A: First, I must start by stating that I am not a lawyer and my comments are not to be misconstrued as legal advice. Under the Canadian Copyright Act, the commissioner (ie, the person who hired the photographer) of a photograph owns the copyright on that photograph unless there is a contract to the contrary. Photographers are the only creators in Canada, and most of the industrialized world for that matter, who do not automatically own copyright on their commissioned works. If there is no commissioner, the photographer owns the copyright. In this case, you would need the permission of the photographer to post the image on your website or use it in advertising. In very basic terms, the photograph is the photographer’s “product.” Just as you would not use any other company’s product in advertising without asking permission, you are not allowed to use the photograph – even though it is a photograph of your horse. If you had paid the photographer for the image, and there was not a contract assigning copy-right to the photographer, you would be the copyright owner, and as such would be able to use the image as you wished – from displaying it on your website to selling reprints to advertising and everything in between. This also holds true for the photographer at the horse shows. If she/he charges a fee and does not use a contract assigning copyright, whether it is to her/himself, the horse show management or some other party, then you are the copyright owner and are able to use the images as you wish. If the photographer holds copyright, you must negotiate a fee to use the photograph in any other way than was intended. In your case, you would need to negotiate for web or advertising usage.

A. It is difficult to assess the condition of the hooves without actually seeing them. However, the missing bits you describe may be caused by unbalanced wear. If the hooves are not hitting the ground evenly, overstressed parts of the hoof may break off.
A well-balanced trim will allow the hooves to function as nature intended so they can grow and wear evenly with each step. Providing a natural environment (lots of movement, water to the hooves, different types of terrain) along with a good trim will allow your horse to grow healthy, strong feet so he will move soundly and safely on any type of surface. You may need to be patient as it will take some time for those “terrible feet” to grow out and be replaced by new healthy hooves. Protective hoof boots may be needed to keep him comfortable during this transition.