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SARAHSALLYRUBY

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Hi all

Further to my recent post re Rubys lameness, i have been told by the vet that i have three options

1. Bute her up and ride her until she is really lame and then PTS
2. Leave her as a field ornament - she is only 6
3. PTS now and claim loss of use

I feel i have one other option - Rockley Farm

I would be very interested to hear all stories, whether they are good or bad.
I am looking at send Ruby in February time

Thank you
 
Didn't want to read and not reply, looked back at your previous post you have had a bad run:( Rockley has a great reputation, although I have no direct experience, I think Nic will encourage you to make contact and ask for her opinion on whether they can help with your horse.

Good luck I hope you get the response you want and that they can help your horse.
 
Can you remind us what the basic issues are?


I see she was operated on for hind PSD and rested for front collateral ligaments.

If the hind PSD is resolved, there is a high chance that the collateral ligaments (which don't fix well with rest) can be resolved with a rehab at Rockley.

I have just managed to get a horse sound who has been lame 4 years with probable collateral ligament strains even after a year in the paddock. The clue to these horses is often the right kind of work.
 
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Which farrier are you using? I looked into sending Gerry to Rockley for his suspensory problems but sadly my insurance wouldn't cover it.

I use Sean and he is very, very good with barefoot horses. He made more difference to Gerry with a good barefoot trim than remedial shoeing from other farriers ever had. If you've got the time to put the work in barefoot rehab is something you can do at home yourself with a good farrier supporting you.

It may or may not solve Ruby's lameness but its well worth trying.
 
I nearly sent mine, went up and visited,decided to try on my own in end due to costs. The horses all seem happy and Nic seems like a lovely lady. I'd probably give it a go if was mine, doesn't sound like you've got much to lose. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Phone and speak to them (Nic), she'll only take the horse on if she thinks she can help it. Then you'll have your answer. Good luck.
 
Hi

Thank you for all your comments

Much appreciated

be positive/s bloom/andalusian - thank you, im trying to be positive, soo hard after 2 years then the vets says to PTS

I have contacted Nic at Rockley and she has given me some good advise, Nic is also going to put me in touch with owners who have had similar issues to Ruby. I would love to speak to them.... so fingers crossed they get in touch.

I will try and get over there on a weekend off and have a look around

ChristmasPTrees - basic issues are lateral collateral ligament damage in both front legs and bilateral hind suspensory damage - the hinds have been operated on and box rest was done for the fronts.

I feel the hind issues are resolved

I was advised 6 months box rest by Sue Dyson, to help the front limbs

wellsat -
Im using my trusted farrier who is happy to support me in barefoot, i just feel i cannot do all the work on different surfaces etc.

My insurance has ran out too so i will be funding it.

How would i go about starting the rehab at home - Ruby had her shoes removed approx 5 weeks ago.

ALO - Did you let the people and the set up at Rockley?

How did your own rehab go and what sort of things did you do?


Just back from the yard this morning, had a cry to Ruby whilst telling her i wouldnt see her for 3 months..its going to be soo hard.


x
 
I don't know the history but yes I agree rockley is worth a shot.
or retire on minimal bute and pts when no longer happy.

I would not be comfortable buteing up and riding. (obviously a bit of bute is "ok" but no pumping horse full of it.
 
I did like the set up, the horses seemed very chilled and happy.I only met Nic but she seemed nice and knowledgeable. Mine also had hindlimb issues (spavin and a previous stifle injury) which appear to have resolved. Shoes came off in may, we did lots and lots of walking, in hand and then ridden. His foot shape and quality have improved massively. It has been quite a learning curve and we have had a few problems along the way but I feel he's steadily improving and was sound and started trotting a couple of weeks ago. He's now on box rest due to a hoof abcess though!!im hoping it'll clear soon.
I haven't completely ruled out rockley as on option, I said if i couldn't manage then I would reconsider sending him. It's definatly worth speaking to Nic. Good luck, I know what you're going through :(
 
One thing in your last post made me shudder. You're dealing with two sets of bilateral lameness, fronts and hinds, both pairs exhibiting the same problems??

If I've got that right, just step out of the emotional zone for a moment and think about how such a thing happens, in both feet??

I've never seen photos of your horse's feet, but from my experience in remedial feet over the last decade, these "pairs" of problems occur due to poor foot care, either long term shoeing alone can cause it, but for this the problems usually occur 10+ years old (i.e. navicular). The other thing that could do it is poor balance.

Has your trusted farrier been the only person looking after these feet in all this time? If yes, then its time to question his work for the sake of yourself and your horse.

I go back to my simplest advice, get a second opinion, from another foot expert, be that a farrier, or a barefoot person, just get the best recommended one you can and pay for their candid opinion on them and their prognosis for improvement.

Please don't take offence, I'm being honest with you, as I wish someone had been with me many years ago.
 
My horse is at Rockley at the moment. Nic will say if she thinks she can help, I contacted her about a horse before and she said she wouldn't be able to help so I totally trust her. She will tell it exactly as it is and will only do what's best for the horse.

I was anxious about sending Buddy away for so long but I visited and saw that the horses were well cared for and they've all progressed. It's been tough but I'm on the final straight now so have 4 weeks and 4 days until he comes home (not that I'm counting ;) )

The Rockley owners are also a great support network, everyone rallies round and Nic is the foundation of that.

If you can afford it then I would do it, you won't regret it.

If you want anymore info please feel free to PM me :)
 
I couldnt agree more with you Andalucian

I changed farriers after my other mare damaged her suspensory ligament. I lost all faith in him when my girl wasnt coming sound in 'remedial' shoes, turns out he hadnt really done anything the vets had asked.
I blame myself for just going along with it and not questioning more.
Any way change of farrier, within weeks my girl was sound, correctly shod and now at 25 is happy, healthy, sound and in full work, shod every 6 weeks to maintain correct balace and alignment.

Unfortunately i has always trusted this farrier to trim my young girl too. I do feel this has contributed to her problems.
I trust my new farrier completely.
 
There are people on here who have made the transition from shod horses to barefoot at home so I'm sure they can give you some advice.

Rockley might be the answer but if you aren't able to manage similar diet/routine at home what happens after Rockley?
 
Andalucian said:
One thing in your last post made me shudder. You're dealing with two sets of bilateral lameness, fronts and hinds, both pairs exhibiting the same problems??

If I've got that right, just step out of the emotional zone for a moment and think about how such a thing happens, in both feet??

I've never seen photos of your horse's feet, but from my experience in remedial feet over the last decade, these "pairs" of problems occur due to poor foot care, either long term shoeing alone can cause it, but for this the problems usually occur 10+ years old (i.e. navicular). The other thing that could do it is poor balance.

Has your trusted farrier been the only person looking after these feet in all this time? If yes, then its time to question his work for the sake of yourself and your horse.

I go back to my simplest advice, get a second opinion, from another foot expert, be that a farrier, or a barefoot person, just get the best recommended one you can and pay for their candid opinion on them and their prognosis for improvement.

Please don't take offence, I'm being honest with you, as I wish someone had been with me many years ago.
Click to expand...

So are you saying every horse owner who's horse has been diagnosed with navicular should be blaming their farrier?
 
Festive Fairy said:
Rockley might be the answer but if you aren't able to manage similar diet/routine at home what happens after Rockley?
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If Rockley IS the answer then why would you not move heaven and earth to recreate what Rockley can do when you get your sound horse home (it's not rocket science!) rather than shoot or pension off your horse? The diet is simple, the routine is movement and very regular work.

Your last two posts on this thread sound pretty aggressive FF, do you have some issue here?
 
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Festive Fairy said:
So are you saying every horse owner who's horse has been diagnosed with navicular should be blaming their farrier?
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If you take off the shoes and the horse comes sound, what else do you blame but the shoes?


No-one except you has said "every" so can you tone down the attack a bit??
 
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Oh dear why is it that if anyone asks questions about barefoot it's considered an attack :eek:


Christmasptrees........

I'll phrase it another way :) Could the transition not be done at home with help from more experienced people rather than having to send horse away for 2-3 months? Like you said adjustments would have to be made when horse comes home so would it not be possible to do at home from the start?
 
SARAHSALLYRUBY, my horse went to Rockley, he's been home a year next month.

It really is a hard journey to embark on, a real rollercoaster ride but I can vouch for it being massively rewarding too! The Rockley owners, along with Nic, provide much needed support & understanding.

Yes, it may be possible to do at home but, in hindsight, I know I would have made mistakes. I would have panicked at some of the more dramatic changes and believe I would have tried to "help" too much ;-)
My horse developed a pretty big deviation which he continues to have a year later and which any interference with reduces his performance.

Please feel free to pm if you want to know anymore :-)
 
Festive Fairy said:
O
I'll phrase it another way :) Could the transition not be done at home with help from more experienced people rather than having to send horse away for 2-3 months? Like you said adjustments would have to be made when horse comes home so would it not be possible to do at home from the start?
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Mine went to Rockley and I don't think I could have done it at home for the following reasons.

1) I was totally inexperienced with barefoot horses, had no experienced people around me and was surrounded by farriers and vets who believed that ' Tbs can't go barefoot'.
2) There were issues around the the grazing and environment at home which would in the early stages have probably led to me giving up. Once I knew he could manage in an optimal environment (Rockley), I had the confidence to fix these issues at home.
3) He went to Rockley in Feb 2010. I worked full time and in winter would not have been able to do stimulating work during the week only on Saturdays and Sundays. Once I got a horse home in work I was able to get a sharer to hack him twice a week during the week to keep him ticking over.
4) The tracks and environment at Rockley were especially helpful in the very early stages, at home he would have been on a muddy field or ridden in the school most of the time. The fact that the grazing seems to be very horse friendly helps too.
5) At that time rehab livery at Rockley cost about the same as part livery in Herts.

Now having had one and working freelance which gives me some flexibility with hours I would do it at home.

It's a bit like breaking or schooling a young horse, some people will send them away to professionals, some people will do it at home with help and support on hand, some will have a go on their own. Sometimes the latter works out OK, often there are problems.
 
Tiffany said:
Oh dear why is it that if anyone asks questions about barefoot it's considered an attack :eek:
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It isn't. Questions phrased reasonably are always answered reasonably. I spend a lot of my time answering people's questions about barefoot.

Christmasptrees........

I'll phrase it another way :) Could the transition not be done at home with help from more experienced people rather than having to send horse away for 2-3 months? Like you said adjustments would have to be made when horse comes home so would it not be possible to do at home from the start?
Click to expand...

But Festive Fairy didn't say that, did she? She said

So are you saying every horse owner who's horse has been diagnosed with navicular should be blaming their farrier?
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which in the context of the post she was responding to was impossible for me to read as anything but an attack.

If Festive Fairy had written what you wrote instead, then there would have been no problem. Thankyou for translating for her but your translation is not actually either of the "questions" that she posed.
 
criso said:
Once I knew he could manage in an optimal environment (Rockley), I had the confidence to fix these issues at home.
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I second this! Once you are confident they are capable of something, you stop asking 'if' and instead ask 'how' you can achieve it at home :)
 
Tiffany said:
I'll phrase it another way :) Could the transition not be done at home with help from more experienced people rather than having to send horse away for 2-3 months? Like you said adjustments would have to be made when horse comes home so would it not be possible to do at home from the start?
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It is perfectly possible to do it all at home. Nic will be the first to admit that there's no magic or voodoo going on at Rockley :D.

I know and have helped support a few people via HHO through rehabing their horse. I can tell you that the emotional toll and worry is huge on an owner going it alone.

"The pilot has passed out - please could you land the plane for us?" :eek: :D

Most have little or no support from their vet or farrier and even those that do, will quickly find the knowledge and experience regarding barefoot very limited when they hit upon a problem :rolleyes:.

I can only do so much over the internet and sometimes I scratch my head over what is going on while the horse throws a spanner in the works.....

Biggest problem I find is getting enough stimulation to the frog - that tends to hold horses back. Progress can be slow without those great pea gravel tracks to move things along.

With Rockley you send your sick hooved horse there, Nic does all the hard work and worrying for you....and then you pick up a healthier hooved horse a couple of months later with a list of whats and whats not to do and a plan for the future.

If Rockley is a possibility - then I would say it's the easiest and most efficient option. If Rockley isn't a possibility, then I will always try my best to help out online (even though I often wish I'd kept my mouth shut :p).
 
The big issue with doing a rehab at home, as I have now done twice, is that in order to stimulate the back of the foot, unsound horses need work. At Rockley, that is done initiallly with group turnout onto a circular track system where the horses walk themselves around and around all day on various surfaces of different levels of challenge. While their feet are still weak, they can choose less difficult surfaces.

At home, that work mostly has to be done on roads with a handler or rider, which takes a lot of time and energy. In a livery yard it's even worse, with people looking over your shoulder questionning why you are working a horse that is not sound, even if all you are doing is walking it like a dog. Some people in some yards even sit there talking behind your back waiting for you to fail.

My second rehab has been a huge lesson to me. He had not worked for a year. He had been barefoot in a field with other horses. And yet when he came to me he was still unsound. It took many miles, but only a couple of months, for him to come sound with work, and he has, touch wood, stayed that way now for many weeks. Work, lame or not, was essential to cure him.

That's a judgement call that a lot of owners would find incredibly difficult to make on their own. For people in that situation, Rockley is a saviour. What we need is a string of rehab yards around the country the same. I'm quite surprised that no-one has yet set one up in the north or the south west, but live in hope.
 
cptrayes said:
It isn't. Questions phrased reasonably are always answered reasonably. I spend a lot of my time answering people's questions about barefoot.



But Festive Fairy didn't say that, did she? She said



which in the context of the post she was responding to was impossible for me to read as anything but an attack.

If Festive Fairy had written what you wrote instead, then there would have been no problem. Thankyou for translating for her but your translation is not actually either of the "questions" that she posed.
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I am Festive Fairy and this is what I said in first post.........

There are people on here who have made the transition from shod horses to barefoot at home so I'm sure they can give you some advice.

Rockley might be the answer but if you aren't able to manage similar diet/routine at home what happens after Rockley?

I think above is a reasonable question when you consider that if a 'sound' house comes home it is likely to require a different rountine and possibly different surfaces. If that's the case and OP doesn't have own land she'll need cooperation from YO. So my thinking is, speak to someone experienced and spend money making changes at home with help.
 
Andalucian said:
No, but I do say they should be blaming the long term application of shoes.
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Understood - I moved yards a few years ago which meant I changed farrier. My mare went lame the first time he shod her, plus he insisted on toe clips which she'd not had after tweaking a suspensory ligamnent.

He was a registered farrier so I gave him the benefit of the doubt for about 3 more times then called it a day when she got a bulge in her hoof wall and he wouldn't shoe her the way she'd always been shod.

It took me months to get her sound and last year she was diagnosed with navicular (not saying that's his fault although, don't think he helped?)

I have a good farrier who works with vet and I'm pleased to say she's doing really well :)
 
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