My friend has an 18 month old Irish setter bought for show, he is beautiful boy in good hard condition, fab muscle and is free run up hill and across fieldsl 5 out of 7 days per week, however in the ring his movement in the ring is poor, he has been described as having soft hocks !!! Anyone got any tips to help with this as apart from this he is superb and far too good to give up on ( show wise ) xx

I hate to say it but I would have thought if he was fit and in good condition at 18 months his movement is probably down to his construction. They say running on pebble beaches tightens up hocks so it may be worth a try but if he is already "tight" in condition I cannot see it doing much good. Sometimes the most wonderfull looking dog in stance throws it all away on movement and we have to accept that is just the way he is made.
Sorry not very helpful am I !
Aileen

Free running isn't necessarily the best way to build up condition - does he have any road walking?
If not that's what I'd try - lots of it (always works for me)

Thanks for your help, I agree road walking is the way I would be going xx

I do both and uphill walking .