Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Wouldn't you love to pick the brains of someone like my gal, Val, on this 
very issue?  Conformation is one of those things that I seem to figure out 
after I purchase the horse.  I think one of the tricks is to find out who is 
really good at this and buy your horse from them.

Truman, this would be something excellent to put into the Oconee clinic if 
it isn't already there.  As much as one tries to study and learn from those 
conformation books, it would be really cool to listen to an endurance expert 
like Val or Darolyn or Stagg or .... (I could go on with this; the list 
includes every endurance rider except for me) on what they look for, 
conformation wise, before purchasing a new horse.

I think it's a great idea, Kathy.  My guess is that part of the clinic would 
have a full house.

cya,
Howard


> From: "Kathy Ramspott" <kramspott@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,<tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> CC: <anyone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,<cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx>,<ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [RC]   A questionWhat is the most common cause of horses going 
> lame at
> Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 09:47:29 -0400
>
> A clinic that addresses these issues and others regarding
> confirmation/compensation etc would be awesome.  Anyone know of a region
> that puts one on?  Specifically for the endurance horse?
>
> Kathy R
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
> heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 7:40 PM
> To: tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc: anyone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [RC] A questionWhat is the most common cause of horses going
> lame at
>
> > At the SERA convention this past year this was the subject of the main
> > speaker. He came loaded with lots of photos both optical and IR. There
> > seems to be a couple issues, first is poor shoeing as Karen points out.
>
> This is a biggie--and indeed, rocks caught in shoes are very rare when the
> foot is properly shod with the heels left wide enough to support the foot
> in maximum expansion, as they should be, unless the horse has REALLY
> narrow and contracted feet.  Which goes to Truman's next comment...
>
> > Another is conformation - not built to do what they are being asked.
>
> I am SO glad to hear that that is being identified as a reason!  And it
> isn't primarily leg conformation--it is body conformation that causes the
> horse to literally trash his legs.  Horses with long backs, poor angles,
> etc. are really hard on legs--add a rider and a lot of concussive miles
> and you have a recipe for lameness.
>
> >The
> >  third the most likely cause is compensation. They are compensating for
> > a  minor stone bruise or maybe unbalanced shoeing in one leg and end up
> > lame on another. The are compensating for a minor stone bruise on one
> > foot and end up muscle tired (and hence stiff and lame ) on another. He
> > had some great IR photos of stone bruises that probably wouldn't show up
> >  with hoof testers but would surely cause compensation.
>
> Not sure compensation is a "cause" as much as it is an effect--unless we
> are talking about compensation for poor conformation.  What you get here
> is a domino effect--one thing is a little bit lame, so the horse
> compensates, and makes something else even more lame.  But definitely
> something to be aware of.
>
> All of these things boil down to rider judgment--as does being properly
> conditioned.  And the bottom line is still frequently speed--a horse going
> faster than what his conformation/conditioning/capability can handle.
>
>
> Heidi
>
>
> ============================================================
> ...but then, I do ride my horses a lot more than most people
> ~  Karen Chaton
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
>
> ============================================================
>
>
> ============================================================
> ...but then, I do ride my horses a lot more than most people
> ~  Karen Chaton
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
>
> ============================================================

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They're athletes! This is a partnership between horse and rider - we don't
have any jockeys out there, just pals and partners. We'd allow a rider with
a broken foot, a sore back and a nasty cold to compete - but we would never
let a horse in a similiar condition hit the trail. 
~  Dr. Barney Flemming DVM

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