64 EQUUS 498 autumn 2019
bottom line: Good technical shoeing
can help protect the joints of a reining
or cutting horse. In reining horses,
Dunning explains that performance
shoeing will allow both the front and
back feet to move properly without
interference or adverse traction in a
deep slide. If a cutting horse is shod,
he says, balanced feet, backed-up front
toes and tight shoes with no overhang
should enable quick movement with
less chance of injury.
In addition, he uses front and hind
boots on reining and cutting horses
but stresses that they must be applied
properly, conform well to the leg and
guard against concussion issues.
“Depending on the exact activity, we
[also] use splint boots, skid boots, bell
boots and knee boots,” he adds.
DOING ENOUGH
WITHOUT OVERDOING
The show hunters, jumpers and
equitation horses that are Scott
Lico’s stock in trade have one thing
in common---jumping. Visualize the
hind legs acting as springs with every
gravity-defying leap. While a well-
executed jump looks effortless, it
also can take a toll on joints.
A United States Hunter Jumper
Association certifi ed trainer, Lico---
who works out of Lake View Terrace,
California---has studied under many
of the sport’s masters and specializes
in high-performance show jumpers.
The stress of jumping most affects
the coffi n joint, fetlock, hock and
stifl e, he says. “In my experience,
navicular disease is also a common
cause of lameness in the jumping
horse,” Lico notes.
He repeats a familiar refrain among
hunter/jumper veterans: “A horse has
only so many jumps in its lifetime, and
we must take care to not over-jump and
to preserve the horse’s soundness.
“Proper management is extremely
important when it comes to the
show jumper,” Lico continues. “My
horses actually do not jump very often
or very big at home. In fact, they spend
more time working hard on their
fl atwork and only jump twice per week.
At the shows, which [are] a special
occasion, we will jump three times per
week.” He also keeps longeing and
tight turns or circles to a minimum
while under saddle.
Lico is a big believer in jointsupplements containing gluco-
samine to aid in cartilage repair.
However, his overall strategies,
whether the horse is a hunter, a
jumper or an equitation mount,
vary depending on the individual,
his age and his workload. Once a
horse is around 7 years old and
starting to jump bigger fences, Lico
says, they may start receiving
intramuscular injections of
polysulfated glycosaminoglycans
(PSGAGs), systemic therapy designed
to manage arthritis or joint pain.
Intra-articular injections are
another matter, however. “Joint
injections [are] something that can
greatly help to decrease infl ammation
and improve the joint environment,
but [they are] something that
I’m not very quick to do,” Lico
says, referring to the injection of
corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA)
or PSGAGs directly into the joint. “I
save this treatment for the horse that
is usually 12 years old or older and
could use the added assistance when
recommended by my veterinarian.”
As for equipment, Lico uses
protective boots and bandages when
riding, longeing, turning out and“My horses actually do
not jump very often or very
big at home. In fact, they
spend more time working
hard on their flatwork and
only jump twice per week.”
--- Scott Lico, United States
Hunter Jumper Association
certified trainer
CAPT
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PHOTOG
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