Re: Endurance Prospect(s) "Conformation/Paddling & Medical Considerations"

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

To all:

Concerning "low heels" Is the case we are considering low heels with
corresponding short toes or are we considering the "low heel/long toe
syndrome"?

Low heels in themselves do not constitute a problem. Coupled with long toes
and you have a very serious problem.

As an example, all of our horses have very low heels. The bulbs are touching
the ground (as they naturally should). Our toes run 3 to 3.75 inches  long,
toe length and heel length match.  If we had our normal heel and 4 to 4.75
inch toes we would have serious troubles.

You cannot judge one or the other by themselves.
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
-----Original Message-----
From: Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>
To: Abair, Ruth <RAbair@texas.dcrt.dla.mil>
Cc: 'RideCamp' <Ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Friday, January 08, 1999 8:52 AM
Subject: Re: Endurance Prospect(s) "Conformation/Paddling & Medical
Considerations"


>Dear Ruth,
>I think it would be wise not to overlook the importance of a "farrier"
check as
>well... he can answer your questions about low heels, paddling, etc and if
he
>is your farrier and will be the one who will be working on his feet, that
could
>be a very important factor in your decision.  My gelding has low heels and
low
>angles (though they are improving) and I use him in endurance without any
>problems.  We do keep shoes on him to protect what foot he does have...he
tends
>to break them if left barefoot too long.  One of those necessary evils.
But he
>has done well this past year, never come up lame and his heel and angles
are
>improving.  It is an ongoing process and doesn't happen overnight.  Good
luck!
>Maggie
>
>"Abair, Ruth" wrote:
>
>> Dear Ridecampers,
>>
>> I have been earnestly looking for a youngster - endurance prospect - for
>> some time now. I have passed up "several" colts, geldings and
fillies/mares
>> due to conformation and/or medical problems. My decisions were based upon
a
>> combination of consultations with my vet, the somewhat limited knowledge
I
>> have, and just good old "gut" feelings.
>>
>> I just recently found a young gelding - name's Baskin, he's 3 coming 4 -
>> that I believe will "fill the bill" and eventually replace my
steed/Classy.
>> However; recent posts about "paddling" now has me in a quandry. What is
>> "paddling?" Baskin's feet are very nice and round but he is low heeled in
>> the front. It doesn't appear to interfere with his movement - travels
>> straight/true - and doesn't appear to put too much of a slant on his
>> pasterns, but we haven't gotten past the vet check yet. We're still
>> negotiating price.
>>
>> I have never had a horse with low heels but have known and ridden with
>> several people over the years that had horses with low heels. However,
>> they/the horses were not used for endurance. Is this a potential problem,
>> and again, what is paddling?
>>
>> I would appreciate your advice and counsel.
>>
>> Ruth Abair and Classy in NE Texas
>>
>>   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>>
>>    Part 1.2    Type: application/ms-tnef
>>            Encoding: base64
>
>