IDHSNA inspection

About two weeks ago, Fabian and I attended the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America's (IDHSNA) SouthWest Inspection at White Dog Farm in Boulder, Colorado.

Four purebred Irish Draught stallions were presented for inspection. There were Farraway Quicksilver,

Manu Fortis Blue Clover,

Bell Tower Bannions Hero and...

Dowdstown Moy.

Additionally, there was one Irish Sport Horse stallion (3/4 Irish Draught, 1/4 Thoroughbred), Cloverstone Celtic Gem...

and two mares, one Irish Draught...

and one Irish Sport Horse.

The inspection started with a rigorous health check by a team of veterinarians. Stallion owners were required to submit a full set of radiographs proving their horse's legs were joints were healthy and free of disease.

The height,

girth...

and leg circumference of each stallion was measured and recorded.

Teeth were checked,

legs were felt...

and each horse was given a basic soundness exam.

Once the vets were done, the horses went to the breed inspectors. They were stood up to have their conformation assessed.

Then they were walked and trotted.

After that, everyone moved to the indoor ring.

The horses were turned loose for further evaluation of gaits and jumping ability.

The arena was quite dark, so I didn't take many pictures of this part of the process. However, I did take a few short videos. This is Bell Tower Bannions Hero showing off his gaits...

and Manu Fortis Blue Clover making easy work of the jumps.

This was a really fun and informative day. 

I learned so much about Irish Draughts.

Now I love them almost as much as Fabian.

Almost.

Thank you for inviting me to the IDHSNA Inspection, Fabian. I had a wonderful time!