Editor's Note:  The following letter was released by Dr. Stephen L. Mullins from the SHOW HIO.  Earlier today the new shoeing guidelines were released by SHOW.

SHOW HIOs FLAT SHOD RULES INTENTIONS

I REALIZE THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION OVER THE NEW SHOEING RULES. LET ME TRY TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. COUNTRY PLEASURE, TRAIL PLEASURE, LITE SHOD DIVISIONS ARE ALL TO HAVE NO TUNGSTEN OR ANY DENSER GRADE METAL. AN EXACT DEFINITION OF WHAT “HOT OR COLD ROLLED STEEL “ IS INTENDED TO MEAN WILL BE IN THE RULE BOOK (PROBABLY 3 TO 4 PAGES LONG)AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS WE GET THESE DEFINITIONS FROM SEVERAL METALLURGISTS. MY UNDERSTANDING ON THIS SUBJECT IS THE STEEL WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY IS A “LOW TO MEDIUM CARBON HOT OR COLD ROLLED STEEL”. IT IS THE INTENTION OF SHOW TO KEEP THE HEAVIER METALS OUT OF THE LITE SHOD , TRAIL PLEASURE AND COUNTRY PLEASURE. THE FINE FOR HAVING A SHOE WHICH INCLUDES TUNGSTEN OR OTHER SUCH MATERIALS IN THESE DIVISIONS WILL BE SEVERE(IE. $ 2000  AND A YEAR SUSPENSION OR WORSE). I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING A METALLURGISTS , BUT WE WILL HAVE THE TRUE INTENT OF THESE RULES AS SOON AS WE COMPILE THE DEFINITIONS FROM THE METALLURGISTS. HOWEVER, SHOW HIO WILL RESERVE THE RIGHT PULL SHOES RANDOMLY OR ROUTINELY TO INSURE THESE RULES ARE FOLLOWED.

SHOW HIOs INTENT BY HAVING A NEW DIVISION WHICH IS CALLED PLANTATION PLEASURE IS TO GIVE A DIVISION FOR THE EXHIBITOR OR TRAINER WHO DESIRES TO HAVE TUNGSTEN OR SIMILAR MATERIALS. THE LITE SHOD DIVISIONS WHICH WILL HAVE NO TUNGSTEN WILL HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE THOSE EXHIBITORS OR TRAINERS WHO DO NOT WANT TO COMPETE AGAINST TUNGSTEN SHOES. SHOW BELIEVES THAT EACH DIVISION CAN ENHANCE THEIR CASE FOR TUNGSTEN OR NO TUNGSTEN BY SUPPORTING THEIR PARTICULAR CLASS AT SHOWS WHERE THESE DIVISIONS ARE AVAILABLE.IF CLASS SHEETS OR SHOWS DO NOT HAVE THESE DIVISIONS, THEN WE SUGGEST YOU CALL THE MANAGER OF THE SHOW AND REQUEST HE/SHE ADD YOUR DIVISION. A DIVISION WILL ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL IF IT IS SUPPORTED AND SPONSORED.

SHOW HIO IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING SORING AND PRESSURE SHOEING. WE WILL PENALIZE THE PRESSURE SHOEING VIOLATOR BY GIVING A LIFE TIME SUSPENSION. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A SEVERE PENALTY(HOPEFULLY LIFETIME) TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CAUGHT WITH FALSE BOTTOMS IN A HOOF. THERE IS NO MEDICAL REASON THAT A HORSE WITH A FALSE SOLE SHOULD EVER BE SHOWN.

BANDS ARE ANOTHER HOT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION. IF WE ARE TRULY AFTER KEEPING OUR HORSE HEALTHY WHICH SHOW HIO IS AND IF WE DO OUR JOB IN DETECTING PRESSURE SHOD HORSES WHICH SHOW HIO WILL, BANDS CAN BE A VALUABLE TOOL TO KEEP THE INTEGRITY OF THE HOOF HEALTHIER. CAN BANDS BE ABUSED? YES, CAN BANDS IF LEFT ON TOO TIGHT HURT A HOOF? YES..BUT CAN BANDS KEEP A HOOF  FROM TEARING OR BREAKING OR A SHOE FROM COMING OFF ON A WALKING HORSE WHICH CLIPS ITSELF? YES.. WHETHER WE WANT TO BELIEVE IT OR NOT SHOES CAN COME OFF EVEN WHEN THEY WEIGH AS LITTLE AS A STAMPED KEG SHOE. BECAUSE OF THIS , SHOW HIO BELIEVES THE POSITIVES FOR THE BAND OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES. THEREFORE, BANDS ARE OPTIONAL ON ALL FLATSHOD DIVISIONS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THEM OR IF YOUR HORSE DOESN’T NEED THEM, DO NOT WEAR THEM. ALSO, SHOW HIO REQUIRES ALL BANDS TO BE TIGHTENED PRIOR TO ENTERING THE INSPECTION AREA. IF A BAND NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED AFTER GOING THROUGH INSPECTION, THE HORSE WILL BE REINSPECTED. THIS HAS AND WILL REMAIN A SHOW HIO RULE.

THANKS,
DR. STEPHEN L. MULLINS