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Hi Folks:
My mare, imported from Canada, and her foal, now 22 months old, both
have incredible feet. They are big, round, strong and self-levelling. My
farrier swears he would have to find another source of income if all he had
to work on were fjord hooves. I really thought such feet were a breed
standard. Shows what I know.
Anyway, IMHO, poor feet come from genetics most of the time with diet
being a rare and extreme situation. I seriously doubt that rural Norwegians
had the money to fuss over supplements. The best horses survived and the
others didn't. Yes, it's back to that old saw about promoting and breeding
the best to the best. (Hello, Carol?)
BTW, I feel that way about all breeds. It's sad to see a well muscled
QH with Barbie-doll feet or a draft horse with hoof walls all splayed out.
As for foaling and The Wait, my imported mare, Riata, was "due" in
March. She foaled in May. I was beside myself wondering if she was okay (I
was repeatedly assured that she was fine). After carefully reading her
breeding papers (stallion report??), I realized she had been turned out and
"exposed" to the stallion for about three months. I then realized that she
was a flirt and took her sweet time about breeding. Either that or the
stallion was busy being distracted by the other gals in his harem.
Anyway, I may never know her true gestation but her delivery was
uncomplicated (the whole family was present!) and the foal was perfect and
strong.
Pamela Garofalo
