“The summers are so nice here, maybe I’ll move my barn to Kentucky,” I heard a hunter/jumper trainer from Texas say–only half-jokingly–last week.

Indeed, the Bluegrass has put on a great display of weather thus far during the Kentucky Horse Park’s six-week stretch of AA-rated horse shows. Uncharacteristically cool temperatures coupled with frequent rain showers have resulted in lush green landscapes and pleasant days spent ringside. They’ve also brought with them a wealth of hoof-care woes as pastures and arenas alternate between dry and soggy.

Pastern dermatitis, or scratches, is one of several hoof-care challenges I’ve faced with my horses this summer

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