|
Post by Yann on Jun 2, 2009 22:26:28 GMT 1
Sorry, the 6 weeks was someone else! Even though the feet are too tall in the winter shots the feet are less flared in the toe than in the more recent ones, which does suggest grass induced LGL, especially if she's still crippled on anything other than easy surfaces after 6 months. Does she have her grazing restricted at all? Is it fertilised? Cutting it back may help, but unless you can cut it out completely there's no guarantee it will be enough to make a difference.
|
|
|
Post by DebbieR on Jun 2, 2009 22:29:02 GMT 1
Some great advice on this thread & I don't have anything to add.
Just wanted to say welcome back & good luck with the barefoot journey. I took Duchess' shoes off just over a year ago & now she's grown a complete new hoof her feet are much better though still improving. Hope Laura's Old Macs fit Rio as I've definitely found it easier having G2s for Duchess' fronts.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 2, 2009 22:33:37 GMT 1
Yann her grazing isn't fab, sandy soil and more clover than grass, I have halved her paddock the only way I can minimise grass would be to muzzle her or coral her in her field overnight maybe? its not beed fertilized everyone is on 24/7 turnout and Rio goes a bit mental if away from her herd for too long even though we each have our own paddock!
|
|
|
Post by Yann on Jun 2, 2009 22:37:54 GMT 1
If you're not on lush cow pasture that should help a bit Isn't it frustrating how the most fabulous horses can be stood on the worst feet
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Jun 2, 2009 23:15:19 GMT 1
Hi welcome back, and well done so far for sticking with it. The flare is the issue once that is addressed little and often you will see a far improved foot come through. Clover is very rich and honest I would muzzle so she can have sanaity turn out but restricted grass. The problem is unshod feet tell you very quick if a problem and a little iffy can be sign of LGL.. I used to ignore Richard and his LGL shouts but honest he was right.. when in if at all give soaked hay.. The solemates are a 100% boon to getting foot improved you can even turnout in them if you put lots if gaffa tape on and then she is helping her feet all the time. Take off for a while.. put onto the sun or in the oven or microwave or in hot water and they will reform back to shape they were to use again.. I have hacked out in the, for about an hour! so you can do this.. and it will aid her.. Footy will not allow her to put her feet down correctly to aid her recovery. Solemates will help. Circulation is a great healer. PLus even add some arnica to tablets to her once twice a day to help as well. Do not touch push into a smal slice of apple.. It will come.. honest.. and time is the best healer of all. Her feet in shoes were not good.. and I feel you farrier did her no favours.. but that is behind you now.. save for some boots bit by bit and look out on ebay as well..
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 2, 2009 23:25:33 GMT 1
thank you EVERYONE!! (Esp Laura for your kind offer!) I will look at getting her a muzzle (oh dear she will hate me!) and get to grips with the solemates too sure the OH has a roll of gaffa tape that I can pinch, what tool is best for cutting them though?? I Only had a farrier to her once, when she threw 2 shoes when we were initially on working livery (lasted 2 weeks that did!) After him I wanted out! and something better. I was warned it would be tough, and they wern't kidding. Previously I was not at all bothered about having to give her time off, but since our EE lesten reignited my enthusiasm I'm now worried about having to take her off work again! but if needs must... we shall see how it all goes Thanks again
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Jun 2, 2009 23:42:43 GMT 1
I use a sharp small veg knife to cut out pads.. I have done a fair few over the years,,and take care.. I do it on breadboard. You will go though loads of tape.. that I warn you.. if ypu PM me tomorrow I will try and talk you though way to tape on that works.. easy to show I add..
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 3, 2009 11:31:38 GMT 1
Thanks susan that would be appreciated. Off work poorly today will see if I feel up to fighting with madam a bit later not sure I can actually make her stand still for 3 minutes!
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Jun 3, 2009 13:00:14 GMT 1
Why not try working with a clicker to allow you her foot, but ensure she is standing balanced before you pick up her foot. ( sorry if sounds like teaching you to suck eggs.) often we simply go up and ask for a foot and dont give them a chance. Try lifing only a little way, click treat and put foot down before she snatches it.. so she learns it is ok and she is good girl by not snatching. Often feet are lifted too high or in a way that is uncomfortable for them.. and we dont realise it.. then they snatch it back. The behaviour then becomes we take foot they snatch it back. If you work on this little by little over time you wil get there I feel. The clicker is very helpful in times like this. You do not have to treat instantly but you do need to click instantly so a friend to help would be useful. Or simply lift leg with one hand, and as soon as you have it no snatch click.. then put down nicely. if feet are allowed to drop onto the ground it also isnt nice for them. I apologise if you do all of this, already.. but it might be helpful to you or someone else reading. I also have made some slippers.. you could use with solemates popped inside to hand walk in.. I have pics see below but they are like the canvas poultice boots.. and I velcro in place around pastern to keep in place.. I have used so many ideas over the years to help.I sewed these myself and used an old handbag for the leather base. then plastered gaffa tape as well on to help them wear ok. I still have them 4 years later. I have also made these for a number of DAEP's for clients that were struggling. There are lots of ways to help..
|
|
|
Post by barbararob on Jun 3, 2009 13:35:34 GMT 1
Yes agree with Susan - you need to get past the reluctance to have her feet handled, it will make things move along better. Is she uncomfortable on 3 legs. Positive attitude when you ask for a foot helps, don't brace and try to force it - make it a game without even thinking of the trimming aspect, just ask and if she gives, lot's of fuss and leave it at that. I felt a pillock the other day, we 've got one with problem feet. I went with the attitude that I must at least look at her feet - she firmly planted them (even our trimmer couldn't get them last time). My 17 year old daughter (used to be horsey but grown out of it) walked up to the mare and picked up each foot as sweetly as if it happened everyday.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 3, 2009 14:45:34 GMT 1
See for me 95% of the time she is a sweetheart about picking up her feet and I can stretch her legs in all sorts of ways, but for my DAEP and for my back lady she turns into the demon horse, and when in a mood she has an evil cow kick I WILL play with the sole mates tonight hopefully, will raid the wardrobe and see if I can be as creative as you susan those boties look fab! I rode very briefly today, she was moving freely in her field in all gaits so thought we'd have a gentle ride. Walk was no issue but trot I could hear her going ooch ouch with each stride so ride ended early, and we had a good ol grooming sessing and foot play sessing and as usual for me she was good as gold with her tootsies. Is there any suppliment I can give her to relieve the pain she is in? I feel like a bad mum again
|
|
|
Post by Yann on Jun 3, 2009 16:14:20 GMT 1
Nothing other than bute, and that could risk her doing herself a mischief if she does more than she can cope with because of it. This is why you need boots and pads, until she's comfortable she won't load her feet correctly and you won't make any progress. I'm all for getting back on board as soon as possible but I wouldn't personally try riding her if she's as bad as she sounds at the moment.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 3, 2009 16:17:46 GMT 1
a month ago I would hav said no bother at all thats me out of riding for another x days... but now, now its all working soo well!! gutted totally gutted its more annoying I suppose that she is hooning round the field like a total plank! beautiful elevated trot, and hell for leather gallop and all sound to the eye. I get me on board (and before its questioned I'm 10.5 stone) and we limp in trot
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 3, 2009 16:26:06 GMT 1
Re bute. I wonder if you have a chat with your vet and give a dose before her trim?? I expect she may associate the trimmer and back lady with discomfort. Also it may be worth her standing on some thick padding for trimming or removing and replacing the pads after each foot has been trimmed. Just to see if these things help her to co operate. Also I haven't read all the thread (smack wrists) but thrush is something that comes to mind as well... are her central sulcus (in her frog) deep? Is her frog tender when you press it?? It may be worth doing a daily spray with diluted milton or applying an anti thrush cream from the chemist for a couple of weeks and see if that helps too. Sincere apologies if this has been mentioned already. As has been mentioned diet is the number one thing to improve/get right and usually as Yann etc. have said this means reducing grass intake. Off to read the thread properly now. Mta... Geeup has already mentioned thrush! I would ask your trimmer for a clear explanation of the condition of the feet and what YOU need to do to help improve them. As has been said the success/failure of a horses ability to improve their feet is often (not always of course) dependent on the owner following instructions religiously... so most of the work falls on you. I've just deleted a load of waffle because i think you've enough to think about atm. Have a real good chat with your DAEP and a ((((hug)))) from me.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 3, 2009 16:38:58 GMT 1
Mandal thank you, you have my thinking on an utterly different idea and wondering if matting our hardstanding for trims may be benefitial to her. I had considdered trying naf instant magic as a calmer pre trim, there are a variety of factors to her being a trollop being trimmed. RE trush we were told yesterday we've won that battle
|
|