Kali's recovery diary (I hope)

Agree GG - the big question, though, is WHY does he walk on the insides of his feet . . . without shoes on it's really obvious and I'm guessing it must be down to a conformation fault or discomfort somewhere . . . have I just opened up an enormous can of wiggly worms by taking his shoes off?

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Anyone had a chance to look at the pictures? Any feedback/comments? Sorry to nag, but I'm quite anxious about this :(.

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Big day tomorrow - Z on board for the first time since initial lameness - so about three months! She will get on him in the school just to make sure she has a soft surface to land on if he goes ballistic - and then they'll be walking out on the roads around the farm. The added wrinkle is that YO has installed an above-ground pool in her garden - which is just over the "A end" fence of the school - I have been walking him up to have a look at it over the fence to get him used to it, but he's pretty frightened of it - hope Z has a parachute ;).

Will report back. In other news, he's been walking out in hand with his pads on and is sound in the field in all three paces (but that could be down to adrenalin!). His feet are a tad smelly so am treating them for thrush (sigh), but seem to be holding up well without the shoes - no cracks, etc. He's happy enough on the tarmac, but still ouchy on the gravel leading to the walker (so we walk on the grass).

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Good luck tomorrow! I wouldn't worry too much about initial shots as things will change quite quickly, there are obviously improvements to be made :) I would agree that any feet with a central sulcus split should be treated for thrush. I use baby wipes coated in sudocreme to 'floss' the central sulcus and then when that's closing up I use red horse sole paint to keep on top of anything. What's his landing like at the moment?

Just for your own interest (and mine ;) ) I'd take another shot that show his front legs in full as I'd bet all that wonkiness will straighten out over time but don't be worried if you get a dodgy looking foot because of it. Think of it as an orthotic ;)
 
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Leg_end said:
Good luck tomorrow! I wouldn't worry too much about initial shots as things will change quite quickly, there are obviously improvements to be made :) I would agree that any feet with a central sulcus split should be treated for thrush. I use baby wipes coated in sudocreme to 'floss' the central sulcus and then when that's closing up I use red horse sole paint to keep on top of anything. What's his landing like at the moment?

Just for your own interest (and mine ;) ) I'd take another shot that show his front legs in full as I'd bet all that wonkiness will straighten out over time but don't be worried if you get a dodgy looking foot because of it. Think of it as an orthotic ;)
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Re thrush - I've been using Q-Tips with sudocreme. Will look into the red horse sole paint. He is landing heel first on all fours, but more "flat" behind (where he's had shoes off longer).

Great tip on taking shots of his whole leg/stance in front . . . will do that tomorrow.

Am going to get a (vet approved) physio out to him in the next week or so too.

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MrsD123 said:
I'm not sure if diet has been tackled for the thrush and general hoof health: a hi fibre, low sugar diet with added minerals and micronised linseed.
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He gets a high fibre, low sugar diet anyway - has done for the past two years . . . Alfa A Molasses Free, D&H ERS Pellets (barefoot trimmer took a look at the ingredients list), linseed, magnesium oxide and pure MSM (for his joints). In the winter, I add Copra meal and speedibeet . . . his grazing is pretty poor and he gets ad lib hay at night (meadow hay).

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First Jaunt Under Saddle

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204326580063964&l=2432527960318915355

Z's face says it all :).

Bless her, she got on him in the school - he did two circuits good as gold and her exact words were "I'm home . . . this feels wonderful . . . " Made me a bit teary ;). She says he doesn't feel particularly weak either - not as strong and fit as he was, but certainly not as weak and pathetic as she expected.

Onwards and upwards :).

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_GG_ said:
Yay! Love the video...he looks really happy. So so pleased for you!! :) xxx
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Thank you . . . I just loved seeing the smile on both their faces . . . he really was happy to be back under saddle. What made me chuckle was him doing his trademark gawp as he strolled back down the drive . . . he did that when we tried him, he does it EVERY time he hacks and he does it (more often than not) coming down the centre line in a dressage test, LOL!

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In all seriousness - to the barefoot gurus on here . . . what do you think of the way his feet are landing at this stage?

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Looking good at this stage imo. I'm no expert though noticed he seemed a little careful on front feet at times but as I said looks good and he looks settled and keen.
 
amandap said:
Looking good at this stage imo. I'm no expert though noticed he seemed a little careful on front feet at times but as I said looks good and he looks settled and keen.
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Yes, he is a little guarded with his fronts, but he hasn't had the shoes off for long . . . it's a double-edged sword because if he's guarding his feet then he isn't as likely to be a monkey/mess about - but we don't want him to be sore . . . I am going to get my trimmer out to have a look at him on Friday just to see what she thinks . . . and the physio (vet approved) is coming out next week in case there is some soreness or stiffness anywhere else from him guarding his feet.

Picking out his hind feet this morning, I was pleased with how nice and hard they are . . . hopefully that's a good sign for growing decent horn in front (he's been shoe-less behind for about 12 weeks now).

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PolarSkye said:
Thank you :). He was just as good today, but a little guarded with both fronts to start with and then strode out well after the first few steps.

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My mare had nail bind a month or so ago now and she was a little guarded for a week or so afterwards in the first few steps out of the stable. Vet and farrier said that was completely normal for a clever horse to remember the pain.... :) Hope continues to be positive improvements....
 
PS don't worry, he likely will be a bit guarded in front for a bit, patience patience and boot to keep him comfortable as required. Do not over worry about it (been there done that) and physio great plan as he will get a bit stiff from holding himself. Though looking at video he doesn't look too bad at all - bound to feel a bit different to him though and you already have the hinds to know how much can change.

I use the red horse products too - I wonder if the hoof stuff might work well in those sulcuses? (sp?!) sudocreme isn't that antibacterial/fungal - though you can add some canestan/athletes foot - daktarin cream too. If mine I'd prob use the sole cleanse and then shove some hoof stuff in as that has worked for me.

I did have a look at the photos and forgot to comment! (do you/trimmer have the option to do some proper side on and front on slow mo videos they might be quite interesting ;) - proper nosey me ;) - good to hear he is landing heel first already though even though weak behind as will only get better) My main thought was how small his feet look for his size (although F is a bit of a chunk I suppose!) - as those heels decontract they might start to look different. He does have an interesting assortment of feet and a lot of changes to make (not the same in every foot)- and it will definitely be interesting to compare limbs and stance not just feet with him in the long term.
 
almostthere said:
My mare had nail bind a month or so ago now and she was a little guarded for a week or so afterwards in the first few steps out of the stable. Vet and farrier said that was completely normal for a clever horse to remember the pain.... :) Hope continues to be positive improvements....
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Yes, I forget that clever horses (well all horses really) remember pain.

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ester said:
PS don't worry, he likely will be a bit guarded in front for a bit, patience patience and boot to keep him comfortable as required. Do not over worry about it (been there done that) and physio great plan as he will get a bit stiff from holding himself. Though looking at video he doesn't look too bad at all - bound to feel a bit different to him though and you already have the hinds to know how much can change.
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I know I need to be patient . . . not very good at that I'm afraid! As you say, though, we do have the hinds to show how much can change and he was unshod behind for two years with no issues before we slapped shoes back on so we could stud him up for hunting.

I use the red horse products too - I wonder if the hoof stuff might work well in those sulcuses? (sp?!) sudocreme isn't that antibacterial/fungal - though you can add some canestan/athletes foot - daktarin cream too. If mine I'd prob use the sole cleanse and then shove some hoof stuff in as that has worked for me.
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I have actually just ordered some Silvetrasol spray but the canestan is a good idea! Will pick some up on my way to the yard this afternoon :). Thanks!

I did have a look at the photos and forgot to comment! (do you/trimmer have the option to do some proper side on and front on slow mo videos they might be quite interesting ;) - proper nosey me ;) - good to hear he is landing heel first already though even though weak behind as will only get better) My main thought was how small his feet look for his size (although F is a bit of a chunk I suppose!) - as those heels decontract they might start to look different. He does have an interesting assortment of feet and a lot of changes to make (not the same in every foot)- and it will definitely be interesting to compare limbs and stance not just feet with him in the long term.
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Yes, he does have tiny feet for his size and the amount of bone he has . . . which is probably a contributing factor for all that sidebone all over the place ;). And, no, none of his feet match. I will be absolutely fascinated to see how his feet/limbs change over time. I will ask J (trimmer) if she can vid him for me next time. As I said further up the thread, the big worry for me is that he's standing on the inside of his forefeet - that does rather worry me about problems further up that we haven't uncovered (yet) . . . but time will tell.

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Much less footy in front on his walk out today . . . up to nine minutes! Although as Z said, it's a bit sad that it takes longer to boot and tack up than to ride ;).

He is loving being out and about (well, up the drive, LOL) and is behaving beautifully. Long may it last.

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PolarSkye said:
Much less footy in front on his walk out today . . . up to nine minutes! Although as Z said, it's a bit sad that it takes longer to boot and tack up than to ride ;).

He is loving being out and about (well, up the drive, LOL) and is behaving beautifully. Long may it last.

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Ah, that's lovely :) xxx
 
_GG_ said:
Ah, that's lovely :) xxx
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Thank you :). Another ten days or so of walking and then we will introduce a few strides of trot . . . and then after two weeks of that, we get Andrew (vet) back out to reassess and give us the yay or no to progress further and introduce small hills (although leaving the farm to do hills will largely depend on the state of his feet).

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PolarSkye said:
Thank you :). Another ten days or so of walking and then we will introduce a few strides of trot . . . and then after two weeks of that, we get Andrew (vet) back out to reassess and give us the yay or no to progress further and introduce small hills (although leaving the farm to do hills will largely depend on the state of his feet).

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All in the right direction :) xxx
 
PolarSkye said:
Much less footy in front on his walk out today . . . up to nine minutes! Although as Z said, it's a bit sad that it takes longer to boot and tack up than to ride ;).

He is loving being out and about (well, up the drive, LOL) and is behaving beautifully. Long may it last.

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Fab, he is a lovely horse too. :)

That drive looks posh I feel like a Hillbilly! ;)
 
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amandap said:
Fab, he is a lovely horse too. :)

That drive looks posh I feel like a Hillbilly! ;)
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Aw, thank you . . . he can scrub up quite well ;).

We love our yard - it's a private family compound (at least six homes spread out over the property) and is beautifully maintained . . . just two liveries and the two BSJA ponies stabled, another seven or so horses/ponies who live out year round. It's a little slice of heaven. That's the "internal" drive that connects the big house, the two bungalows and the two converted barns . . . the back drive is stunning/lined with Wellingtonia Pines and the front drive (which only the family use) is very posh indeed. The family are so down to earth though . . . real salt of the earth/give you the shirt off their back types.

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Barefoot trimmer out again today (I wanted reassurance that things were moving in the right direction . . . or not . . . ) and she is pleased with how things are progressing (as pleased as she can be given that she saw him for the first time two weeks ago!) . . . his feet ARE growing, his frogs are shedding (which is a good sign), she's happy with how he's landing, his heels already look better (particularly his right fore). She gave him a little tidy up and we agreed she'd see him again in about five weeks.

Doing a teensy tiny happy dance.

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PolarSkye said:
Barefoot trimmer out again today (I wanted reassurance that things were moving in the right direction . . . or not . . . ) and she is pleased with how things are progressing (as pleased as she can be given that she saw him for the first time two weeks ago!) . . . his feet ARE growing, his frogs are shedding (which is a good sign), she's happy with how he's landing, his heels already look better (particularly his right fore). She gave him a little tidy up and we agreed she'd see him again in about five weeks.

Doing a teensy tiny happy dance.

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YAY!!! That is fab chick :)
 
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