Post by bicky on Apr 24, 2012 14:52:19 GMT 1
Hi all, remember my baby Teddy 2 Shoes? Not so much of a baby now! 
He suffered from numerous abscesses in all four hooves from a very young age.
In the beginning I just thought it was a one off but by the time he was gelded at 6month old, he'd had at least 8 abscesses and the vet found a further 3 in 3 separate feet whilst he was under general anaesthetic. My heart sank and I began to realise something was seriously wrong. I questioned what I was doing wrong and spoke to my horse vet and my farrier on a regular basis. Although they tried to help me, their suggestions were just stabs in the dark. My farrier thought he might have kissing spines, wobblers, side bone...you name it he mentioned it. My vet said he had soft feet and he always would have and suggested introducing biotin once he'd been weaned. I did all that, plus I looked at his diet (forage based) but nothing helped!
I then spoke to Sarah from Forage Plus when Teddy was 17 month old and he'd had over 20 abscesses by then. That phone call saved Teddy's life......literally! Sarah was 99% sure what was wrong with Teddy and advised a diet of vits and minerals to balance his diet. This was an educated guess as I'd not had my forage analysed by this time ( I have now), but with Sarah's experience she was able to recommend what is commonly deficient in most horses with his problem. Overnight his diet changed, my routine changed and I learnt a massive amount. I told myself that I've give Teddy 6 months with me doing all I could to help him.
We are now nearly 6 months down the line and the difference is simply outstanding! He's not had another abscess (touch wood) and his coat is so shiny and silky...I reckon when it's time to back him his saddle will slip off. ;D He's the picture of health and so calm and sensible..... long may that last!
Here he is...growing like a mushroom! He'll be 2 in July!
He was 7 week old here!
14 month at his 2nd show!
And two from this week!
Any guesses how big he is now or what he'll end up being?
He suffered from numerous abscesses in all four hooves from a very young age.
In the beginning I just thought it was a one off but by the time he was gelded at 6month old, he'd had at least 8 abscesses and the vet found a further 3 in 3 separate feet whilst he was under general anaesthetic. My heart sank and I began to realise something was seriously wrong. I questioned what I was doing wrong and spoke to my horse vet and my farrier on a regular basis. Although they tried to help me, their suggestions were just stabs in the dark. My farrier thought he might have kissing spines, wobblers, side bone...you name it he mentioned it. My vet said he had soft feet and he always would have and suggested introducing biotin once he'd been weaned. I did all that, plus I looked at his diet (forage based) but nothing helped! I then spoke to Sarah from Forage Plus when Teddy was 17 month old and he'd had over 20 abscesses by then. That phone call saved Teddy's life......literally! Sarah was 99% sure what was wrong with Teddy and advised a diet of vits and minerals to balance his diet. This was an educated guess as I'd not had my forage analysed by this time ( I have now), but with Sarah's experience she was able to recommend what is commonly deficient in most horses with his problem. Overnight his diet changed, my routine changed and I learnt a massive amount. I told myself that I've give Teddy 6 months with me doing all I could to help him.
We are now nearly 6 months down the line and the difference is simply outstanding! He's not had another abscess (touch wood) and his coat is so shiny and silky...I reckon when it's time to back him his saddle will slip off. ;D He's the picture of health and so calm and sensible..... long may that last!
Here he is...growing like a mushroom! He'll be 2 in July!
He was 7 week old here!
14 month at his 2nd show!
And two from this week!
Any guesses how big he is now or what he'll end up being?
