Summary The variation in conformation of 356 Swedish Warmblood horses is described, using a quantitative method of measuring horses. Thirty‐three of the horses were élite dressage horses, 28 were élite showjumpers, 100 were riding school horses and 195 were unselected four‐year‐olds. Most horses had a long body form. The average height at the withers was 163.4 cm. Sixty per cent of the horses had a bench knee conformation, 50 per cent had a toe‐in conformation of the forelimbs and 80 per cent had outwardly rotated hind limbs. The majority of these deviations were mild or moderate. Conformation was influenced by sex and age. Mares were smaller and had longer bodies and shorter limbs. The élite dressage horses and showjumpers had larger hock angles and more sloping scapulas than other horses. The showjumpers also had smaller fetlock angles in the front limbs. It is suggested that the larger hock angles among the elite horses may be because hocks with small angles are more prone to injury, and because small hock angles may negatively influence the ability to attain the degree of collection necessary for good performance in advanced classes.

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Summary Five hundred four‐year‐old Standardbred Trotters in training were examined in a study on the correlation between conformation, soundness and racing performance. In 39 horses marked hindquarter asymmetries were observed when they were standing squarely on all four feet. The asymmetries were seen as obvious height differences between the left and right tubera sacrale. In 30 cases the left tuber sacrale was lower and in nine cases the right tuber sacrale was lower. The horses showing hindquarter asymmetry were of significantly larger body size than the 461 horses not showing the asymmetry. There was no sex difference in the incidence of hindquarter asymmetry. The asymmetric horses had significantly lower total earnings, a lower number of races per horse and less good racing records (min/km) than the remaining 461 horses. The trainers reported that the asymmetric horses often had difficulties in performing at speed. In most horses, the asymmetry had not been observed until the examination. Past clinical records of 11 of the 30 asymmetric horses were available. In only one of the 11 horses had the asymmetry been considered of clinical importance. It was concluded that the described hindquarter asymmetries are important signs indicating that there is an enhanced risk that the affected horses will not become successful Trotters.

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SUMMARY Synovial fluid and blood were collected from 18 clinically healthy brood mares in resting condition. The following parameters were analysed: total leucocytes, glucose, alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, albumin, total globulin, albumin/globulin ratio and electrophoretic protein picture. The serum/synovia ratios were calculated for all parameters. It was considered to be of greater diagnostic value to compare these serum/synovia ratios rather than to look at the individual concentrations in synovia. The results obtained did not materially differ from those in the existing literature. In addition, this study confirmed that small protein molecules could more easily penetrate the synovial membrane than high‐molecular proteins. RÉSUMÉ Le liquide synovial et le sang de 18 poulinières cliniquement saines furent prélevés sur les animaux au repos. On analysa les paramètres suivants: leucocytes totaux, glucose, phosphatase alcaline, lactate déhydrogénase, protéines totales, albumine, globulines totales, rapport albumine/globuline, image électrophorétique des protéines. Les rapports sérum/liquide synovial furent évalués pour tous ces paramètres. Les résultats ne diffèrent point de ceux déjà publiés. Cette étude confirme que les protéines à petite molécule peuvent traverser plus facilement que celles à grosse molécule les membranes synoviales. La comparaison des rapports sérum/liquide synovial provenant de chevaux sains et de chevaux malades s'est révélée fructueuse. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Synovialflüssigkeit und Blut wurden von 18 gesunden, ausgeruhten Zuchtstuten gewonnen. Die folgenden Parameter wurden analysiert: Gesamtleukozytenzahl, Glucose, alkalische Phosphatase (AP), Lactatdehydrogenase (LDH), Gesamteiweiss, Albumin, Gesamtglobulin, Albumin/Globulinverhältnis und das elektrophoretische Eiweissbild. Das Verhaltnis der Werte aus Serum und Synovia wurde für alle Parameter berechnet. Die Resultate weichen kaum ab von denjenigen in der Literatur. Die Untersuchungen bestätigten, dass kleine Eiweissmoleküle die Synovialmembran leichter penetrieren können als Proteine mit hohem Molekulargewicht. Es wird geschlossen, dass der Vergleich zwischen Serum/Synovia‐Verhältnissengesunder und denjenigen kranker Gelenke besonders wertvoll sei.