That is the saying on the bill I receive from my farrier. I never really thought much about its importance until my mare turned 4 year old and had a late growth spurt.

When I bought her as a “coming 3 year old” she was a petite little girl, with petite little legs and hooves to match. Then, as she approached her 4 fourth year, she grew both in height and girth; my “petite little girl” wasn’t so petite anymore. Unfortunately, her petite little legs still had tiny feet attached to them. She ended up with some lameness problems stemming from her strong athletic ability not being supported by her little “tootsies”.

A trip to the good Dr. Bennett in Kentucky identified this problem and with his suggestions for different shoeing (and lots of rest since she had a tear in her suspensory ligament) we now have a sound mare ready for the coming show season.

The article, “Study: Farrier Selection Impacts More That Hoof Shape” published on TheHorse.com discusses a farrier’s role in keeping horse sound and in the show ring:

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This week’s poll question is up: “How important in the Internet in searching for, and ultimately purchasing a new show horse?” 

 Also let us know how you use the internet in your search for horses and if you have bought a show horse via the internet (classifieds, stable/trainer websites…)?  To let us know, comment on this post.

We had a couple of very good questions for the judges last week.  Although only one answer has been posted so far, I have 2 or 3 other judges working on them also.  Those will be posted as soon as I receive them.

 I would love to have other questions ready to go for the next round, so let’s hear those questions that have been stewing in your minds all winter.  I know more are out there.  Even if they seem insignificant to you, you can bet somebody else is wondering the same thing. 

The following comes to us from Valerie Low NYSMHS Club Historian & Webmaster
There are several fun offerings on the nysmhs.org website:

You can learn more about Mrs. Marilyn Childs (our recent AMHA Hall of
Fame inductee) by visiting her profile.

Then there’s a short continuation on Wendy Ayers (was Weber) who used
to be one of the “Harolyn Hill Girls” as Mrs. Childs called her
equitation students/summer campers.

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Morgan Geldings Three and Over
1) Whispering Masqued Man (Bob Kellert, rider; Deborah Phelan, owner)
2) Alibi Yell It Out (Audrey Mangan, rider; Richard and Janet French, owner)

Morgan Geldings Grand Championship
1) Whispering Masqued Man (Bob Kellert, rider; Deborah Phelan, owner)
2) Alibi Yell It Out (Audrey Managan, rider; Richard and Janet French, owner)

Morgan Fillies Two Years and Under
1) Shes Isadora (Caprice Soltice Zoumaras, rider; Frank and Ann Miller, owner)
2) WCS Holiday Falon (Darcey Attig, rider; Barker and Hoyt, owner)

Morgan Grand Champion Mare
1) Shes Isadora (Caprice Soltice Zoumaras, rider; Frank and Ann Miller,owner)
2) WCS Holiday Falon (Darcey Attig, rider; Barker and Hoyt, owner)

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Spring Cleaning Sale! Check out my sales Page for photos. Jerald Roadmaster A showcart, with wooden and chrome wire wheels, custom paint and brass package. Also for sale Klinke Dressage saddle, 17?med tree- like new. Courbette USDF bridle, NEW. Also some fun Morgan art work for sale! www.skyloftmorgans.com

(editors note: This ad was originally placed as a comment by “Skyloft” but I wanted it to get more exposure – BEB)

Question:

I want to know why, in the In-Hand division, we never see a Western or Hunter or Classic Pleasure, or even a Dressage horse pinned Grand Champion. I don’t consider “Because they don’t show” an adequate answer. Maybe I’m way off-base, but I suspect that they no longer show in-hand because they didn’t win. My follow-up question is, “What would it take to make the in-hand classes truly about type and conformation?”

“Judge 1″ Answer

All horses, no matter what division can show in the in hand classes. It is a section that is to be judged on the breed standard and proper conformation. Some people feel that if their horse does not trot sky high they do not have a chance at winning. If judged properly, and your horse has great conformation, this should not be the case. If you recall a few years ago at the Morgan Grand National a very famous WC Gelding was also the WC Classic Pleasure horse. He has perfect breed type and conformation. There where many geldings trotting way higher than him but he won.

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Questions regarding Hunter class judging answered by “Judge 1”:
(2 of the questions are answered together since they were related. Also to shorten the post I have edited the questions. To see the question in its entirety go to “What Would You Ask A Judge?”)

Questions:
1)Some judges judge (Hunter and Park classes) right to the book, and others seem to go more for a stylized Morgan. I would be very interested to know why this happens, and what we can do to gain more consistency between shows? Several of the World Champion hunters over the past two years have been successful English Pleasure horses the season before. Meanwhile, horses such as Zimbabwe who were tough to beat a couple of years ago don’t seem to be as successful against the higher headed bigger moving hunters. Why is that?

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Last March 2005, I was watching a program on PBS when a notice appeared about ” Texas Ranch House Reenactment.” Like Santa, I flew from my seat and raced to the computer and looked up ” Texas Ranch House’” I filled out the application faster than you could say ” On Donner! On Blitzen! On Comet! On Cupid!”

My application to be on the Texas Ranch house PBS reality show whisked through cyber space and landed in the piles and piles and piles of applications. I had to wait until June to either hear from or not hear from PBS television.

I was soooo sure I was going. I had a plan. I was going to befriend two young cowboys and have them buy me two little steers. Those young guys were going to halter brake those steers and teach them to come when called. Then we would teach those steers to swim so we would have the lead steers for the cattle drive, which was to take place at the end of the program. By owning the swimming steers–those boys, steers and I could lead the cattle drive. Man -I was sooooooo prepared to go to Texas. I wanted to go sooooo badly.

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The UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show, held May 8-11, 2008 in Woodside, CA, is including a Morgan Division in this year’s show. As stated on the Saddle Horse Report website:

The show will be held May 8-11 and features a wonderful venue and a great atmosphere. The schedule contains daytime classes only, which leaves exhibitors plenty of time to enjoy the parties along with great restaurants in the Woodside area. The show will also feature “Pink Ribbon Classes” which are offered to help find a cure for breast cancer.

For more information regarding hotel accommodations and prize list availability see the Saddle Horse Report website or call show manager Peter Fenton at 859-321-9281.