Interesting! Wonder if this will have any impact on Arabians?

Yes, it could get interesting. Best to keep an eye on what defines a 'package'

Performance packages (also called stacks or pads), made of plastic, leather, wood, rubber and combinations of these materials, are attached below the sole of the horse’s natural hoof and have a metal band that runs around the hoof wall to maintain them in place. Performance packages add weight to the horse’s foot, causing it to strike with more force and at an abnormal angle to the ground. They also facilitate the concealment of items that apply pressure to the sole of the horse’s hoof. Pressure from these hidden items produces pain in the hoof so that the horse lifts its feet faster and higher in an exaggerated gait.

Can't come too soon, I think.

Yesterday wouldn't be too soon... but don't you know *some people* will say 'but we're not TWHs, so none of this applies to us'.

Fabulous! Right in line with any plans of mine for my horses. A coworker of mine breeds TWH, so we watch video now and again. Really disheartening.

i hope this means something. no first world country should still be allowing such practices. if this was being done to dogs I wonder what the outcry would be?

Quoted from article: The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States, disallows action devices in the show ring for all recognized national breed affiliates.

I didn't realize this. Saw plenty "packages" strapped onto horses in the English division at an AHA show.

I don't think the shoes are considered action devices, just the chains, bungees and that sort of thing. But if they start looking at how other breeds are shod, not just TWH that could change.

http://www.aaep.org/...es_position.htm

I was especially interested to read the paragraph about the shoe packages.

Hear, hear! to their statement. I particularly appreciate their position that this ban is necessary given that 40 years have passed since the passage of the Horse Protection Act with the TWH industry being unable to make substantial progress in eliminating these abusive practices. Clearly the industry is incapable of handling this issue on it's own. I am glad the AAEP and AVMA are willing to take such a strong stance regarding this abuse. And I do hope it filters into the Arabian industry.

Hear, hear! to their statement. I particularly appreciate their position that this ban is necessary given that 40 years have passed since the passage of the Horse Protection Act with the TWH industry being unable to make substantial progress in eliminating these abusive practices. Clearly the industry is incapable of handling this issue on it's own. I am glad the AAEP and AVMA are willing to take such a strong stance regarding this abuse. And I do hope it filters into the Arabian industry.

Isn't it a sad state of affairs that its even ALLOWED on our Arabian horses.

For those that do not remember back in the 80's we were not even allowed a pad for therapeutic reasons. The Arabian Hunter/Jumper I showed (yes folks the Hunters back then actually went over fences) needed pads for a slight case of ringbone.
However no pads. So, we had to always pull his pads a few days before the show and put them on a few days after. He spent the majority of his career having that done. We also had a reasonable weight limit on shoes.

Then the powers that be (in those days that would have been LaCroixs and the biggies of the day) convinced IAHA that we had such huge Half Arabians that the shoes needed to be heavier -no matter what size the horse and we needed longer toes, and then came the pads and now we have the metal strapping.

I wonder what this strange affliction is of wanting to imitate Saddlebreds. Our breed was one that glided across the desert for miles and miles......not some strange Foot flinging up front and rear ends paddling about............ahh I digress.

I can not imagine an owner that would have their horses foot so out of balance so they can win a ribbon.
I just said to my farrier the day before yesterday, my horses start tripping when their feet get too long, and the Arabians I see in the English division start out there......... I would NEVER be ok with a shoe that needed to be strapped onto my horses foot UNLESS there was an honest to god medical reason to do it.

That's just me.

I don't think the shoes are considered action devices, just the chains, bungees and that sort of thing. But if they start looking at how other breeds are shod, not just TWH that could change.

Yes, I agree about simple shoes, but the way it's worded, the "packages" described in the article can be attached with the metal band. I saw plenty of heavy metal strapped on some horses' feet.

Yes, I agree about simple shoes, but the way it's worded, the "packages" described in the article can be attached with the metal band. I saw plenty of heavy metal strapped on some horses' feet.

I agree with you but I'm thinking that the way the rules are worded that the packages don't fall under the 'action devices' thus are still legal. That's my understanding anyhow. I don't do saddleseat in any fashion so am not positive but it's what I believe is the interpretation.

I agree with you but I'm thinking that the way the rules are worded that the packages don't fall under the 'action devices' thus are still legal. That's my understanding anyhow. I don't do saddleseat in any fashion so am not positive but it's what I believe is the interpretation.

You're correct. Action devices would be rollers, chains, bungees, etc. It wouldn't relate to the actual shoeing packages we see. The shoes with the metal bands are 100% legal as it stands now.

I agree with you but I'm thinking that the way the rules are worded that the packages don't fall under the 'action devices' thus are still legal. That's my understanding anyhow. I don't do saddleseat in any fashion so am not positive but it's what I believe is the interpretation.

I think we can all agree that the shoeing common on todays English Pleasure horses affect - read enhance - action. So I would think that the kinds of shoeing package we see in the show ring would fit this rule.

You're correct. Action devices would be rollers, chains, bungees, etc. It wouldn't relate to the actual shoeing packages we see. The shoes with the metal bands are 100% legal as it stands now.

Again, action is greatly enhanced by the shoeing in today's showring.

Yup, but the loophole they're working is that the shoes are not under the 'action devices' and as long as they meet current criteria the "Big Lick" packages we are using are completely legal. With these vet associations coming out against this type of shoeing, I'm wondering if it will make folks rethink our current practices or if they'll just do the usual; shrug "They aren't talking about OUR horses." and move on.

Any kind of "shoe" that prevents a horse from being able to be turned out, or needs a huge metal band to hold them ON is beyond me

Can't come too soon, I think.

If we want to attract new riders to Arabians and get folks back to the show ring, getting rid of expensive, injury-inducing "packages" is an absolute necessity.

Yup, but the loophole they're working is that the shoes are not under the 'action devices' and as long as they meet current criteria the "Big Lick" packages we are using are completely legal. With these vet associations coming out against this type of shoeing, I'm wondering if it will make folks rethink our current practices or if they'll just do the usual; shrug "They aren't talking about OUR horses." and move on.

Well, what's the definition of "action devices?" I would assume it's anything that enhances the horse's movement. Of course, that's just the common sense approach and I'd say common sense is in very short supply in this breed.

I wonder how this is going to affect all breeds.

This is the current trend with Morgans. This is fast becoming what all of the western horses look like in the show ring. Arabians are doing it too, I just don't have a pic to show. I would LOVE for this to STOP! Not only is it wrong for the horse, but it will make our shows even smaller.

Take off the shoes / pad ridiculous combo - but at least his head is up, not behind the vertical and he's looking through the bridle, animated and has the appearance of being collected (and not half dead)

Take off the shoes / pad ridiculous combo - but at least his head is up, not behind the vertical and he's looking through the bridle, animated and has the appearance of being collected (and not half dead)

Morgan's have always shown with a higher set frame & some contact, that's how they are built. But the shoes are getting ridiculous. The Hunters are even worse.

I am not a fan of the shoe packages, particularly the metal bands, if you have to hold it on to keep it on, you probably have too much strapped onto the foot. I think limiting the size and/or number of pads would go a long way.

Morgan's have always shown with a higher set frame & some contact, that's how they are built. But the shoes are getting ridiculous. The Hunters are even worse.

I realize that - but the differential between what the Morgan's "look" like and what the Arab WP horses look like has grown to the extreme over the years.

And I had an Anglo-Arab and showed hunter about when they first started including it in Arab Class A shows - and I find it incredible the action that is "required" to show in that class today. I grew up riding with the Master of the Foxhounds, jumping, etc - "hunter" is a stretch with those clown shoes...

What happens to a front hoof when a rear hoof inadvertently steps on the shoe/pads extending beyond the front hoof? Or does that not happen? Seems a possibility at least - and one that would completely destroy the front hoof if it happened. Why would anyone want the risk? Or is that why these horses are confined all the time? To prevent that from happening? Does it never happen under saddle though?

It does happen - and it's far worse when a band is involved. I knew an ASB mare who did that - and tore off all of the hoof wall as well as underlying tissue from the top of the band down. She was permanently lamed.

I think there needs to be a "dislike" button for practices such as this.