What describes upright pasterns in horses?

Upright pasterns are characterized by their vertical positioning, which is what makes this choice accurate. In horses with upright pasterns, the angle formed by the pastern to the ground is more upright than what is considered normal. This positioning can lead to a higher degree of stress on the horse’s joints and tendons, particularly during movement or when bearing weight, which may impact their overall health and performance.

Other descriptions provide varying information that do not align with the definition of upright pasterns. For instance, pasterns positioned at a natural angle would indicate a standard, healthy alignment, while stiff and rigid pasterns imply a lack of flexibility, which is not specific to the vertical positioning of the pastern. Excessively long pasterns denote a different conformation issue altogether, indicating a length abnormality rather than the angle of the pastern relative to the ground. Thus, the vertical positioning is crucial in distinguishing upright pasterns from other conformation standards.