INSPECTION EXPECTATIONS FOR IDHSNA STUDBOOKS

Inspection expectations is intended as a simple overview of the Inspection process for IDHSNA studbooks. Requirements at Inspection differ between stallions and mares/geldings. For stallions there are more detailed instructions with the pre-Inspection vetting process. For mares and geldings there are no requirements for vetting pre-Inspection. Overall, it is important that you are prepared for the Inspection of your horse - the horse should be fit, groomed and manageable and prepared for the task they will need to accomplish at Inspection.

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Presentation
The horse must be presented in a bridle. Clean and brushed is expected; braiding is requested but not required. IMPORTANT: horses for approval into the ID Studbook should not have their legs trimmed. The horse should be presented with natural feathering.
 

Documentation and Process
The organizer of your inspection site will have an order of go. Be prepared to present your horse at the appointed time.
 

Bring the horse’s registration book to the inspection. Once the Inspection has started, your first stop will be with the Inspection veterinarian. You will hand your horse’s Registration Book to the veterinarian steward.

Note: the marking sheet MUST be in the Book as the veterinarian will confirm that the horse being presented IS the horse on the marking sheet. The Registration Book (If your horse is approved) will be forwarded to the Registrar, and a new book will be mailed back to you.

After the horse has been positively identified by the veterinarian, the horse’s height, bone, and girth measurements will be taken. Your horse will be asked to trot up and back on hard ground - asphalt or similar surface. Lame horses will not move on to the inspectors. The results of a cursory soundness exam and notation of any heritable defects (see list below) will be recorded. If heritable defects are noted, horses will move forward for a pending classification.

Following the Veterinarian exam, the horse will typically move to a designated area where an inspection conformation photo is taken. Once this is completed the horse is moved into the arena with the Inspectors. The horse will be presented in-hand for a standing conformation assessment. The inspectors will walk around the horse, may touch him and even pick up his feet.

The horse will then be led in-hand at walk and trot as directed by the inspectors. The inspectors will want to observe the horse’s movement on a straight line away from and toward them at natural working walk and trot. It is advised that this is practiced so that you show your horse well. You may also be asked to trot a long side and corner or to trot in a triangular formation. The inspectors will then ask to see your horse at liberty. Your reins or lead should be easy to remove and put back on.

Following this, eligible horses - mares and geldings 3 years old and up who have been approved by the inspectors, or awarded Class 1 or Class 2 - may opt to jump for Bronze Merit. It is the decision of the inspectors, however, if the jump is sufficient to be awarded merit. See Jumping for Merit Section.

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Stallions
For sport horse stallions, veterinary endoscopic evaluation report must be completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian and submitted to the Registrar’s office directly from the veterinarian completing the veterinary work within 90 days prior to or no more than 30 days after the date of inspection from the veterinarian completing the veterinary work. At Inspection, Sport horse stallions will have a cursory veterinary exam conducted as part of the inspection process. This will include examination for soundness and freedom from inherited defects. Any condition flagged at an inspection that is deemed potentially serious will require the owner to get further diagnostic work by a board-certified veterinarian at the owner's expense. Following the veterinarian review, the horse enters the arena and the inspectors complete the overall review of the stallion as described in the previous section. The stallion will then be required to free jump. This will typically be at least 2 jumps and a small 'starter' fence. The main jump may be an oxer. See diagram for details of the jump chute.

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Purebred stallions must complete an endoscopic exam prior to inspection as well as the rest of the pre-inspection veterinary exam and x-rays (see pre-Inspection vetting instructions). All results from x-rays and exam must be received by the Registrar’s office by Aug 1 from the veterinarian completing the veterinary work. At Inspection, Purebred stallions will be seen by the veterinarian for identification, measurement and jogging for soundness. Following the veterinarian review, the horse enters the arena, and the inspectors complete the overall review of the stallion as described in the previous section. The stallion will then be required to free jump. This will typically be at least 2 jumps and a small 'starter' fence. The main jump may be an oxer. See diagram for details of the jump chute.

For all horses the inspectors' recommendation regarding classification, pass, fail, or deferment will usually be given at the time of inspection. The classification may be delayed if further diagnostics are required by the on-site veterinarian.

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Jumping for Merit (Optional):
Graded/Approved mares and geldings 3 years old and up will be given the option to free jump for Bronze merit. If your horse was not approved you will not be able to jump for merit. There will typically be at least 2 jumps and a small 'starter' fence. The main jump is typically an oxer. Horses should be familiar with a Jump Chute before Inspection time.

Jumping heights and distances are at the discretion of the inspectors (who have the best interest of the horse in mind). The jump chute will typically be set with 3 jumps. The first warm-up jump will be approximately 19-1/2 feet (6 meters) from the turn. The second jump will be in a straight line approximately 22 feet (6.8 meters) after the first jump. The main jump, usually an oxer, will be in a straight line approximately 24 feet (7.3 meters) from the second. The inspectors may use their discretion as to the number of attempts required to assess a horse over the obstacles and as to the height of the fences. Jumps will start as small and inviting and move up at the inspectors' direction.

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Typically, the maximum height of the fence will be 1.00m and width of 1.05m. for purebred mares and geldings. This will also be maximum for 3-year-old purebred stallions and 3-year-old sport horse stallions. The usual maximum height for sport horse mares and geldings is 1.15m and width of 1.05m.

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Foals at Inspection:
Any foal that is in the inspection area accompanying her dam during inspection must be on halter and lead with their own handler. This is necessary for the safety of the horses and all personnel that may be helping in the arena. Mares with foals at foot will be able to go through the jump chut at the discretion of the owners and inspectors. The foal must be able to stand quietly with its own handler during the jump chute portion for the safety of all involved.

Attire of handler:
There is no set attire for the handler, although many choose to dress in a jacket, slacks and hat. The handler(s) should be well groomed and present a neat appearance. Wear shoes that are appropriate around horses AND allow you to move out comfortably with your horse. Helmets are strongly recommended.