Thoroughbreds can't go barefoot they have genetically bad feet ;-)

Early May 2011

Mid August 2011

Except time and again TB's are proving this common misconception just isn't true. 

This TB had 'typical TB hooves'. Just check out the bull nose in the May photo. By mid August same year the bull nose is halfway grown out. At this stage because the owner was otherwise occupied the horse was a pasture ornament, all that was changed was the diet (shoes had been removed shortly before May photo). If the horse had been exercising I'm pretty sure the bull nose would have grown out faster. The horse is now a competent barefooter, declared very sound by vets and turns his hoof to dressage, jumping and eventing.  Oh he hacks out on roads too...........

Madam goes jumpies

Well what an exciting weekend. Madam took her Mum jumpies on Saturday. Nothing dramatic, just a couple of clear round jumping turns over a baby course. But it was a first for both of them so imagine how pleased they were to come home with their first rosette.

We celebrated with a bit of canter interval training on the South Downs afterwards.

Sunday was equally dramatic when Madam decided to do a stunning jump off a bank and over a ditch. Sally decided she preferred to view the proceedings from the ditch..... But after a cup of tea both were declared ok - although Sally now has a stunning bruise about the same size as her rosette.