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Post by Roz on Oct 20, 2011 21:48:10 GMT 1
Andy did David look at your horse, or did you have Gemma. David was fab for my WB, however Rob was not and went for the easiest diagnosis, which was completely wrong.
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Post by andyt on Oct 21, 2011 12:29:58 GMT 1
It was Tim and Gemma. Both of whom are lovely and very good.
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kathryn
Elementary Poster
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Post by kathryn on Oct 21, 2011 12:54:20 GMT 1
hi Andy just wanted to give you some hope with the barefoot thing. Our elderly horse is 18 and has bad arthritis. We too noticed it very suddenly a year ago. Everytime I asked him to canter he would feel very awkward like he was with his front legs but couldn't coordinate the back legs. He has just had a hyluronic and cortisone injection which has helped but not to the extent our vet would have liked- but the biggest improvement was when we had his shoes removed. It was the best thing we have done for him and wish we did it sooner. he seems so much more comfortable and of course trying to have him shod was really uncomfortable for him and he couldn't hold his hind legs up for long for the farrier. so now he is completely unshod, and has keretex on his hooved every other day along with a joint supplement. And what is really amazing is that when he was shod he had flat feet, stumbled lots, and always had brittle hooves, now our farrier is saying his feet are the best they have ever been, and he is coping really well. Good luck with your lovely mare.
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Post by andyt on Oct 21, 2011 17:54:13 GMT 1
Thanks for that Kathryn! Just rode her out barefoot for the first time tonight, with her shiny new boots, and she went well with lots of contented sighing, so obviously was releasing tension and relaxing. My wife was riding out behind and noticed that she is no longer crossing her right leg infront of her left so hopefully a combination of catching the problem early, vet's treatment, and removing the shoes will give her the best chance!
Happy bear, happy owner! - I'll keep you all posted, as I know the barefoot transition may not be all plain sailing, and hopefully it can give some support and ideas to anyone else transitioning to barefoot, particularly with a large horse.
;D
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Post by Zuzan on Oct 21, 2011 19:29:36 GMT 1
Andy no experience myself but many are finding that barefootedness is helpful in all kinds of lamenesses.. There's an excellent blog rockleyfarm.blogspot.com/ about the rehab and managment of barefoot (sport) horses.. also there's a very pertinent thread here uknhcp.myfastforum.org/about3367.html re the treatment of arthritis and barefoot. All the best
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Ann NF
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by Ann NF on Oct 21, 2011 23:24:10 GMT 1
She is lucky to have such a caring home. Good luck with her treatment.
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Post by andyt on Dec 20, 2011 20:50:29 GMT 1
Quick update! - Tully is progressing really well barefoot and seesm to have taken to it like a duck to water. She has recently been brought back into work after the arthritis issues and is doing well. Out and about hacking she has been fine and really enjoying herself but iitially she seemed to have some mental hangup about the school as that is where all the assessments and hence pain, of her condition happened. Did a few sessions of just in hand walking and a bit of play off the lead rope which she seemed to enjoy, but a lot of the time her ears were back as if she was expecting things to hurt. On rides out she was fine with ears up but last week I finally got her to relax a bit more in the school. Monday of this week we went to Jenny Rolfe's yard and did some loose schooling and ridden work and Tully seemed to really enjoy it! She visibly relaxed and even started showing off some of her, rather extravagant, paces!! Jenny was fantastic with her which really helped. Fingers crossed but Tully seems to be coping really well and having no further issues at present. Barefoot and bitless seems to be working well for her, despite a little bit of her natural laziness (!! ) - more up[dates to follow as we continue to learn together! Her natural talent now needs her numpty of a rider to catch up....again !
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Post by ladyndibs on Dec 20, 2011 20:56:07 GMT 1
Really good news, how are her feet dealing with the extra work?
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Post by andyt on Dec 20, 2011 21:12:30 GMT 1
She had been off work for about 6 weeks or so whilst everything was investigated etc. Then started short hacks out around 3 times week for a while. Her hooves looked lovely and with the hoof boots on her fronts she was coping really well. We managed to break a hoof boot the other week so I took her out a couple of times without and she went really well. Her rear hooves look fantastic - already getting similar to some of the wild horse photos you see - fronts are improving week by week. Still early days and if the weather ever improves she will get out and about even more! Work and diet seem to be the key to barefoot - I am getting great advice and help from Clive and Jill at Blue Moon Equine.
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Post by Zuzan on Dec 20, 2011 21:45:01 GMT 1
Very glad to hear Tully's doing well.. sounds like her hoof balance wasn't too hot when shod. I reckon Neets needs a good 8 + miles a week on roads to self trim.. but as their non conforming surface it only really works on the heels and toes.. even if I throw in lateral work
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Post by BJMM on Dec 21, 2011 2:22:44 GMT 1
Andy, what kind of boots are you using? Is that Tully in your avatar? If it is, she's gorgeous! My horses are barefoot too. Blaze (cob) had her shoes off 3 years ago in April, Jasmine (TB) aged 5 has never had shoes. Both 100% on all surfaces. Good luck in your continuing barefoot and bitless journey. xx
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indigo
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Post by indigo on Dec 21, 2011 13:31:06 GMT 1
Great news Andy, so glad she's doing well, and remember not be to hard on your "numpty riding" lol. I'm sure Tully is far better off with you, she would have probably been chucked on the rubbish heap by a "top" rider!
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Post by andyt on Dec 21, 2011 18:01:45 GMT 1
Andy, what kind of boots are you using? Is that Tully in your avatar? If it is, she's gorgeous! My horses are barefoot too. Blaze (cob) had her shoes off 3 years ago in April, Jasmine (TB) aged 5 has never had shoes. Both 100% on all surfaces. Good luck in your continuing barefoot and bitless journey. xx Thankyou...and yes Tully is the young lady in the avatar! I'm using Easyboot Epics, I think!
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Post by andyt on Dec 21, 2011 18:05:44 GMT 1
Great news Andy, so glad she's doing well, and remember not be to hard on your "numpty riding" lol. I'm sure Tully is far better off with you, she would have probably been chucked on the rubbish heap by a "top" rider! Cheers indigo...and I'm sure you are right about Tully if she had been in some other hands. Animals come to us for life - no matter what happens along the way!
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Post by nich on Dec 23, 2011 12:38:28 GMT 1
great stuff! I have said on here a hundred times I am sure that Autumn had several years of remission in her arthritis after going barefoot. Do use pads in boots, and if/when the arthritis flares up, turmeric is fab - thanks to Yann for this recommendation, saes a fortune on Buteless and is actually much more effective!
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