Sarah
|
September 2008I should really have posted all this news in August as it all happened in August but hey ho time marches on.
Went down to Nic's in Devon with NJH and Morris and it poured and poured and poured with rain so Morris only got a bit of a short outing, his hooves continue to be great and although we have had an abscess pop out he is always rock crunching. His brain however continues to be ditsey and endurance feels a long way off. Hopefully next year he can start going out to pleasure rides and not losing it 
While in Devon NJH went out hunting for the first time and was FANTASTIC, stood still with the other horses, managed the moorland terrain with a great amount of sure footedness. We finished after four and half hours and I reckon we covered between 15 and 20 miles. He was sound as a pound over everything ( even the large rocky flints) but I did wonder whether he would be worse for wear the next day.
Next day he was just stiff, like I woiuld be if I had just been to the gym and got a bit carried away  . Next day he was lame on his right front, the opposite one which caused a problem originally with the navicular diagnosis. It took him about 10 days to get over this. It is linked quite definitely with a very contracted heel on this hoof where the central sulcus has become a slit and is very susceptible to infection. It was infected when the shoes came off and of course as his heels have lowered through wear it is now coming into load bearing and hey presto he now knows it is there.
Anyway by the middle of last week he was fine, yesterday he did a fun ride with Fari and roared round over all the jumps enjoying himself to the hilt. I have a wonderful picture of him which I'll up load on to my website in the next couple of days.
Next weekend I think he is up for a hunter trial 
It is four months almost to the day since he had his bar shoes removed.
S x
|
Nic
|
Have to say, little Foxy was an absolute dream boat when Sarah took him hunting - everyone admired him and said what a nice boy he was, and his manners matched 
He had such a lovely day, and was absolutely stomping all over our steep flinty hills, and I suspect he voted that it was all worthwhile  A bit like us after a really exciting day, he didn't realise till he got home that maybe he wasn't as fit as he thought he was  Bit like me when I get up in the mornings 
What a little star he is - he definitely has a place on our team chasers' team, which is only open to navicular horses Actually I think with Hector, Bill, Conto, Foxy and Ghost, not to mention a dozen clients' horses, the team is a a bit over-subscribed 
Nic
|
Yann
|
Well after my despondency and frustration with her boots and things in general Rio has suddenly taken a turn for the better and started hacking out comfortably bootless again. The fact she's now also bringing herself in from the field again morning and night and scoffing hay is not coincidental
|
brucea
|
Scary fillers night tonight! My big boy was so good! Been a few showers today and I was feeling careful, but he didn't slip once.
Smiley starfish, blue fish and pink pigs...absolutely terrified me! 
|
hobnob
|
After 2 weeks of not much improvement we seem to be on the up again today. Went out in front boots yesterday for a little walkies - maybe that has helped ?
|
jane stevens
|
Otto acheived his first EGB 40km ride at open level on Sunday we completed in 14.55 kph which is fast for us His heart rate was 52 when vetted at the finish this is quite high for him but we think it was because the venue was Barbary Castle which is a Point to Point course and has white rails everywhere so maybe he thought he was back racing 
Oh and when we presented to the farrier at the start he said although Otto has "Good Feet" the Ridgeway is very flinty and sharp so be careful  I thanked him for his comments and advice
Ecliptic could'nt do the ride as he had a scabby heel which decided to get infected the day before:roll: never had mud fever before 
|
SueH
|
Jake still lame on nav leg - seems very happy to walk around paddock, but there is intermittent and slight head bob in trot and he's head-tossy in trot so it must be irritating. Have not cantered. 
No sign of abscess yet. Still on soaked hay (10-12 hour soaking) but sun+rain does not make a good diet paddock so this is not helping, I am sure of it.
I do think he is deadly bored of his little paddok having not been out for a week, and in need of a little interest. I might try him in some boots for a potter down the lane tomorrow, so long as he looks happy, perhaps just to the corner and back?
x
Sue
|
brucea
|
Bored?.....Just a thought - if it doesn;t have overhangign trees then maybe try throwing in some branches with leaves on...it kept our guys occupied for hours. Took a bit of cleaning up though.
|
hobnob
|
I know what you mean about rain/sun. Pone was 100 percent yesterday - allowed very titchy bit of grass last night and we are a bit footy today. Delete yesterdays comment on this thread 
|
hobnob
|
100 percent stonking again - still not having grass only what's growing on mud track (which is now under and inch or two of water thanks to todays hefty downpours!)
|
SueH
|
Thanks Brucea for tip - Jake does have long bushy hedgerow and overhanging sycamore trees. He ignores trees but browses sometimes on hawthawn and rosehip tips. I wonder if bringing him branches of species not in his hedgerow - e.g. hazelnut ( i think that's what it is) is big favourite I've noticed on little lane we go on.
Jake was still lame RF in trot on hard concrete, before trim on Wednesday. Better on soft. Sound in walk on straight, some discomfort twisting/turning at walk on RF. No obvious signs of trouble when foot checked.
He's had a week off exercise so far but since he is sound in walk and movement is life, post-trim I took him out for test walk in fr. boots. He v much enjoyed himself noseying at everying. Just 15 mins down the lane and back: he was on his toes, ears fwd, v happy. On return, after carefully keeping to walk, I turned him loose in his paddock and he launched into canter to the top . First canter I've seen for a week. I think he may be on the mend, but we'll keep rides to walk for now (at least while riding)until I see sound trot.
Band of ripples on fronts (not on rear) are growing out - ( showing dietary issues of earlier in 2008 - April/May I think). Wall is nice and flat above it.
Crack from 2007 abscess is now only mm away from disappearing completely. Have been pLugging hole with White Lightening gel + cotton wool and more lately, rinsing with White Lightening liquid (which you premix with white vinegar) and the odd soak in this seemed to have done the the trick. I rinse by mixing up small batch in small travel-size spayer and fire it in to the hole. it solubilizes the crap, kills the bugs and prepares clean hole which you then plug with gel and cotton wool.
Flare has been trimmed away and his tiny TB tootsies looking beautiful - thanks Sarah
Now have good source of late-cut, unfertilised (xcept winter sheepoo) meadow hay, small bales. This + small l bales of Timothy horsehage will do until winter when chums need haylage and can get big bale haylage.
x
Sue
|
brucea
|
SueH - our guys don't like autumn hawthorn or sycamore much - but like your lad they really love the rosehips and clean any bushes they find! Rosehip shells have a nice sweet and zingy flavour so no wonder they like them! They're gorging on the raspberry leaves, bramble berries and the cow parsley when they get a chance!
Had Link out today for about 2 hours roadwork (the "scary" circle walk - and it was scary - combine harvesters!) - just went out barefoot and didn't bother with the boots since we were on tarmac - nice big woody "clop" sound - great.
No footiness at all - but when we got back he had worn his back heels right down flat and a fair bit of his frog worn flat too - all hard and leathery. It's only his hinds do this. Fronts look just fine. 
I used to worry about it, but by next weekend they will have probably pushed back up again - they do this surprisingly quickly. Just had to reapply his rolls, and take the sharp edges off. He's growing his walls more thickly round the toes on the hinds- so I guess this might be how he likes them, they aren't long in the toe at all so I'll maybe leave it that way and see how it goes.
The little bit of wariness he was showing when out without his front boots has gone as the grass has started to die back down and get tougher. Interesting.
|
Jane
|
Magic and Dan have just been on their hols to 'sunny' exmoor.
Magic was the best he's ever been - due to the lovely wet weather he specifically sought out the stoniest tracks and used them! I've had this horse barefoot for 4 years now, and yet this week he managed to totally blow my mind with how good his feet were.
There's a particularly hideous track, which is about 1 in 4 steep and has that solid stone (ie natural stone) base, covered in flint and boulders. He just stomped up it, grumbling that the river that had decided it needed to run down it was getting in his way!
Dan? Can't really do hills, particularly uphill, but he coped brilliantly with the stoney tracks. Got a real mountain goat there! We did dig the renegades out for two rides- mainly cos there was lots of road work (like a couple of hours) and he has only been being ridden once or twice a week for the last 3 months (bad mom). It was the first (and probably my only!) test of the renegades as he was brilliant on the stones.... they were good, but they are still boots and both of us were happier without them!!!
|
SueH
|
Brucea - put some big branches of hazelnut in which Jake found VERY interesting. Shook em about and nearly wacked me on the behind - I'm sure I saw a smile....
Will go on hunt for other stuff you mentioned - if only to find my neddy further weapons...
x
Sue
|
Sarah
|
Yo Central sulcus infection now conquered with the aid of salty water, hibiscrub, white lightening and a hoof boot. Now I can drag a hoof pick through the slit and my pone doesn't try to exit stage right.
Happy days ........ perhaps now the back of his foot will start to spread. 
Still got the slitty hinds to conquer though!
Sadly hunter trial was postponed due to flooding so went out instead to the show jumping and, unlike last time where it took two laps of the arena to pull up and then we got eliminated for jumping the wrong jump in the jump off ( things were a bit of a speedy blur ), this time we were very sedate, jumped all the correct jumps, pulled up nicely after the last one and were so slow in the jump offs that we came 6th and 7th. Out of about 30 and 20 though so pretty good going for my NJH.
Comment of the day was "I didn't think you were supposed to jump navicular horses"
S x
|
rose
|
My girl is improving at last. She is fairly sound on roads and in the school and I rode her out in front boot only and whilst was tentative on the worst bits of track she was otherwise fine.
Been a bit of a long haul this year as she has been footy more often than not so I am pleased to see an improvement.
Struggling with the small sectioned off paddock she is on as its liquid mud. I am lucky that my yard lets me move her pen around a bit so I can move her on to a new bit every couple of days. The problem with that is each new bit has new grass so I can only move her a tiny bit at a time. Then the hay gets trampled in to the mud and poos and poo picking turns in to a weight lifting session
|
hobnob
|
Well done Rose and pony !!
Its good when it goes right (occassionally !!) We are up and down and I think soggy feet are partially to blame - we will see 
|
SueH
|
Jake very footy last couple of days prob cos Sept grass which has shot up, so have cut paddock back down again. Took him out for little 15 min walk in boots - he enjoyed the outing and we took it all very slow but its all very frustrating.
I never thought I'd say it but roll on winter
x
Sue
|
Tally
|
Just to let you know that I started to use Dengie's Alfa Pellets. They are quite cheap at £7 per kg. They soak much faster than any of the fastest Simple Systems Alfa and they do not contain molasses.
They are great to add Mg and other supplements to ! I wish I'd heard about it sooner...
|
hobnob
|
Bit of an experiment over the last few days. Pony really footy on large stone area in mud paddock. Thought it could be waterlogged feet as she has had no grass for nearly 3 weeks. Gave grass (small bit) the last 3 nights by moving elec fence and although still cr*ppy on stones no pulse or heat or worsening. I wont push it with the grass but I really need to dry those feet out. Her frogs are non smelly but really squidgy to the touch. Any ideas anyone - we dont do stabled I'm afraid - we are a chestnut mare !! 
|
brucea
|
Maybe not a practical sugggestion where you are - but maybe you can get 2-4 rubber mats and put them down where the hay is - if the ground will support them that is - that will give a drier area to stand on. Or put them on the stone - they will be more conformant than the stone area - remember what Bob Bowker said about hoof perfusion on hard surfaces. Maybe even just roll out some straw on the stones - although I know from experience that is a real b****r to clean up!!! There's always the bigger grass area and muzzle option - if redheads can wear muzzles!
We are lucky - our dry lot is on a stony sand/clay base with sand on top so although it does get slightly squishy after heavy rain, it dries out very quickly indeed.
We used to be in a yard where the soil was a heavy loam and when it rained the horses were up to their hocks in mud - it was just a constant struggle at times of the year - but I felt sorry for the older horses round the hay rings becuase they couldn't get out of the way of more dominant horses and at times fell over in the mud or just got really sore muscles and joints. Mud fever was a big issue too in that environment.
|
evie
|
look on freecycle or chat up your local landscaping contractors and get some old paving slabs to go on the mud. if your eyelashes are especially fluttery they might even put them down for you!
i've got a small slabbed area that i feed hay on at one end of the day so the girls' feet get a chance to dry out at least some of the time and it seems to be helping where mingness is concerned. there's another 2 pallets full of lovely slabs on the yard that i've got my eye on - just need to catch the landscaping guys when they've got the manitou out and can move them for me then i can put a bigger & more stable area of them down that's big enough for me to spread the hay out on rather than having them stood still eating from nets on the small area.
ooh - or see whether anyone's throwing any old carpets out & cover the stones? will quickly get minging but would be a short term fix for ouching and is easily removed.
h has been off since mid august with poorly paw - inflamed tendon sheath that she wasn't lame with when weightbearing, just not quite flicking toe as much as she should, with slightly puffy leg. then the other week suddenly went very lame - thinking abscess although there are no suspicious holes and she's better now so it might come back but i hopped on her bareback for a tootle round the yard yesterday and my very-good-at-spotting-things friend is coming to have a look tonight. sooti's in fine fettle, fore frogs are totally nonexistent but have gone back to basics and am just scrubbing with salt paste every day to zap bugs and exfoliate the little minging stuff that's left. seems to be working in combination with a little more time in the dry. gonna stick frog supports in her boots to try and encourage them to grow back but she's hopefully going on lwvtb soon and will likely be shod.
|
hobnob
|
Thanks for suggestions guys. We do have a couple of small concrete areas but we like to stand in mud !!
The evening hay I put on the floor in the barn with concrete at one end and a comfy bed at the other (great for piddling on even though we have loads of space outside) so they stand on a dry surface for a few hours.
Bought a couple of bales of cheap dusty shavings yesterday and put down on worst of mud. Looks like it has snowed and pones love rolling in it !!
P>S> Hasnt rained today though - yipee !!
I havent tried ginger pone in a muzzle - I think that would finish her off !!
|
cptrayes
|
I've just finished four hours hunting on George and when I checked his feet they could do with the heels being lowered a bit they weren't worn at all. I had great fun when people spotted his bare feet and surprisingly everyone was very open to the idea and there were no stupid comments at all. Some people were really interested in how sound he was on the stone tracks and all the roadwork we did. we had a lot of fun and we'll be going again soon I hope
C
|
Terry
|
Had a very sucessful weekend out with Medraar doing 42km and Abu, enjoyed some jumping combined with Endurance on the Sunday. The whole gang going very well at the moment now I have re-introduced my spraying with Milton to ensure those bugs don't get in to make those nasty abcessess!!
Terry
|
SueH
|
Took Jake out sat and sun with chums for hack - keeping to walk where he sound.
In boots, he appears to be very happy in walk on soft, smooth suface e.g. tarmac fine. He definitely speeds up when we move on to turf, providing its not all bumpy/churned up.
He takes downhill very carefully, even in boots, but this is not unusual behaviour for Jake and I have put that down to poor heels which are definitely beefing up, but still very much work in progress for this navicular neddy as we started from zero cushioning.
In trot he is intermittently lame, although I feel its improved very slightly since first noticed about 2 weeks ago. He can start off well but then you get a few head bobs.
In the paddock he will break into canter, run around a buck without seemingly pulling up in pain at all.
Out in company yesterday, he was keen to catch up as mare got ahead and gave a little buck of frustration - which is what Jake does when left behind (we have issues, what can I say ) He was happy to trot and seemed sound for few steps, but then I detected the unbalance so pulled him up to walk. Cant fathom this lameness at all.
I was going on the approach of letting him dictate, to a certain extent, the pace according to his comfort zone. However, he will go outside his comfort zone to catch up with company so I am wondering whether he's better hacking out alone for the moment.
I have vet coming out for blood tests (tape, white blood cell count -to see if it back down since virus) so will ask for his view as its been 2 weeks now. I do this with a certain amount of dread: I have visions of advice on heartbars, box rest and the difficult discussions that will necessarily follow from this, since I have faith in neither approach. Quite frankly I'd rather leave him as paddock potato than lock him up or put silly contraptions on his developing feet.
x
Sue
|
hobnob
|
We have had a couple of dry days and pony is fine again even though being on a little grass. I think feet were saturated and must have made her soles tender. She is alot happier now.
|
Yann
|
Rio looking good, Tess still struggling over stones...
|
jane stevens
|
Terry - well done they can jump too would really like to talk to you about barefoot endurance and stallions etc could you pm me your telephone number so that we could have a chat sometime ?
Many thanks
Jane
|
Nic
|
| Quote: | | I had great fun when people spotted his bare feet and surprisingly everyone was very open to the idea and there were no stupid comments at all. |
I think that may be because a whole load of your posse were down on Exmoor in the Spring, and were asking about 1000 questions about the barefoot horses down here - think we had at least 4 out without shoes that day They were a great bunch of people, but as I remember very surprised that we all hunted in waterproofs
Great to hear that you and George had so much fun, and that he was so awesome
Hector is my latest hunting star - did 3 hours over appalling ground on Saturday and was foot perfect, and loving it, even through the mires (!) so a proper little bog horse in the making
Nic
|
cptrayes
|
I think it was the North East Cheshire lot that you had? I hunt with the Cheshire Farmers (same area, cheaper sub, friendlier people) and none of them had seen a hunter without shoes before.
George loves the bogs, proper Irishman!
I've just bought my waterproof breathable white bowls trousers - just let them try and stop me wearing them! And I have a thin breathable jacket that I am going to wear under my hunt coat. It is the most ridiculous thing about drag hunting/fox hunting that you are not allowed to wear waterproof coats in the middle of the ******* winter !
If you fancy a day out with me Nic, let me know and you can ride George and I'll try to ride Jazz Serious offer.
C
|
Nic
|
| Quote: | | If you fancy a day out with me Nic, let me know and you can ride George and I'll try to ride Jazz |
Yes please Sounds fantastic - but it would have to be nice weather, as otherwis I would miss being kitted out head to toe in wet weather gear, like we go out down here!
I would definitely be up for it, may have to make a date later on in the season
Hope your weather is as FANTASTIC as our is today - and set fair for a fw more days...YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
|
cptrayes
|
At least we only do four hours on a circular route and always end up back at the lorries at four o'clock, wet or dry Your days can be endless, can't they?
|
Nic
|
| Quote: | | Your days can be endless, can't they? |
Lovely at the moment - start at 6-7am and home by 9.30-10am - perfect I'd be thrilled if we did these hours all season, but come the winter it sometimes feels endless - think the maximum was 7 and a half hours... its the miles of open moor when you have no idea where you are...
Sounds like you and George had a great day Wish Hector would stop on a loose rein within 15 yards at a flat out gallop
Looking forward to my day out your boy
N
|
sarahh
|
and still nothing seems to affect the feet & performance of my ponies!
The grass here in Wiltshire is like spring grass at the moment, but aside from being a bit fat this has had no affect on Boy or Tyler. I've not been feeding them on a daily basis but this doesn't seen to have made any difference. I will monitor if i see a ripple in their feet due to this.
Tylers cracks are almost grown out now. Boys walls are significantly thicker than they were, but his feet are becoming self trimming already, aside from some length on the toe.
Performance-wise they are ace, 10 mile hack of all roadwork last week, yesterday a 2-phase comp with stoney landings on the xc (we came 7th) & today schooling over a BE xc course at a nearby EC. No problems with any of the above.
So all good here for another month (touch wood!!!)
|
Yann
|
Thought Rio was improving, but she's still not quite 100% front or even just behind with me on her back, the extra little bit of weight seems to make all the difference unfortunately.
Have had serious food for thought this week, a friend who has had her horse long term barefoot and is struggling with all sorts of issues with her has just reluctantly had her reshod, and the difference so far is frankly astonishing.
|
Jane
|
The recently de-shod hoss has had a big abscess blow out which meant he was lame for a fortnight.
My three have somehow managed to work consistently and soundly, and yet all popped abscesses out of their heels in the same 24 hour period. Between 3 horses, I had FIVE abscesses - one front and hind for Ben and Dan, and one hind for Magic.
None of them has taken a gimpy step and after I came back from riding Ben and Dan and theirs had all popped, I took Magic galloping and his popped too!
A world record? And surely how abscesses are meant to be? I was soooo excited about how sound they all were I kept having to show everyone!!
|
hobnob
|
Still stonking and on small amounts of grass. The dry weather has really helped ponio as she had sponges as feet a couple of weeks ago. No flare has grown and all my ripples are long gone.
|
SueH
|
Jake still lame on RF.Cant make this lameness thing out. I did rest for a bit but since he seems so very sound + happy in walk I've been walking him out since end of last week, 30- 40 mins per day (booted on fronts) with young chum. Saturday he was also happy to gallop round the paddock in temper when I was late bringing his haylage ( he was starved in big herd as a youngster and we have food issues ) Cant say he looked bad in his temper canter but that's adrendline for you perhaps (better than bute eh?) Sunday on lunge on right rein, in trot he looked off. Hence we dont do this, we walk in straight lines.
yesterday he looked so good in walk on the lane, striding out. Tiny trot coming in from field and he looked sound but its intermittent and I darent get my hopes up.
Vet coming Thursday anyhow for bloods and skin test so we'll see what he makes of it all - he's pretty open minded about barefoot etc. Surely if he's very happy + sound in walk it cant be too bad, but cant help that niggling worry that I'm missing mega problem
x
Sue
|
Tally
|
Sue
This may sound weird but I have seen horses (incl mine !) go unlevel through crookedness. If they are ridden through and straightened they can become sound in a matter of minutes.
This type of lameness looks more like a hop than the horse being sore when putting a foot down - usually shows most in trot.
|
SueH
|
Tally - thanks, I will also raise crookedness with my instructor when she returns off holiday. I have chiropractor coming out to have a look too on Wed.
Well, the vet came and did lameness exam.. and what a shocker!!!
First, please picture the scene: I am ready for the heartbar lecture. I am fully equipped: I have the facts: Jake went sounder after going barefoot, he jumped in June barefoot and for the first time did it willingly (ie. ran at the jump himself with ears pricked ) I have re-read Bowker, Ramey, Rooney and I know the name of every component in the foot. Dont get me wrong, I am not going to argue against and ignore sound veterinary and scientific advice, but neither I am going to blindly accept what I think is coming and that's bloody heartbars.
So, the vet arrives and we do lame exam: its intermittent but mild. He suspects its related to the navicular...I take a deep breath
... and then it comes .
the lecture.......but its not heartbars, its on how barefoot is best for navicular !!! Yup, I was gobsmacked. He says I am doing the right thing totally !
He said navicular is area where traditionally farrier really struggles, and really barefoot is the best thing. The foot needs to develop support structure and it is mechanically ideally suited to do this barefoot. He said he has clients in heartbars who are still lame and its not the answer.
In Jake's case he was v v pleased (laughing while he said it he was so pleased to see he is striding out well extremely well - not pottery as he expected. He thinks its basically due to me working Jake (including loopy lunge session where Jake lost it for a bit) on hard pasture without boots (ground is v hard of late and v hard where we are and I just havent been paying attention - especially annoying considering how much time I have spent studying Bowker..." conformable surface" spring to mind?? ) Its just too hard for Jake's under-developed foot support structure which is improving but still not brill. He said these thorough- breds start from such a disadvantage with tiny structures, it will take time. He suspects he will come right when crap weather comes and ground gets softer. The other explanation is that he's pulled something jumping about - but vet suspects its more likely to be navic.
Vet he often sees little bit of lameness with nav horses june when ground hard - even if they have heartbars or other shoes - but this year with dry weather the ground is hard later on in the year, so its happening later.
His advice: continue with barefoot, keep boots on unless v soft surface, keep him moving but take it easy, Now where did I hear that before ?
Sarah B, does your voice echo?
x
Sue
|
Jane
|
Magic's last PN event of the season. Dressage was v v naughty in warm up waving his front legs at everyone and showing people his belly, tsk. Settled eventually for 39.5.
SJ,warmed up perfect, then went in and had to rely on numpty mother for steering.... all went well til the hook of my pelham got caught on his noseband, pulling the rein out of my hand in a double he gets full marks for staying on his line. Somehow manage to complete but get one down in the process. Steering very dodgy when via noseband!
XC- absolutely fantastic. Much beefier course then the spring, loads of technical stuff and an event he hasn't done a PN at before. He stormed it! The going was perfect and so was he!
He now gets a well deserved few quiet weeks!!
|
brucea
|
Just back from a few weeks in Calgary so intreresting to see how things had changed in my absence.
Grass has put on a final autumn spurt here in the North and it looks green - but the darker green of the autumn growth rather than the bright spring green. I have to watch Link over the next month as the grass toughens and dies back since he tends to get mouth ulcers and abraded gums (maybe he won't this year since his diet has been completely changed for a year).
My other two are doing great. Bramble is continuing to improve all the time and is going about 5 miles each weekend in his gig and trotting hapilly down the road behind the "big horses" when we hack out (it's tough to keep up with a 16.3 horse when you are only 11.2!! ) - feet looking and performing brilliantly. Happy pony.
Link hacking out barefoot much of the time now except when we go to the woods where we are often out for 6 hours at a time and the tracks are rough - then we use the boots. The twisted back foot is continuing to change it's shape - Anni did a trim whilst I was away and it's now at the stage where it's looking almost "normal" unless you look hard - I'd love to get that leg and foot x-rayed.
October 1st is our first anniversary of being barefoot with Link, and on the whole it's been an entirely positive experience with a really happy horse at the end of it. We've learned a great deal - both of us.
|
|
|
