tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post102352750894467034..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Special entry for obsessive-compulsives: Riley's footfallsStacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-83007257248261047892009-05-11T07:14:00.000-04:002009-05-11T07:14:00.000-04:00Since I'm in the obsessive/compuslive set, I've be...Since I'm in the obsessive/compuslive set, I've been pondering this lately and analyzing Youtube videos of how Olympic dressage horses' feet touch the ground. What I found was interesting - during extended trot, they all landed heel first, and during piaffe, they landed toe first. This makes sense especially because a horse going up a hill will always land toe first, and extreme collection sort lythahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719586193059362084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-24078982825432110752009-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:00By the way, I find it incredibly sweet how Bob dut...By the way, I find it incredibly sweet how Bob dutifully supports you and the other "men" in your life. Reminds me of my own husband, following me around at horse shows, camera and wet wipes in hand, on his birthday. I'm sure he and Bob could commiserate.A Bay Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16519878838113259362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-74439894049302277472009-05-05T09:57:00.000-04:002009-05-05T09:57:00.000-04:00I'm totally unqualified to analyze Riley. But I be...I'm totally unqualified to analyze Riley. But I believe that most horses are less than perfect. I've known multiple horses who have been happy and serviceable for life on less than perfect conformation and movement; including an FEI horse (now retired) with all kinds of defects. <br /><br />So I don't know about Riley but I say "So what if he isn't perfect?" I think if you are aware and A Bay Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16519878838113259362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-32661905597644246232009-05-04T18:32:00.000-04:002009-05-04T18:32:00.000-04:00I ride hunters, and I think Riley is a nice mover....I ride hunters, and I think Riley is a nice mover. We like the pointed toe movement. I wouldn't let one reader get you down, if you have any questions leave it to the professions, just ask your farrier to help assess Riley's movement. If he does land toe first there is quite a bit the farrier can do to trim the hoof and help the situation. I think it is near impossible to tell in regular footing.Five O'Clock Somewherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00764856841984160593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-35667623906742320612009-05-04T17:32:00.000-04:002009-05-04T17:32:00.000-04:00Stacy,
I think this more of a gait related footfa...Stacy, <br />I think this more of a gait related footfall than an issue with soundness or not. I did a search for an early 1900's photographer by the name of Eadweard Muybridge,(BTW I was careful to get the spelling correct). He is the man that did the amazing still photos of "Animal Locomotion" that are recognized world wide. Do a Google search of his name and the photos will show up as well.<brSandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523913268753891470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-87149231598118006872009-05-04T15:42:00.000-04:002009-05-04T15:42:00.000-04:00When I got my OTTB he was absolute hell to ride be...When I got my OTTB he was absolute hell to ride because of his choppy, landing toe first trot. His confirmation is very nice, so I was puzzled why he was bound up in his shoulders and stabbed the ground with his feet. I quit hot shoeing him and started using a farrier who does a barefoot (or "natural") trim with the mustang roll/bevel edge on his toe. IT HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE DIFFERENCE! We are epona womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247674694154198046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-28590039041204051452009-05-04T15:15:00.000-04:002009-05-04T15:15:00.000-04:00I know most of us horse lovers use it, so thought ...I know most of us horse lovers use it, so thought I'd let you all know that I found some pretty great <A HREF="http://www.absorbine.com/offers.html" REL="nofollow">coupons</A> on Absorbine products. I can't wait to try out UltraShield; the stuff is supposed to work wonders!thestableskeeperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12801837723696135704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-28256603777989129532009-05-04T11:08:00.000-04:002009-05-04T11:08:00.000-04:00First of all, Riley is a beautiful horse. Very typ...First of all, Riley is a beautiful horse. Very typey.. I come from from both a dressage and a hunter/jumper world. And, I tell you what.. if you were going to sell him just by the way he moves and with the intention of finding him his perfect "niche" in the world. Hunter/Jumper would be the way. He has beautiful gait for the hunter ring. He may not jump nicely though, but you can't tell that Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064754360254096215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-10763286251204532442009-05-04T10:59:00.000-04:002009-05-04T10:59:00.000-04:00Riley (and his mom) are GORGEOUS.
First, let me...Riley (and his mom) are GORGEOUS. <br /><br />First, let me offer my condolences on an anonymous critical post...oh sure Anon...you did it with the best intentions, right? Uh-huh. That's why you provided BTB with contact info or resources to help her out.<br /><br />Second,I agree with Mrs. Mom (and others) since he's still growing, and still learning, toss the worry if possible. To me, he Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089284324334830637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-47691199312929946422009-05-04T08:46:00.000-04:002009-05-04T08:46:00.000-04:00Stacey- I took a few moments this morning to watch...Stacey- I took a few moments this morning to watch the video you provided, and from what I see: Pay that ANON poster NO mind whatsoever. Riley LOOKS like a young horse, who is growing- which accounts for any "stride deviation" you see in him IMO. And he IS INDEED landing heel first, and quite well. <br /><br />Settle down a bit, and stop over-analysing things. He is moving as a two year old Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-30549597029441073942009-05-04T06:36:00.000-04:002009-05-04T06:36:00.000-04:00Helen, you're killin me! :-) Right now I just see ...Helen, you're killin me! :-) Right now I just see tendencies not lameness. But you're right, the key is to relax and let him become a big boy.<br /><br />Mrs. Mom I'll hound you mercilessly starting a day or so from now -- just kidding, thanks for the offer!<br /><br />Liquidambar, that's the trim we're aiming for after a recent change of farriers.<br /><br />Good point Deanna, someone just Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-74715821414743752152009-05-04T02:56:00.000-04:002009-05-04T02:56:00.000-04:00I really know very little of your horse (I just wa...I really know very little of your horse (I just wandered by a few months ago and then hung out) but he actually DOES look unsound. . from this video at least. I am a freak about gaits though. I can see a lame horse days before most people. <br /><br />His trot seems to be somewhat pained and short. . I would expect a longer stride from him, based solely on conformation. It is sort of hard to sayHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04210327520793064458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-5791609844580604172009-05-04T02:31:00.000-04:002009-05-04T02:31:00.000-04:00I will admit I am not 100% knowledgeable in this s...I will admit I am not 100% knowledgeable in this subject, so I went on line an took a look at a lot of trotting pictures. And I could see the same thing that Riley shows, I think it has a lot to do with the moment the picture is taken. The only horses that showed a true heel first moment were the ones that were driving from the rear, with impulsion. Give your baby time he will get there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-76283203757720669312009-05-03T21:51:00.000-04:002009-05-03T21:51:00.000-04:00This may help with the comments or people that ten...This may help with the comments or people that tend to bug you. <br /><br />"Never spend more time on a critic than you would on a friend." <br /><br />Once I heard that statement, I always revert back to it when something bothers me and then I forget about it and focus on the person who really matters, me. Just kidding, I focus on my family & friends.Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11248012197291099658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-75070744883398746682009-05-03T19:50:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:50:00.000-04:00Stacey- I'll dig up the link for you (but you may ...Stacey- I'll dig up the link for you (but you may have to email me and REMIND ME cause I have CRS ;) But I should have some shots of Sonny (my gelding) landing toe first in his near side fore last fall. I have thoughts on this too, but am out of time right now (two wild little mens ready for BED!!) Email me at swequine@yahoo.com, if you want, and I'll see what we can dig up to help you and Riley Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-15266637017644534282009-05-03T19:43:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:43:00.000-04:00The problem with having a young horse that one is ...The problem with having a young horse that one is not yet riding is that one spends waaay too much time looking at them, on the lunge, in the field, wherever, trying to see signs of the future, good or bad. Once you start riding your lovely boy (with perfectly normal looking footfalls), all this will fade away <br />(and you can obsess on training issues;).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-22911363651545034792009-05-03T19:41:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:41:00.000-04:00Dragonhawk -- It's funny you should say high schoo...Dragonhawk -- It's funny you should say high school. I've often felt that the dynamics in show barns is a lot LIKE high school, which would be understandable if the boarders were teens. But that's not always so :-)<br /><br />Jesse -- no, she was always a broodmare imported in utero from Germany. Her gaits are lovely, though, and fluid. She has a lot of angle in her pastern, while Riley is Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-86843478838870076832009-05-03T19:39:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:39:00.000-04:00I'm not any expert, but in the barefoot video sent...I'm not any expert, but in the barefoot video sent along by Jesse, it seems to me that the horse's hooves are trimmed way wrong . . . they need a much shorter toe and more depth in the heel. Those long toes are practically forcing the horse to hyperextend the back of his fetlocks. Just saying. My own horse is barefoot, and his farrier keeps the fronts of his hooves much shorter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-78041428726197857902009-05-03T19:22:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:22:00.000-04:00What is it about horse people that they revert bac...What is it about horse people that they revert back to high school, or even middle school? I swear to God, I never met a bigger group of childish, snotty, trash talking, jealous, back biting idiots in my life! Half the time, it's more about the ego then any love for the horse. How many horses have had their lives shortened because someone cared more about a ribbon then the well being of a livingDragonhawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461485654887106960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-8679986275797698352009-05-03T19:09:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:09:00.000-04:00Oh, goodness, what a bit of crazy commenting, ther...Oh, goodness, what a bit of crazy commenting, there. Honestly, this is the kind of issue that's pretty tough to detect from video footage, especially as the camera is not on a plane with the ground so it's easy to exaggerate how much the relaxed gate looks like one tending towards lameness.<br /><br />Secondly, if Riley is landing toe first and there isn't anything wrong with the joints, it's Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093558563358431804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-42453207618880871532009-05-03T19:08:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:08:00.000-04:00BTW, was Riley's mom ridden competitively or was s...BTW, was Riley's mom ridden competitively or was she just a broodmare all her life? If she was shown extensively and her feet held up, I wouldn't worry about it too much.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203611762503036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-90114104275142183342009-05-03T19:07:00.000-04:002009-05-03T19:07:00.000-04:00I don't have any video of my horse trotting in slo...I don't have any video of my horse trotting in slowmo, but I found these on youtube.<br /><br /><A>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoSNHB4AXos&feature=related</A>Up until he extends his foot all the way it looks like he's going to land on his toe. But then he lands on his heel.<br /><br />Here's one of a horse landing on his toe.<br /><br /><A>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIU8Y90KYOo&Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203611762503036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-56908103248943146172009-05-03T18:01:00.000-04:002009-05-03T18:01:00.000-04:00Oh, gosh, don't get me started. My farrier said my...Oh, gosh, don't get me started. My farrier said my Tucker may land toe first. I can't tell. Never could. He might, he might not. I am just not going to worry about it. If he does, there's nothing to do about it beyond the trim and shoeing he has now. <br /><br />So?? It's like a set of x-rays that show a horse "may" have some hock issues in the future, or has the signs he "might" get navicular, Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.com