Ridecamp: Re: [RC] A little more Help on Windpuffs

It sounds like this mare has many issues. She may, someday, make a decent
endurance horse if you have time  and skill to put the work and training
into her.  From what you are describing, I think many people spend 1-3 years
getting the horse ready, physically and mentally, to compete.  She will need
most of that time to build a LSD base, so it isn't time wasted, as long as
you are making progress.   You need to assess the situation, do you have the
skills needed to re-train this mare, or will have you have pay a trainer?
Are you willing to invest the time in her, or would you rather have one you
could start riding right away.  I think these are two of the key questions
that you need to answer to yourself in regards to her.

I haven't worked with many ex-race horses, but it is my understanding that
they have been exposed to much hustle and bustle on the track and during
traveling, so while I understand her being skittish about the cows, I wonder
about some of the other actions you are describing, including the terrible
ground manners... aren't racehorses handled daily by a variety of people?

regarding the windpuffs...  hopefully Dr Smith or Dr Newell or someone more
knowledgeable will correct where I am wrong, but I understand windpuffs
indicate past damage or overwork.  They don't themselves make a horse lame
or sore, but indicate the horse has been overworked in the past.  So you
know the mare has been overworked.  To what degree, you don't know. -what
you also don't know is details about any past damage.  Did you have a vet
exam done on her?  that would be a good opportunity to have your vet exam
the windpuffs and talk to you about what they could mean in regards to her
potential as an endurance horse.  Personally, I consider 6yo to be young,
and would be shy of one with windpuffs, I'd have to really like it in many
other ways. It isn't the windpuffs themselves that are a concern, but since
she is still stocking up, (without work?) I'd want to know what they are
telling you about her legs.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
www.TheOriginalSeries.com
www.BlueArabianHorseCatalog.org

"Good and Ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing
among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. "
-Aragorn, son of Arathorn


----- Original Message -----
From: kit kat <patchworkfarmshorsestuff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 10:39 AM
Subject: [RC] A little more Help on Windpuffs


> Hi Y'all,
>
> John gave me some postings on windpuffs, and they answered some of my
> questions.  This mare I Got has them bad though... from stress on her legs
> at track.. or?  I have no idea.  Her back feet need alot of work.  I have
> the farrier coming out right away to do her feet to see if that helps.
She
> has windpuffs on both back and nearside front leg. When I went and saw her
> she had them and she was just standing in the leantoo. Yesterday, after
> being in the field, they went down.  Now I know in eventing, they have no
> rules against riding a horse with windpuffs.  I am just worried, that
after
> trailing to an endurance ride, she will have puffed up again and the vets
> wont let me ride.  Can you ride with windpuffs?  Its not a lameness
> issue.... but I know already from experience that some vets are bit
> picky(with complete understanding.)  And if it is an issue... then already
> at 6yrs of age, she gets them nighty/dayly, I would not take her if I
could
> not compete...  Thanks for any help you can give me:)
> Sarah:)
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
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