Foal Inspections in the South

[back in the saddle]

Why are the foal inspections in the south always in the heat of the summer?

Would it be possible to request earlier / cooler foal show dates? It seems like the NE always has the first inspections and then a few months later they head south. That makes no sense IMO. Start in the warmer states and head north with the frost line. ;)

When my filly was inspected in '08 it was July/August and 100 degrees during the day. Needless to say none of the foals/mares had much energy and showed really well.

Anyone else agree the southern states should get earlier inspection dates in the year?

[YankeeLawyer]

Why are the foal inspections in the south always in the heat of the summer?

Would it be possible to request earlier / cooler foal show dates? It seems like the NE always has the first inspections and then a few months later they head south. That makes no sense IMO. Start in the warmer states and head north with the frost line. ;)

When my filly was inspected in '08 it was July/August and 100 degrees during the day. Needless to say none of the foals/mares had much energy and showed really well.

Anyone else agree the southern states should get earlier inspection dates in the year?

When was your foal born?

Mine are usually born in March and April but are usually among the first in my area, and most people prefer to present foals when they are at least a few months old.

[Home Again Farm]

AHS does a fall tour in the south. My inspection is usually mid October. The weather is better, but the foals are so old that they don't tend to show well.

[back in the saddle]

She was a May '08 and it was an late July/August inspection if my memory is right. 100 degrees.

Just hoping to do things a little differently in the future. :)

eta:
'AHS does a fall tour in the south. My inspection is usually mid October. The weather is better, but the foals are so old that they don't tend to show well.

exactly. August is too hot, October and the foals are well beyond the 3 month old stage. June at the latest inspections would be better in terms of weather. At least if they are nice they feel like showing off.

[NorthHillFarm]

I was talking to a friend about this just the other day. I register my foals GOV and AHS. We were discussing why there always fall inspection tours in the warmer states, while up here they are early-mid summer? I like my foals born in May-June but they never seem to do as well at the inspections as the ones born in March. There's NO way I'm having babies born in March in NY...it just seems silly to me...
The latest inspection up this way is in July. Had my AHS mare taken this year, I would have missed the inspections, she would have been due in late July...as it is the last foal due here is due at the end of June. A 4 hour trip to the inspections with a 2-4 week old foal seems like too much...
I would love for the inspections to be just a little later up here...

[YankeeLawyer]

She was a May '08 and it was an late July/August inspection if my memory is right. 100 degrees.

Just hoping to do things a little differently in the future. :)

eta:
'

exactly. August is too hot, October and the foals are well beyond the 3 month old stage. June at the latest inspections would be better in terms of weather. At least if they are nice they feel like showing off.

There is no way I would take a 1 month old foal to an inspection.

[back in the saddle]

Neither would I. (I didn't breed her, I bought her after she was born) Just say'n that 100 deg heat isn't fun to haul in or stand around in for me and the horses.

BUT... I would breed for an early foal in the south and plan for earlier inspections in cooler weather. :)

And happily, it's looking like I'll be joining the breeding gang this year as I'm going to buy a very pretty Rubinstein mare. :D

[flyinghorse]

I am a glutton! I have hosted an inspection every summer in one of the hottest parts of the southeast (outside of Coumbia, SC.) We ususally get started as early as possible, and get it done before the 100 degree temperatures set in. We have been very lucky the past few years, as it has not been too terribly unbearable.

This year, we are hosting an AHS Inspection July 14...keeping our fingers crossed that it remains tolerable. Fortunately our farm is not too far off of the lake, so we get some cooling breezes.

[DownYonder]

Foal inspections in the south have always been problematic. I have organized the Georgia Oldenburg (GOV) inspections since 2000, and we wrestle every year with scheduling.

June inspections have proved to be too early, as some breeders are still waiting for foals or they have very young foals and don't want to trailer them. We have tried July inspections, which are sort of okay since we use a covered arena and usually start early in the AM and are finished by noon or 1 pm, but it is still tricky for breeders who have to trailer during the heat of the day. August is usually out for us, as the inspectors are in another part of the country. Sept. and Oct. can also be difficult because there are so many events in Germany that require the presence of Verband officials.

We did a mid-Oct. inspection last year, and while it was a big relief temperature-wise from our usual summer inspection, some of the early foals were not in good growth stages and some had been weaned and so had lost some of their bloom. Not sure what the plan is for this year - don't know if we will try for an early or late inspection. One thing is for sure - there is no way to please everyone. :lol:

[back in the saddle]

How far in advance are the inspections scheduled? If people would/could know the year prior, maybe breedings could be scheduled to coorelate?

Once you get past 3 people involved in anything, someone will always be unhappy with the plans. Unfortuanatly, that's the way it is.

[paintjumper]

Do ALL of the WB registries require foal inspections? If so, what happens if a foal can't get to an inspection....is it not registered?
Thanks

[NorthHillFarm]

I was hoping to host an AHS inspection up here but unfortunately I just don't think I can generate rnough interest...I wish!
It looks like my AHS and GOV inspections will be the same week this year (2nd week in July)...I"m just hoping they give me a few days in between because I have to drive so far for the AHS inspection! I am fortunate and I only have to drive about an hour for the GOV Inspection...but we are already thinking about alternate plans for the AHS foal anyway...it'll probably be too young to travel that far.
It must be extremely difficult the schedule the inspection tours, and I know it is costly for the registries, and no, as hard as you try, you can never please everyone...but it sure is nice to know that there are others that would like to see things changed around a bit!

Paintjumper...I know the AHS will allow you to register by mail but your foal does not get branded that way. You either have to get it "late" branded at another inspection or the inspection the following year, or pay for outreach branding (you pay for the brander to come to your farm including all travel expenses and hotel).

[acottongim]

Do ALL of the WB registries require foal inspections? If so, what happens if a foal can't get to an inspection....is it not registered?
Thanks

The ATA does not require them. There are "voluntary" marks that are offered on the foals if the owner/breeder would like to get them on their foals (helpful way to check their breeding program and/or see if the young colt should be kept intact etc) but they are not mandatory. The mares/stallions have to be inspected to be bred but that happens when they are older.

[Sonesta]

We are almost as far south as you can get without living in south florida. We are in Houston. Our AHS inspections are in October and - even though our foals tend to be 6 months old or so by then - we are GRATEFUL that they are at a time when the heat is not oppressive to the foals. Since we don't get scores with AHS (and most other registries) I really don't see that it's such a big deal that the foals are older. Especially when you have the temperature trade off.

AHS once did an inspection in Houston in July or August. It was under a covered arena, but still one of the inspectors actually passed out from the heat - so imagine how hard it is on the foals to be trailered in that climate and then run around in the arena. NOT GOOD.

[back in the saddle]

Lets you have really really nice colt.

Could the age difference make a difference on whether or not that colt is named a stallion prospect from lets say.. 3 months (august inspection) to 5 months (october inspection)? (due to odd growth stage)

[YankeeLawyer]

Lets you have really really nice colt.

Could the age difference make a difference on whether or not that colt is named a stallion prospect from lets say.. 3 months (august inspection) to 5 months (october inspection)? (due to odd growth stage)

Absolutely - and that is why the AHS does not award "premiums" or grade the foals, nor do they name stallion prospects (btw, a practice which I think is completely absurd at that age). Sometimes being older can be an advantage as they might be larger and more well developed. Other times it is a disadvantage because they might be at an awkward growth stage.

Personally, I go to inspections because they are nice events where you can see other breeders and what they are doing, and maybe get some helpful insights from the inspectors (assuming you have knowledgeable inspectors - NOT always the case). I do not put much stock in whether a foal "won" the inspection or not, because it is just a snapshot in time at a stage when the babies are changing every day.

[Tamara in TN]

AHS once did an inspection in Houston in July or August. It was under a covered arena, but still one of the inspectors actually passed out from the heat - so imagine how hard it is on the foals to be trailered in that climate and then run around in the arena. NOT GOOD.


why aren't they held at night under the lights ?

Tamara in TN

[paintjumper]

I TOTALLY don't care about hauling a baby to an inspection, and may have an AHHA baby next year, can the foal get AHHA "papers" without the inspection stuff? Both the sire and dam are AHHA.

[SGray]

why aren't they held at night under the lights ?

Tamara in TN

in July/August/September it doesn't 'cool down' (that being a relative term - cool down from 100+ deg. plus 90 pct humidity to 80 deg plus 80pct humidity) until midnight or later

[Tamara in TN]

in July/August/September it doesn't 'cool down' (that being a relative term - cool down from 100+ deg. plus 90 pct humidity to 80 deg plus 80pct humidity) until midnight or later

I realize this is the case in FL and TX but in parts of Ga/Al/NC/MS/KY you can and do have horse shows under the lights...and it's really not too bad...

it seems that folks should shift away from a N European "ideal" and adapt to their own climates...

Tamara in TN