Little QH went XC schooling today. 1st time over xc in her life so we stuck to 2ft and under, but went a bit mad with the variety and included water, ditches, steps and spreads.
Many fences had road planings for take off and landing which a few shod horses' owners moaned at. LQH didn't blink an eye and jumped like a seasoned professional.
Oh and these were the feet that the vet declared incurably flat and definitely needing shoes
PS 18 months ago she was a failed in hand western horse with really bad feet
Just an update to say we seem to be growing a big lumpy back of frog on both fronts of late. Frogs have never been amazing but that may be changing ? _________________ www.petportraitsbybonnie.blogspot.com
Thanks cptrayes - I think they must have been too small as they don't look out of place now.
Angel's feet are hideous she's got big holes where we should have white line and her walls have all flared out on the quarters. Her frogs are huge but seem to be shedding. The soles are all cheesy and crumbly and there are no bars to speak of. The heels are under-running as well. Oh well, things can only get better
When I've figured out how to get my photos off the camera and on to here then I'll post them up so I can get some advice about what to do with them. At the moment I'm just taking her for short walks round the block and back but there is a good mix of terrain - hard tracks, tarmac, sand & grass.
Clay sound in walk (heel first ) on hard surfaces, sound in walk trot on soft surfaces (beautiful trot). yet to test trot on hard surface. Currently up to about 20mins in hand per day unbooted, [now his sole sensitivity has been addressed by diet]. Ponying out with his chum Jake is next job. Trial hack for 15 mins in boots (I'm tiny 6.5 stone and he's 16'2 so not much to carry ) : terribly worried whilst tacking up but lots of reassurance, and he relaxed - this guy has lots of bad memories. Has been ridden in flash/dropped noseband before, appears to enjoy freedom of halter. Seems to relax even more when I mount up.
Hated the trailer (owner said he'd reared up and knocked head in one so refuses to load in trailer. He bolted off twice first time I showed him mine). Seems to really worry about what's going to happen when he sees saddle, trailer, halter etc. and his only (albeit todate very effective ) defence has been to stiffen like an ironing board, use his shoulder and bolt off. Seems genuinely suprised at release of pressure as part of our communication (he almost fell over when I first started rope twirling: I released on a try and he seemed to expect me to keep pulling and pulling). Now he's getting a bit of faith in release we are starting to have a converstation. Very food orientated : After 3 short sessions, confidently strode up to trailer and planted both feet inside for bit of grub. He's not in yet but he'll get there.
Clay's left fore - his transition from 'Pingu' to horse
EDITED TO ADD on arrival shod
Click to see full size image
july 09 (about 3 weeks after de-shoeing)
Click to see full size image
sept 09 - notch cut by vet following abscess
Click to see full size image
oct 09 trim #2
Click to see full size image
3 angle changes visible : lowest Pingu-stylee is from winter conditioning feed (loadsa grain to keep weight on) ; mid section is I think when he comes off grain and goes onto poor grazing; highest band is his new diet with me. _________________ X
SueH with Jake and Clay
Last edited by SueH on Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:59 am; edited 3 times in total
Well done everyone, and particularly Sue and Clay!
Quote:
refuses to load in trailer. He bolted off twice first time I showed him mine
You'll get there - the first time Jacko saw the trailer the same thing happened, and it took a few weeks to get him within 10 feet of the trailer, but he now self loads and is a great traveller. Come to thnk of it, Jacko used to bolt even if you tried to lead him in or out from the field
Thanks guys I'm even more pleased with Clay as last night I trotted him up on some smooth tarmac as test and LOVELY & SOUND
(very nice paces indeed )
Diet is the key but Sarah also advised wisely to let him alone in the beginning as his feet were so compromised. So for first two months he just plodded round the paddock (and settled into his new home and herd member Jake) and improved on his own.
Now he's ready for exercise and my job is clear:- get him moving in his comfort zone.
Already Clay is moves very well and happily on smooth tarmac without boots AND I am making mental note NOT get too addicted to booted work. It was remarkable how Jake zoomed up in performance after working more out of boots. I have promised myself to keep monitoring Clay's comfort zone so I dont end up over using them. I am tempted to ride out unbooted but carry them and just slip them on if I find he's struggling. _________________ X
SueH with Jake and Clay
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she's got big holes where we should have white line and her walls have all flared out on the quarters. Her frogs are huge but seem to be shedding. The soles are all cheesy and crumbly and there are no bars to speak of. The heels are under-running as well. 
Oh well, things can only get better 
to keep weight on) ; mid section is I think when he comes off grain and goes onto poor grazing; highest band is his new diet with me.
)