Understanding Roach Back in Horses: Causes and Care
Learn about roach back in horses, a condition affecting the shape of the spine. This rare issue requires special attention and care to manage effectively.
It is also known as arched back, herring back, hog-backed, kyphosis/acquired kyphosis, and ridge-backed.
Most people are familiar with 'swayback' in horses, where the line of the back dips downwards in the middle like a hammock. The reverse condition, where the spine is very straight or bows upwards into a hump, is commonly referred to as "roach back" (a.k.a., hyperkyphosis). The underlying cause of roach back is a deformity of the spine. While there is little objective data, this condition is considered rare.
Development
When a crooked back naturally occurs (not from injury), it is not apparent in the foal but can often be detected around six to nine months of age. As they age, a horse with this condition may show a limited range of movement due to their spine being less flexible. Some consider that even mildly roach-backed horses tend to be weaker in the hind legs than properly conformed horses. There are case studies where roach back and hind limb weakness have been documented, but these tend to be those more severely affected.
Health
Simple Congenital Kyphosis
In cases where roach back develops early and is the primary problem the prognosis is pretty good. In a great many cases the horses with mild to moderate congenital roach back will be able to be ridden and will exhibit no major health problems.
Complex Cases
However, roach back is a general conformation trait and is not always isolated or congenital. Roach back can be caused by trauma to the spine. It may be secondary to other conditions such as dwarfism, scoliosis, or calcinosis. These more complex causes of kyphosis can have health consequences such as pain in the hind limbs and/or hind limb weakness. In some cases, acquired kyphosis appears at the same time as lameness, and it may be resolved when the lameness is successfully treated. Therefore, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the full nature of a roach-backed horse's condition and manage the animal appropriately.
Behavior
In the Victorian era, it was common to attribute behavioral problems to a horse's appearance. For example, a horse with a roach back was deemed more likely to buck. Just as with human phrenology, this is now considered a myth. However, working horses with serious deformities would be likely to cause pain, which might explain the origin of this belief.
It was also thought that horses with a more marked roach back may have a more sudden movement when jumping an obstacle - sometimes referred to as a "buck jump" - and generally have a rough movement. This may be the case when the condition is associated wth limited mobility in the spine.
Roached Champions
Some champion horses have been described as roach-backed. Including:
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Roughside (Winner, Chester Cup 1900)
Summary
Uncomplicated roach back is not debilitating but may require management and careful saddle design. Severe or complex cases may make an animal unsuitable for riding.