancies.
Swayback is more likely to develop in horses with a long back and high head carriage and especially those with Saddlebred genetics, and may also be exacerbated by diseases like Cushings. Advanced cases are typically quite elderly animals.
Essentially the soft tissues have stretch and relaxed allowing a spinal deformity that can look quite alarming. however in most cases the animal is functioning quite normally and not in distress.
Swayback in young horses is more likely to reflect poor breeding or overly severe use or training.
Other Examples:
- United States (2003)
- United States (2007)
CommentsLoading...
Interesting. One of my older horses has developed a very slight sway back with age, he also has a very long back.
Momstalk Level 1 Commenter 5 months ago
Interesting. It looks like they'd be in pain.