Link's gone lame in one foot over the last 24 hours - another abscess brewing I think - probably in the same site as the last one. Pointing his toe, big pulse, bit of heat...but the vet couldn't pinpoint where with the hoof testers so wants to leave it for a few days to "brew"
So wet poulticing and tubbing for a few days to try and draw it. He's not the most accommodating patient I've ever met. Been quite muddy and there's been some new growth in the grass.
I got the anti barefoot vet today...I am always polite, but firm about them being unshod, but it does get your goat sometimes.
On a brighter note - my other little project - a lovely old fashioned cob transitioning to barefoot - is going just great. He's decontracted a whole 15mm in front in the last 6 weeks and seems to be really happy in his paws. Going much more forward than he was, and the toe first action on the right front is simply just gone.
Oh, that's grotty news. Cross fingers and hooves that it clears up quickly.
I am starting to believe that the anti bares can be found wanting in other areas too. Maybe they lack sufficient intellectual curiosity and openess to make them truly good vets?
Today Snips the QH and Pics the busticated Arab did 7.23 miles. Mostly on the road - with 1.34 miles of bridleway. Both are in transition, both started to fade a bit 1/2 mile from home, but are otherwise fine. Front toes on both squaring off, no real wear on the underneaths. Now fretting about getting the toes rolled properly.
Having trouble getting enough grub into the Arab. She is having mega calories with Alfa A oil, cooked linseed and veg oil (no sugar), plus supplements, but is being somewhat hassled by the QH. So having to put them in at night so the Arab can eat in peace and get a bit of rest.
Well - still toiling with Link a bit. He's actually OK at walk and trot but every now and then puts in an "ouch" step and he doesn't like sharp turns to the right.
As the vet instructed, I've been hot tubbing with epsom salts and povidone for the last few days, and keeping a wet poultice on. This morning I could just see a slight cream discolouration on the poultice beneath the remainder of the hole the vet dug the last time and thought it might be puss. Hopefully it will begin to drain. Amazing - 8 years with never an abscess in any of ours and then we have two in four months.
Have the vet coming to Bramble tomorrow to check on his breathing - so will get him to look at Link again. Bramble isn't really impressed about having "big ginger bossy grump" in his paddock, but it's the cleanest place to put him at the moment.
Was hacking Apollo in the woods today and there is quite a bit of fresh new green growth appearing.
Hope you're all OK in the next few days - looks like the weather is going to take quite a turn for the worse.
We have hefty snow. About 6 inches and counting. Seems to work like a charm on tired tootsies though. The girls did 10+ miles over the weekend about 2/3rds roads and other hard surfaces (like road planings) and I thought they may be a bit ouchy or stiff this morning. But not a bit of it. Maybe snow is a comfort pack - at least until it gets too hard and balled up in their feet.
Arab not rideable at the moment - her car injury is playing up - but she joins us on all our rambles and loves every minute. She is actually easier to take for a walk than a dog. She doesn't run off and her heel work is exemplary. Don't believe that all Arabs are wimps, the stuff we did this weekend had me, Sally and the QH worried, but Pics just got on with it.
at least until it gets too hard and balled up in their feet
Although that happened to us in snow when we had shod horses, barefoot horses cope brilliantly with snow. In fact if we get a decent covering here I plan to use the lanes as gallop tracks
The snow just flies out of their hooves and leaves them scrubbed shiny and looking wonderful - its fantastic stuff!
Thank you Nic - that is reassuring I am trying hard to trust the girls judgement on these things - but it is difficult bearing in mind how much trouble Pickles got into when she was little.
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