Final Horse Inspection

[silversox]

I was interested to read (H&H today) about what goes on before the final horse inspection at three-day-events, by Pippa Roome. I've never been 'into' eventing, although my partner had a horse with Matt Ryan a few years ago. I'm more into showing, and I expect a lot of you readers would find it very dull and boring, but I just enjoy both watching and judging beautiful, near perfect, horses and ponies.

What surprised me about the article was the fact that these competitors are quite open about the fact that they have to ice their horse's legs, have the massage therapist on stand-by, and literally work on the horse to get it sound enough for the inspection. If those competing in the showing world were seen to be doing this on the show-ground, there would be an outcry! No doubt, it does go on, occasionally, and probably within the confines of the horse-box or stable, but I don't think it would be made public!

Show horses and ponies lead a very luxurious life, only spending a short time of their day working in the ring and warm-up area, on level grass or an all-weather surface with no risk of the odd rabbit hole, furrow or tree branch to contend with. They are not often expected to show signs of un-soundness and if they did, then they would be withdrawn from their class. I don't think showing competitors would risk their horse's health and their own reputation by working non-stop with skilled helpers to get their animals to 'appear' sound in the ring?

On the other hand, event horses lead a very different life, facing great risk of injury everytime they leave the start box and should not, in my view, pass the vet only after they have been worked on for hours before-hand.

I would like to hear your views on this. Perhaps I am a bit of an ignoramus about eventing and all that goes with it. Anyway, why all the hype about the Final Horse Inspection? They are either sound, or they are not. Period!!!

 

[Clodagh]

But if you were a horse would you rather
a. Stand in a hot fly ridden ring for hours, live in draw reins and wear side reins in the stable.
b. Gallop around a park jumping.

I'm not a fan of showing!!

 

[SteveGG]

The first thing to say is that they are not under any circumstances allowed to use prohibited drugs to mask any form of lameness.

At a 3 day event the horse will have had to work extremely hard on the XC day even without the roads and tracks. There will be some horses who may have picked up minor cuts &/or knocks. These are the kind that would probably disappear in a day or two without any veterinary attention. What they are trying to do is to help speed up this process.

At the end of the day it is up to the ground Jury to decide at the final inspection if the horse is sound. If the horse has taken a more major knock or sprain then they will not pass.

The hype is that they have to pass the final inspection to go SJ and therefore complete & possibly get placed. Some riders may be under pressure to get results from sponsors etc.

As with everything there will be those that try to push the limits and that's why the rules are there. There was a debate a year or so ago about allowing bute on the final day (it was allowed years ago) but this was rejected as it mask lameness and that could result in further damage if the horse was jumped.

 

[dingle12]

we always leave our horses at three days yes we cold hose there legs once but that is it, they have worked hard for us all day and all they want to do is eat and rest we then get them out on a morning and go for a hack, ive known horses be on drips all through the night with all the magnetic rugs on booted up to the eye balls then still presented the next morning.Normally at big events your not allowed into the stable area after 11pm only if you get special permission.

 

[lorenababbit]

many people at events ice the legs as standard practise regardless of how the horse has finished. both steve gg and dingle make valid points though. personaly i try to do as little as possible to mine after xc what they really need is R&R!! Any good three day groom will tell you there are some horses you know that even if you stood them in the artic they wouldnt trot tht next morning and others that you know just as well you can wash brush and put to bed with no further bother aside from a couple picks of grass! Pippa roome spent alot of time at team fredericks (so have i) and they pretty much ice the legs as standard. they do fairly well though!!!
Another significant point though is the effect of adrenalin. That is why often a horse that appears initially lame sunday morning makes a miraculous recovery having been ridden or lunged a little to get their blood up a bit. We al know horses and people who only have to break a fingernail to be dying until something comes along to distract them!
Even at the lower levels the horses are generally valued. there are plenty of people on thisforum who will be as chuffed with a one star completion as Pippa funnell is winning badminton and no-one is trying to make a horse in pain work. That might make a small thing into a big career threartening thing. Omn the other hand, the costs are high, qualifying is difficult and no one wants to waste a chance for want of a couple hours in ice.

 

[Skhosu]

I would rather have an event horse, who is generally looked after exceptionally to manage legs etc. (I cool bandage my lad after eventing) than the fat show ponies. And I don't know anyone who would take a lame horse eventing, but we're only at low level affiliated.

 

[lorenababbit]

i dont think anyone was talking about taking a lame horse anywhere, the question refered to the final vet inspection when various bangs and bumps have to be attended to. at any FEI contest the horses must be presented to the vet at some point whatever the discipline. You certainly wouldnt tke an eventer that ewas lame to start.... its hardly like ly to be beter after it has galloped miles and jumped 30 solid fences is it!!