ewe-necked
Definition
- Adjective: Describing a horse (or occasionally another animal) that has a neck that is thin, concave, and bends inward from the withers to the poll, resembling the neck of a ewe (a female sheep). This conformation is often considered undesirable in equestrian contexts.
Usage Examples
- (The horse's neck had an inward curve, like a sheep's.)
- (A ewe-necked horse is not preferred for riding or showing.)
Advanced Usage
- "Ewe-necked conformation": A specific anatomical term used in equine science.
- The ewe-necked conformation can lead to stiffness in the horse's back and difficulty in bending. (The inward-curving neck structure causes physical problems.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ewe (noun): a female sheep.
- The ewe grazed quietly in the field. (A female sheep.)
- Neck (noun): the part of the body connecting the head to the trunk.
- The horse's neck was long and muscular. (The anatomical structure.)
Synonyms
- Concave-necked: having a neck that curves inward.
- Swan-necked (antonym): having a neck that curves gracefully outward (desirable in horses).
Related Idioms
- "Ewe-necked as a horse": A direct comparison used to describe any animal or person with a similarly shaped neck.
- The old dog was as ewe-necked as a horse, with a thin, sagging neck. (The dog's neck resembled that of a ewe-necked horse.)
Notes on Usage
- This term is primarily used in veterinary medicine, equestrian sports, and horse breeding. It is rarely applied to humans or non-equine animals outside of metaphorical or descriptive contexts.