Week 17 or 4 months in!

[HufflyPuffly]

More Doodle pictures decided to take pics of all her feet so you can see how her hinds are too.

Poorly leg is still looking the most dejected of all her feet I think, her hoof just looks weird and odd to be honest but she is still sound and happy! She is still footsore over the stones which I don't know if it's her cushings, poor foot health, the grass or something else! She's not any worse for being on the grass so I'm hoping just giving her longer and trying to keep on top of any nasty whiffs/ thrush then we should see an improvement eventually...

She's looking and feeling well, and most importantly moving well so happy with progress .

Near side fore (aka poorly foot):

Inside edge

Off-side fore

rubbish angle apologies!

Off-side hind

Near hind

 

[ycbm]

They are doing really well and going to be so much stronger. I would be careful with the grass. Photos can be deceptive, but the off fore appears to have a crescent of old blood around the top of the frog which is usually recognised as being a result of a laminatic episode.

I'm so looking forward to seeing a complete foot grown, they will be unrecognizable!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I had wondered about that colouring, it has been present for a while and she is still sound, should I be doing more if she still seems ok? Will as always be keeping a very close eye on her, but would you reduce grazing time as a precuation?

To be honest I'm loath to keep her in, as one she needs the condition from the grass and two she's awful to keep in as she stresses and just worries the weight off more . I could muzzle her but it's a hard battle with her needing to gain the weight, and we don't have any bare fields (number of horses has halved so we have loads of grazing!).

Obviously I will reduce grass intake if needed, but had been hoping that if she's sound and happy then we are ok?

 

[ycbm]

In theory that blood may be weeks old. Was she sore on it some time ago?

These Cushings horses are so difficult to manage, I do admire you for taking on the challenge. I've had one metabolic challenged horse who couldn't do grass at all and grow decent feet, but if she is comfortable at the moment you're probably doing the best you can do.

Someone else may have more advice.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Hmm yes from memory she did get more footsore around the 6 week mark I think. Also at around this time, when she was first trimmed and then my usual farrier came out and did a little more shaping, she did seem to change her hoof landing but didn't present as lame. However I've not noticed anything concerning since, well except the on-going footsoreness on stones.

I go round in circles trying to decide what should be best for her, but decided after all the box rest and misery of last year I would try and get her out as much as I can whilst trying my best for her feet, it's such a fine line! I figured if her feet are still growing in nicely with exposure to the grass and we've not gone backwards with movement or lameness then we should carry on, but as ever I feel hopelessly out of my depth!