In reference to a June 2009Western Horseman article about the ethics of showing young horses, I’d like to make a comment from the hoof standpoint (no pun intended :).
Many times the soundness or lameness of the horse originates from the hoof. Thus when discussing the training and competing of young horses I believe it is essential to consider proper hoof care and soundness.
I have recently been doing a lot of trimming at a cutting horse barn of a nationally acclaimed cutting horse trainer. I say trimming for two reasons. First, they already have a shoer who has been with them for a number of years. Since I am new to the area and trying to re-build a clientele base, I introduced myself to this trainer and have since taken over trimming horses that the shoer just isn’t getting scheduled. Second, he and his wife believe that the young horses going through their first year of training don’t really need shoes because they are being ridden in a nice sandy arena and getting proper nutrition and exercise and trimmed on a regular basis. I believe the horses they raise and have kept barefoot into the horses three year old year have good, sound, as well as, healthy size (compared to many cutting horses) feet. Thus, in my opinion, less lameness issues tend to arise as these youngsters are pushed through the training they need to win at the National level. If a colt’s welfare is to remain the first priority, and their minds can take the pressure then once again reassess the old adage “no hoof, no horse”.