Post by lilysladyluck on Jun 20, 2009 21:28:49 GMT -5
Please realize that Judges HATE to DQ anyone, and we really hate having to send a lame horse to the gate.
We don't send a kid and horse out on a whim or because we want to pick on you or because we didn't like you.
This is just a general blanket statement, not meant for anyone in particular.
Sometimes a lameness is subtle only showing up in one gait, sometimes it is apparent in all gaits. And I realize that kids don't always realize that "they always move this way" isn't acceptable when the animal is clearly not moving comfortably. They may not have knowledgable adult helpers and the only way the horse will get proper medical attention is if a Judge points it out so that a vet will be sought after.
But remember that years of experience watching a horse move are very valuable tools you can use, and if someone with a practiced eye says to please have a good lameness vet look at your horse it is with good reason. There may be just the slightest hint of a problem that we can see that will save you a lot of grief later on if something is caught early rather than when it is career ending.
We don't send a kid and horse out on a whim or because we want to pick on you or because we didn't like you.
This is just a general blanket statement, not meant for anyone in particular.
Sometimes a lameness is subtle only showing up in one gait, sometimes it is apparent in all gaits. And I realize that kids don't always realize that "they always move this way" isn't acceptable when the animal is clearly not moving comfortably. They may not have knowledgable adult helpers and the only way the horse will get proper medical attention is if a Judge points it out so that a vet will be sought after.
But remember that years of experience watching a horse move are very valuable tools you can use, and if someone with a practiced eye says to please have a good lameness vet look at your horse it is with good reason. There may be just the slightest hint of a problem that we can see that will save you a lot of grief later on if something is caught early rather than when it is career ending.