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Discussion on Are hoof pads Indicated for healthy hooves in dressage? | |
Author | Message |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 4:46 pm: Our breed association is revisiting a hotly debated pad issue. Previously pads have been prohibited in the show ring. Our horses are known for their strong hooves. The cons were that pads may predispose to abuse and may enhance gaits artificially. Recently, the association said that they had a lot of dressage riders from the east and west coasts complaining that pads were used in the dressage arena. That they didn't want to have to pull the pads off to compete at the breed shows. We have shown in open dressage shows in the central US for years. Never felt that pads offered an advantage to the competitor. I.E. never felt we would have won if we just had pads on. We even show barefoot and have an excellent show record.Since this may have a great impact on our breed, I want to respond to any survey intelligently and I admit to not knowing the standard of presentation of higher level dressage horses. Are pads required at higher levels? Are they routinely used on healthy hooves? If the horse is shown on well groomed footing, are they needed? Are they cosmetic? I.E.., do competitors and judges feel that horses are better groomed with pads? Personally, I feel that pads are appropriate for certain hoof/ sole problems and that their use might be allowed if the vet provided a letter of medical necessity. Just not certain they are appropriate without medical need. (Except of course with horses being ridden on rocks, for long stretches on streets, in disciplines where there is a lot of concussion.) In the 90s, we had a couple of horses who needed pads. One was a flat footed QH from racing lines with huge, thin soled feet. The other was a Peruvian mare who foundered following a dystocia. In both cases, the vets at A & M cautioned that their use might result in excessive moisture, softened soles and difficulty in cleaning the soles. The foundered horse was provided with pads with a little door we could unscrew to treat the soles. Anyway, I would appreciate any information any of you might have regarding the need for pads in open dressage competitions. Anyone have any hard data on their incidence of use in FEI competitions? Olympics? Also, any info, whether pro or con, re: the use of pads in horses with tough, healthy hooves. Dr. O., I would also appreciate your opinion of their routine use. Thanks in advance! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: stevens |
Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 6:07 pm: Hi Judy,I guess I'm wondering why your breed association draws the line at pads yet allows shoes. I think of a pad as being similar to an insole in our shoes. I find that I'm more comfortable walking in a well-fitted shoe than barefoot and a nice cushiony insole or sock makes it even more of an improvement. I just can't imagine a pad giving such a competitive advantage to cause a debate. Maybe I'm just naive. My horse has one front foot that was pretty flat two years ago. With judicious use of pads and dental impression material his sole is finally getting concave. He wasn't crippled without the pads but sure as heck is more comfortable with them. I think it all depends on the horse. What's next; rules on the thickness of saddle pads? |
Member: shanson |
Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 6:40 pm: Gosh...first I've heard of padding being routine part of dressage "turnout." As far as I know, it's only necessary for horses that need it physically. Of course, I'm referring to therapeutic padding here, not the "padding up" that's done in Tennessee Walking Horse, Saddlebred, and Morgan show circles. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 - 1:04 pm: Hello Judy,For my take on the use of pads see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Wall Cracks and Thin Sensitive Soles it is under the Sensitive Sole > Treatment sections of that article. Running a search of 2008 USEF Dressage Division rules I do not see find any references. Concerning FEI they have different sets of rules depending on the competition but the general rules do not include a reference either. DrO |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Friday, Feb 8, 2008 - 3:51 pm: imo pads are used if there has been injury to a hoof, to protect a hoof, or to improve the angle of a hoof. I've used rim pads when when driving on hard roads; and raised pads to elevate a heel. In many breeds there are restrictions on the height of pads allowed. I've never heard of rules requiring pads for any discipline. |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 12:54 pm: Thanks for all of your follow-up. I did find the reference in your article, Dr. O. My take on this is identical to all of yours: Pads are typically used only when medically indicated. (Or the horse is being ridden under conditions or in disciplines where sole damage is likely to occur.)I hate to see their use become "standard" in our breed. Just not sure why the dressage people are the ones pushing for it. I can't find any reference to their routine use in dressage. Or why the dressage competitors would feel strongly enough about them to push for a rule change.... Since we compete in dressage (and have actually done well barefoot) I am interested in finding out what, if any, advantages pads offer. With the two horses we owned who needed them, they were a real pain to manage! Thanks again - All of you are appreciated! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 2:04 pm: I'd be interested in what you find out concerning dressage. Previously, have you competed in dressage in open shows or breed shows? The group that is pushing for the pads are showing in breed shows only, or open also?Just as a point of interest, I was a groom for a friend who competed in a preliminary World Cup even in Las Vegas last year. We were right in there with all the "big guys" including top dressage horses of the world. Although I might not be remembering right, I don't recall seeing pads on any of them. |
Member: canter |
Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 4:10 pm: I haven't seen the pads at shows, either, but I'm not anywhere near the "big leagues". Looking through my dressage magazines, I have found no reference that wearing pads will be required nor do I see them in the pictures of the horses shown. |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 7:10 pm: Thanks Sara and Fran,Apparently, the people pushing for them have been dressage riders in the NE and NW. Specifically, they have been riding in open shows with the pads and didn't want to have to pull them for breed shows. The breed association has prohibited them in the past I believe because the horses have some of the strongest hooves in the equine industry so only a few horses medically need them. Plus, elevation and extravagant movement may equate with championships. The early leaders probably didn't want to allow any situation which might "tempt" someone to "sore" a sole. The proposed rule change does include a statement about only allowing "thin" pads. Maybe this would help in this area. However, our dressage trainer's husband works for the IES (Investigative and Enforcement Services) of the USDA. This is the agency which is called in by the USEF when abuse is suspected. It is sad to think of what is done to horses to increase their chances of a win. Anyway, if the rule change does occur, I could see it as a positive for horses with sore or thin soles who are more comfortable with pads. Just think they might be harmful to horses with no hoof problems. The implication that the dressage riders need them has us puzzled. We just don't see them commonly used in Texas. Maybe I can ask some people from Washington, Oregon, or the NE coast! Have a great day...and enjoy your equine friends! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: jerre |
Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 2:43 pm: Judy, I'm in W. Washington and have seen my share of dressage shows, and I think pads are rare. They're certainly not required.Jerre |
Member: canderso |
Posted on Monday, Feb 11, 2008 - 7:53 am: Hi Judy,Speaking from a non-breed specific dressage perspective: Are pads required at higher levels? NO!!!!!!! Are they routinely used on healthy hooves? Not that I know of, except maybe snow pads! If the horse is shown on well groomed footing, are they needed? Not that I know of. Are they cosmetic? Probably. They also have therapeutic value (as per Dr O's article) Do competitors and judges feel that horses are better groomed with pads? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck! Cheryl |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Monday, Feb 11, 2008 - 9:45 am: Thanks Jerre and Cheryl,That was our dressage trainer's reaction also. Her feeling was that most horses needing pads have a hoof problem. After reading the downside of pads in Dr. O's article, it seems like a good compromise would be allowing horse to wear pads if medically necessary. Thanks again! Your input is appreciated! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: imogen |
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2008 - 6:15 am: Just a bit of feedback from outside US. Pads would be allowed here but certainly unusual and would infer that the horse has a problem and reduce its value which may be another reason they would not tend to be over-used if allowed.In our wet climate they are a nuisance to manage even where the horse does have a problem for the reasons Dr O has outlined. All the best Imogen in Ireland |