Last Updated on February 19, 2022 by Allison Price
Progressive dipping or swaying in the back is a sign of aging. This is especially true as horses age into their 30s and 40s. Age-related swayback can be seen as a result of a grizzling or deepening of the hollows in the forehead. These are signs of aging. Their well-being will be assured by proper care and management of older horses .
However, not all horses develop a swayback over time. Some horses are born with this defect. Swayback, also known as lordosis or swayback, does not mean that affected horses cannot be ridden. However, it can make fitting into saddles difficult, if any, to some extent. Congenital swayback can be seen at birth and generally gets worse with age.
Certain breeds have predispositions to swayback. Recent research has revealed genetic markers within the American Saddlebred breed.
Roach-backed horses tend to be less common than those with swaybacks. Young horses who grow fast may experience kyphosis or roche back. The onset usually occurs between six and nine months after horses are weaned. The dorsal processes in the lumbar vertebrae have a unique height, which gives the animal its characteristic hump-backed appearance.
Researchers believe that both lordosis (or kyphosis) are caused by fetal malpositioning.
