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Re: [RC] about vets and feet - heidiI am a journalist. I research things -- a lot. I happen to know that vets average 9 hours of specific study on horses' feet when they are in vet school. I also know that some hoof care specialists study horses' feet for 800 hours. I know you meant not to send this to the list, but I have to comment. The clues in your post (pardon me if I say this sort of error is all too common among journalists) is to compare what vets study just while they are in school to what "some" "hoof care specialists" study. To put this in another perspective--the dog and cat vet on the corner has had at least 9 hours of study of the equine hoof while in school. The reality is that those who go into equine practice have CONSIDERABLY more study regarding horses' feet than the "core curriculum" at vet school, and those who specifically deal with biomechanics and sports medicine even more. Additionally, like your "hoof care specialist," vets who deal with horses on a regular basis continue to educate themselves, reading everything they can, going to seminars, etc. Never mind that vets with years in practice have considerable practical experience. So to compare a new graduate with no equine interests who has completed the core curriculum only to a "hoof care specialist" who has made an extra effort and who has obviously been around awhile to amass that sort of education is not a very fair comparison. Likewise, there are "hoof care specialists" out there who haven't studied squat. The sad part about this sort of discussion is that it presents an "either-or" scenario. What one REALLY needs in the best interests of one's horses is a GOOD veterinarian AND a GOOD farrier (or "hoof care specialist") who will work WITH each other, and who respect each other's expertise. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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