Downeast Medal Finals

April 2018

Downeast Medal Finals September 14-16th, 2018 This will be the 10th annual Downeast Medal Finals! Visit our website for more information about Downeast. We welcome all questions, suggestions, and sponsorship: please email Ginger at galbert@maine.rr.com .  *Reminder: Please contact Ginger if you know of riders who would like to participate in the alumni class (anyone who has previously won a Downeast Medal Final)!

DMF is excited to announce we will have 2 judges for the Derbies and all of the Medal classes!

New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center Downeast Medal Finals would like to thank New England Equine for their generous sponsorship! The New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center is a private veterinary referral hospital and practice located in Dover, NH. The extraordinary talent, compassion and dedication of their doctors and staff bring the highest quality diagnostic and therapeutic care of horses to the New England region and beyond. Their specialized experience in surgery, internal medicine, lameness and sports medicine, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, physical therapy and a variety of other areas of expertise provides our clients with not only the most comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, but also the most efficacious treatment options available. In addition to being available 24 hours/7 days a week at the hospital in Dover NH, they are also providing farm call services to NH, southern ME, and northeastern MA. Cases are seen in hospital and now are also being seen in the field. When you call New England Equine, you get the time, attention and experience of eight equine veterinarians and a great support staff as well! Visit  www.newenglandequine.com  for more information.  Did you know...? By Erica Koch, DVM Wentworth Equine Veterinary Services Did you know it takes about one year for an adult horse to grow a new hoof? The hoof wall grows at about a rate of 6 to 10 millimeters per month. Cells grow from the coronary band distal toward the ground surface. The rate is slightly different at the quarter and heel regions as these are shorter in length and have different forces placed upon them. If the coronary band around a hoof is damaged or scarred, the corresponding hoof below that area may not be normal in growth due to the cells that produce the hoof at the coronary band being damaged. The outside wall layer of the hoof is composed of keratin, which is the same component of the human fingernail and gives both the hoof and nail strength.   There are factors that affect the growth rate as well. Hooves of younger horses typically grow faster. In dry and or cold environments hooves typically grow slower. Wet environments allow for faster growth. Some breeds are known for better quality hooves, Arabians and ponies often have good sturdy feet, whereas thoroughbreds are often thin soled and have low heels. Illness can often slow the hoof growth and sometimes manifest as visible rings in the hoof wall. Proper nutrition can in turn help increase growth as well. Biotin is a B Vitamin, which is produced in the hindgut of the horse by the resident microbe population. This nutrient is known to have an effect on hoof growth. Researchers have been unable to determine a dose for the horse. Exercise is also a confounding factor on hoof growth. The hoof is a dynamic structure that responds to the concussive forces placed upon it. Upcoming Shows with Downeast Qualifying Classes Apr. 15 Evenstride ,  Byfield, MA Apr. 22 Lucky Clover ,  Sanford, ME Apr. 22 Oyster River ,  Warren, ME Apr. 29 NSHA ,  Evenstride, Byfield, MA May 5 Senator Bell ,  Chester, NH May 13 NSHA ,  Evenstride, Byfield, MA May 20 Lucky Clover ,  Sanford, ME May 20 Seahorse Stables ,  Belfast, ME Thank you so much to our incredible sponsors who help make this show possible. Become a Downeast Medal Finals Sponsor: All levels accepted and appreciated!  Visit  our website  for more information. For more information, to list your show with Downeast qualifying classes, to be featured as a Downeast spotlight rider, or to become a sponsor, please email Ginger at  galbert@maine.rr.com . Thank you to Spotted Vision Photography and Riitta Fortier for providing us with many wonderful photographs from 2017 Downeast Medal Finals.

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