Show Horses

[Skinfaxi]

I worked in a National Show Horse/boarding barn in NW Chicagoland for 6-7 months last year. I attended the WISHS show in Madison the Aug before last. Our barn had a country Arab mare and an English Pleasure NSH mare at the show. I know that this way of keeping feet is hotly debatable...that's why I'm starting it. The time I was working there I was not planing to be a trimmer or farrier, so I didn't look through those eyes(if I could go back...) The farrier we had in before the show is respected and works many shows. I am thinking back an have looked at some photos from the show, and I wonder how(if) those horses are actually sound. I would like to hear some experienced opinions on the subject.

[smitty88]

send on your pics
like to see them

[Skinfaxi]

They are just of horses being ridden outside and they aren't very good but I'll put up a few.

[Mike Ferrara]

I know some people in the are and would be interested in hearing who the farrier was.

Keeping long feet on a stack of pads has it's challenges. I think most can be managed but that doesn't mean that they always are. To an extent the same is probably true for any working horse. I haven't seen any more problems in long footed horses than I have in polo, racing, jumping or even city carriage horses.

[Skinfaxi]

Geesh! for the life of me I can't remember his last name. "Jerimiah something"
a younger, friendly (and rather handsome) fella. I think he said he works alot of shows and show barns and spends quite a bit of time traveling to KY and such. NSH, Morgans ect...if I'm remembering correctly. Before him we had a local guy named "Jeremy something" They are not related. He wasn't bad, just not experienced in long footed horses enough to give the owner quite what she was looking for. The barn was/is located in Spring Grove IL.
I just had noticed that manny horses kept that way look flared and land toe first. I don't know if they are in pain or not, I just don't know if I would consider a toe first landing sound. I also noticed alot of excess tension in the shoulder and top line, but that could be from a lot of things I suppose.


P.S. I have some photos from the WISHS show before last. I'll try to put them up tomorrow. If I can't get it to work could I send them to someone?