Landcruiser
Well-Known Member
My boy has struggled with his feet for the 5 years I've had him. (VERY) long story short, he's always been barefoot, came to me with overgrown under run feet, and a succession of professionals failed to make much improvement. Some metabolic issues, a wonky LF fetlock, and ongoing difficulties had him in 3 sets of eyewateringly expensive Imprint shoes last winter, then metals in front after that. The metals were put on by remedial farrier who also did the Imprints, but he wasn't particularly happy to do it, as the horse has joint issues and the percussion from the shoes, and lack of hoof movement would both be detrimental to him.
Well, I couldn't afford the Imprints, so off we went in metals and a non remedial farrier. 3 cycles later, he was lame and footy again. his toes had been horrendously dubbed back, his heels were under run, and his frogs had fallen off.
SO, yesterday his fronts came off, my new and very highly recommended barefoot trimmer said to walk him out for 20 minutes a day in his Old Macs (fronts). So off we went today, and he was so happy to be out (turned away since last August). He surprised me by positively skipping down the road with his ears pricked, tracking up quite happily.
Until, that is, only 5 minutes into our walk, a large lorry came tearing round the bend behind us, pulled round us but way too fast, and my lad panicked, spun, narrowly avoided going in the 4 ft ditch right next to the road, narrowly avoided the front of the lorry, and slipped down behind - went sprawling really. Only when he went down did the lorry actually stop and the driver look surprised.
Anyway, we got away with a slightly scraped fetlock (small amount of blood) but nothing else visible. No lameness, no heat - but he'll be stiff later I bet, because he really twisted - hinds went right out one side, fronts stayed in front. What a blinkin' great start, huh?
