>> Apparently the issue of boots and how they are being used is a discussion >> happening everywhere:
Good link, Ash. Here's the relative quote: >>>other techniques are also used to induce hyper-flexion of the equine limbs so as to 'teach' the horse to become 'ultra-careful' and avoid hitting/knocking fences. Rapping, once used almost routinely, has now been outlawed but the application of weighted boots attached to the lower and distal equine limb is another mechanism often used to alter equine JSK. There is growing evidence to suggest that some riders use special (heavier) boots on the horses when training and immediately prior to competition (warm up) as an innovative training aid. The application of excessively tightened tendon/brushing boots may be little more that an adaptation of this technique. In some cases, tendon/brushing boots are 'over-tightened' (particularly hind limbs following warm up) in an attempt to sensitise the horse's legs and induce exaggerated degrees of hyper-flexion immediately prior to and during competition. It is unclear at what point this strategy crosses the line from being an acceptable and innovative training aid to becoming a welfare concern within equitation. The effects of over-tightened tendon/brushing boots within showjumping merit immediate scientific investigation on equine welfare grounds.<<<< This part: "There is growing evidence to suggest that some riders use special (heavier) boots on the horses when training and immediately prior to competition (warm up) as an innovative training aid." Absolutely Icelandic owners and trainers are using the boots as "training aids" and gait manipulation. Do they understand the mechanics? I don't know. Do they *purposely* try to hide it under "protection"? I don't know. If not, then they don't understand the mechanics; if so, then they are deceitful. The gait or the form induced by mechanical aids are not inherited, so the horse should be stripped down to nothing in a breeding evaluation. >>> Riders get penalties for all sorts of things. Instead of going at the >>> issue of weighted boots(which we will never be able to control the use >>> of in training,etc) a penalty or "fault" for a horse that overextends >>> past the normal healthy movement of the joint. If a "fault" was found >>> for that, riders would be very careful just how much extra action they >>> demanded from their horses. I don't know if this is something do-able >>> though. Can judges tell if a horse is going past the natural swing and >>> into abnormal territory?<<<< That sounds like an interesting suggestion! Good thinking. I think the judges could / would be able to tell if they studied the biomechanics and developed an eye for it. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
