Time Is On Your Side

(Great. Now I'll have that blasted song stuck in my head all day... Oh well...)

Beamer. A 14.2 hand package of dynamite, athletic talent, good mindedness, and heart.

He has a good start going on getting healthier feet, and with TIME and conservative trimming, it is my opinion that in six months these solar shots will look wonderful.
They honestly do not look bad now.

This first photo: the biggest thing I was hoping that you would see was the "ridge" of retained sole. In time, this will come out.

What Would We Have Done?
Used our knife, and lowered it a bit. BUT--- We ONLY take what the hoof is willing to give. Period.



Next hoof: Circle indicates where to look for, and WHAT to look for, when you suspect an invasion of pesky bacterium / fungus. ANON is correct- this will (as it did with Turk, BrownEyedCowgirls big Paint gelding,) affect the internal structures, and weaken the rear portion of the hoof. There will be a lack of stability, that will make the horse quite tender.

However, I vary from the treatment used by ANON, in that I don't use ACV. It has it's place, but... most people are so hard pressed for time, in a case like this we'll advise a strong flush/ scrubbing with Betadine (q-tips work great for this to swab things out,) and pack it with a treatment commonly used for mastitis in dairy cattle. (Essentially it is PenG in a tube with a wonderful applicator tip.) Or you can use cotton balls, soaked in PenG, and insert them in there.


Mellimaus, don't let color mess with your head. The color you spotted (nice eye by the way) was a bit of pink in the white line. Always an indicator that you need to ease up and not be quite so aggressive with your rasp work.

Mikey (aka: Wonder Woman), we've talked at length about hooves, and girl, I love hearing your thoughts. Personally? I don't care for that much sole. BUT-- over time, I think that the hoof will set how much sole it needs, and will self-regulate. Again-- we'd only take what the hoof was willing to give.

Kate- You need to give yourself more credit! You've proven in the past that you have a good eye. Trust in your eye and your instincts- it will do you well.

TJ- Sounds like you are getting as obsessed with hooves as I am. Going to turn you into a "sole sister" yet!

Breathe- Nope, Beamer has five legs... we just looked at the fronts this time... And Of Course you can send along pictures of Smokey. In fact, ANY of you who would like to can always feel free to send along images. And they don't even have to go into a blog post if you'd rather avoid that.

Funder- Ahhhh Grasshopper has been observing and learning much I see. The length of his frogs does not bother me (remember- photographs DO alter the way things look. In the flesh, these feet WILL appear entirely different). He is sound, and moves nicely, and side view (top) shows flare in the toe that will work it's way out in time with careful rasping from the top.

ANON- Easy there Rugged. Not being mean here, but this is where we deviate strongly from much more aggressive trimmers. Time is on Beamer's side, and staying a conservative course will have these feet in fantastic shape in short order.

Nice job guys! Y'all get gold stars today! (OK, I'm KIDDING... I don't have any stars. Will chocolate do?)

Another Round of What Do You See?

Today's model is the dashingly handsome BEAMER, the main star of RIDE A GOOD HORSE.

Beamer has been de-shod for several years now, but due to the lack of non-traditional hoof care providers in his area, the handsome fellow has been trying to adapt to barefoot as best he could.
Now however, his Mom, the ever devoted and talented Ms. Shirley, has found a young fellow who is anxious to learn and do RIGHT by the horses under his care. (THAT is refreshing to see, trust me.)

Ms. Shirley graciously offered to use Beamer as a poster child for some education. I'm really looking forward to seeing these feet about six months from now. Her hoof care provider is really a sharp guy, and is honestly trying to learn as much as possible, and make some truly fantastic bare hooves.

So everyone, what do you see?

One Year Ago Today...

August 24. Not a day I am likely to forget anytime soon, even if the horse it happened to is no longer living here.


"Actually, the signs started last night as I had Sonny Bunz out on the line, doing some messing around on the ground and mowing the lawn a bit. He was snorting and blowing towards the road side of the yard, and kept almost insisting that someone was out there. I blew it off, thinking it was deer in the brush.

At my 10PM bedtime check, Sonny was eating hay. Still somewhat unsettled, and more alert than usual, but he was OK. I had a hard time falling asleep, as did Wrecking Crew. Finally about 1AM I was just drifting off to sleep when I heard Sonny Bunz -- he was doing those giant snorts and then he ran off to the far end of the paddock. All was quiet, so again I blew it off thinking it was deer that popped up and spooked him. Daylight rolled around, and the children dragged me out of bed. I staggered about, trying to wake up, and getting clothes for the kids. I looked out the window, as is my normal morning habit, and saw the fence down.

My heart stopped.

I yelled out to Dear Husband, and he and Cub hauled butt out the door to see if Sonny was hanging out at the far end of the paddock.

No Sonny.

No Sonny ANYWHERE.

I tracked him a bit, and found where he hit the highway- and lost his track. (Training as a former Search and Rescue member in the mountains in Tundra Country helped out here.) I flew back to the house, and we investigated the paddock more. What we found stopped my heart, stole my breath, and left me shaking. There were foot prints in the soft mud/ dirt where the fence was cut. Not down- not taken down-- the fence was CUT. The prints were not mine, not Dear Husbands, or either childs, nor were they Johnny Reb's or Granny's. My horse was gone.

I called the police and within 20 minutes an officer was out investigating. We showed him all we had found, and he looked me in the eye, and said, "Ma'am, I am calling this in as a stolen horse."

Again- my heart stopped. Little black dots danced across my vision, and I had to do some serious deep breathing to stop from either throwing up or passing out.

Hours later, after combing the road sides, searching for any sign, stopping and knocking on doors, and calling everyone I could think of here, we hit on a lead. About an hour after the initial lead, I had tracked him down.

Sonny was alive.

Around 1PM, he was back home. He apparently had a night to remember, what with someone cutting his fence down, and sending him out on his own. Were they stealing him? Did he get a case of the ass and get away from them? Were they just stupid jerks f*cking around just to see what would happen if they cut the fence and sent the horse out? Who knows...

Sonny made his way somehow about a mile down the road, and back down a little road. Dogs at the home started barking, waking the home owners. The Husband went out to investigate, and found Sonny laying in the lawn. He eased up to him, thinking the horse was dead, when Sonny picked his head up and looked at him. Husband went to get a rope, to catch Sonny and lead him to their barn, and Sonny got up and followed along.

Unfortunately, Sonny found their swimming pool.

And fell in.
The deep end.

Fortunately (maybe?) the pool was empty so he didn't drown. But he did manage to screw up his legs pretty badly. The Husband managed to coax Sonny up five tiny steps out of the pool, and into their barn.

Below are pictures of his injuries- scrapes on three legs and a hugely swollen hock that he isn't walking on all that well. Plus a large lump on his nose. But he is home. All I could think was about those people who never find their horse, or if they do, it's too late. I don't really care if we can never ride again- as long as he is HOME. Now comes time to strengthen defenses here. Cause if that bastard that cut the fence thinks he can get away with this again, he is going to get a shock and a half when he meets the barrel of my shotgun."


Not a fun day. Nor a fun few months after the incident. Sleep was something mighty hard to come by for a WHILE around here, and Dear Husband and I both spent quite a few days in a big, heavy fog.

Hard to believe that we were able to nurse Big Red back to healthy again, and that I was able to lope along on him this past May. For an update on Sonny, I hear he is enjoying being the center of attention with sweet young ladies spoiling him rotten. He is happy, has a job, and is doing great.
Works for me. It's all we can ask, right?

Tonight, I'll go to bed, and hopefully sleep soundly. (Unless there are thunder storms, and Jo the Chicken in a Dog Suit needs me to hold her paw. Again.) I'll dream of riding... spots on a butt... and just horse love in general. I'm pretty sure that a few checks out the window will be in order as well. Even though there are currently no horses in residence at The Asylum, I still keep the paddock lit up at night. Some habits are just not worth breaking.

Happy trails to all of you. Check your fences, know who is around, and be sure you give your horses some extra attention and TLC.
~MM

Sunday Sweetness

Dear Husband with tiny pal

Lots going on at The Asylum this week. Lots of changes. Dear Husband's job took a big turn- for the better. Which means we'll see a bit less of him, but we will reap the rewards of his dedication, study, practice, and training.

It will also mean he'll only trim for maybe two people. One of whom has her animals featured in today's Sweetness, the other being a group of racing cowboys whom we both enjoy tremendously.

Big changes. Big adjustments. But all good.

Locust Brothers getting some goatie loves.

It's been hard to think "horse" with all the changes happening. Finding those anatomy images earlier this week were a huge blessing, and I really hope they were able to help you understand what is inside that hoof.

Meantime, I've been looking at sale ads (and groaning at the images, the spelling, and the umm.... pictures painted with words).

I think I need a hobby.... HA~

Y'all have a great day, great rides, and kiss on some soft velvety noses!
Happy Hoofin'
~MM

An Inside Look- Part Two (With some great links)

While searching high and low on the 'Net today, seeking THAT image to show you to compare to yesterdays post, I came across the website for the Alpine Veterinary Clinic, PC.

Hopefully, they will not mind my sharing the image below, nor a link to their page. There are some very good images there, including one of a coffin bone that has dropped and rotated through the sole.

Yesterdays image, of the Shiloh Horse.

Our ANON poster pointed out something I thought was interesting. Anyone else see the "ski tip" s/he referenced? (Hey ANON! I'm going to give you a nick name so we know kinda who you are! I'll let ya know what it is when I think of it....)

In addition, I found a new blog to read. Morgan of Ercall has a page that shows the actual bones, and gives a WONDERFUL explanation of where they belong inside the hoof capsule.

This is a lot to view and digest- so take a look, and digest a bit. Then let's hear what you have to say!

A Look Inside

While digging through archives this evening, I came across these images that the ladies and gents at Shiloh Horse Rescue were kind enough to grant permission waaay back when for use and education.

Radiographs are fantastic for teaching. It means we don't have to use any cadaver legs, and I don't have to make a mess at The Asylum and risk grossing you out completely. This particular image will help in understanding some of the anatomy a bit more (as I am prone to rattle on about the inside of the hoof capsule,) and give you a good visual of what a rotated coffin bone looks like.

Anyone care to hazard a guess at any of the anatomy shown? (Mikey, ANON, Sophie, all y'all already know! No hinting for the rest of the class!)


And for "bonus points"-- anyone care to guess how we might approach a trim for this horse?

Sunday Sweetness

Kids and ponies. Can't get much sweeter than that, at least not in my eyes. Horses offer so much to kids- they are an education for life in a four legged, furry, nickering, bright eyed, soft coated, big eyed package. The lessons these lovely equids offer to all of us are priceless, and offered freely. All we have to do is listen to them.


Deep thoughts on this stormy Sunday.

Late summer storms make way for changes in our animals, signaling the end of the season is approaching. Day light is slowly losing ground to night, the air- while still incredibly hot and steamy in the Southland- feels slightly different each morning. There is a bare hint of... dare I even think it? ... Fall in the air. (Fall and Winter... after this particularly steamy summer, I am *really* looking forward to the cooler weather.) So it seems are the critters. The past couple weeks, (OK, let's not count last week when I was knocked flat on my butt by the medications that helped my back,) it seems that all the animals are changing summer coats for pre-winter fuzzies. Each day as the Locust Brother groomed and doted on Blondie Ponykins, more of her summer coat would come out. Jo the Wonder Nanny Dog/ Chicken in a Dog Suit is leaving more hair on my carpet than on her body. If I don't vacuum every day, we are ankle deep in dog hair before I can blink my eyes. Kitty Biscuits the DAT has even had wisps of her fine, silky hair swirling about in the air. The only one who seems slow on the draw is Porch Cat. (Yes, she is still here. We've all settled into an agreement. She keeps bad things away, and lives outside keeping us rodent free, and in exchange we provide her with some kitty crunchies and the occasional bout of attention. Porch Cat. I figure Ceiling Cat does not want her, and Basement Cat is afraid she'll take over.)

Fall brings about memories of late season horse shows, showing in a snow storm once (THAT was a blast actually,) and a desire to bake, cook, and prepare my nest for the coming cold.

The change in seasons this year brings about different thoughts these days. For the first time in years, I don't have to think about winter hay supplies, repairing the shelter roof, installing sides as a wind block on the shelter (which is open during the summer months,) or any of the other fall and winter horse care thoughts.
Dear Husband said that it feels good to him. I say it just feels.... weird. But, I'm also somewhat content to sit and wait, and dream about a spotted rump, muscular neck, powerful hind quarters, and kind eyes. He's out there..... waiting for the time to show up.

Happy Sunday y'all.
~MM

Attention Gerogia Readers!

Came across this ad on Craigslist this morning. Anyone around that can help? Email me- I'll pass along contact information.


"I am posting this for a friend!!! she had 2 horses dropped off at her house that are not in good condition! they are older (20+) horses and need lots of TLC/groceries. i would have taken them in but i do not have room for them as i already have 15 of my own with only 5 acres! please if you have pasture and time to help them please call me and i will give you the info to get them......they need to find a home like NOW before they get any worse which would NOT be good! the girl lives out of ludowici and they can be picked up at her house! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP THESE HORSES IF YOU CAN!!!!! call 912-xxx-xxxx if no answer please leave your name and number and i WILL return your call

PLEASE NO SPAMMERS AND ONLY THOSE THAT CAN TRULY GIVE THEM A GOOD HOME!!! AND PLEASE NO REMARKS ABOUT THE GIRL THAT HAS THEM SHE IS NOT TO BLAME FOR THERE CONDITION AS YOU WILL SEE WHEN YOU PICK THEM UP! SHE HAS A BIG HEART AND DID NOT KNOW THE HORSES WERE SO POOR WHEN SHE AGREED TO TAKE THEM!! SHE IS JUST NOT EXSPERIANCED ENOUGH TO HADLE HORSES IN THIS CONDITION! "

Ouch, Part Three

Hypothetically speaking, let's say that this was the result of a laminitic incident, with slight rotation of the coffin bone.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say that this was the result of a well intentioned but under educated vet/ farrier team.

Since we do not know the circumstances of the HOW or the WHY, we pretty much must go with guesstimation. On to the arrows and circles in both images.




Starting from the top, working our way down:
Little Blue Arrow at hairline: Yes, this appears to be an abscess eruption site.

Green Arrow: Bruise. Bruising happens from a lot of incidents- bang the hoof, you get a bruise. But- this bruise would be the result of pressures being exerted on the wall from the unnatural pressures exerted on that quarter.

Red Arrows: Rear- showing the length/ height of the heels. (That's roughly equivalent to walking around on stilettos all the time ladies.) Front red arrow- showing mainly the bulge in the wall. Look the the very top at the hairline- you can see where the laminae WANT to grow, which was not in a truly horrible angle, making me suspect actually minimal rotation (of the coffin bone) present in the capsule.

Little Blue Arrow on Bottom: Old nail holes--- this was not the first time this horse had been shod in such a manner.

What Would We Have Done, Had This Been A Live Horse:
Remember- this entire scenario is hypothetical.

But had we been called in on a case such as this, we would follow standard protocol.
First- current xrays. We don't have x-ray vision, and need fresh radiographs to be able to SEE what is going on inside the hoof.

Second: Following the xrays CAREFULLY, and reading the hoof CAREFULLY, a lot of the dead material would be removed.

Casting the hoof may or may not also be an option. Padding with supportive / protective pads, secured with duct tape, would most definitely be called for. Treating the sole and what is left of the frog with antibacterial solution would also be in order.

Repeat visits roughly ten days apart.
More xrays.

Careful monitoring of diet, and exercise would also be covered.


Now- for the solar view.
Top Blue Arrow: Look at the toe---- a LOT of that had been cut back/ off.

Red Arrow at heel: Look at the depth in there. And how close those heels are. And the fact that the frog is.. missing.

Blue Circle over Bar: Abscess site. As ANON stated yesterday, I too felt a great desire to get out the knife and clear that dead tissue away. Since this is a cadaver hoof, I'd have taken the whole thing apart, and probably measured everything I could and photographed it all too.

Red Circle at Apex of Frog: Look at all that sole that has grown over the tip of what was a frog. Now, often times in laminitic cases, the sole will flatten out and "blend" together to support the internal structures of the hoof. The sole will appear convex, rather than concave.

Proper trimming, follow up xrays, and a careful diet and exercise program can and WILL reverse rotation in the coffin bone, returning it to a more ground parallel position.

Remember:
Heat in the feet = a great need for immediate cold hosing, for an extended period of time. (Dr. Chris Pollit has proven repeatedly that immersing the lower limbs and feet in cold water will stop a laminitic incident.)

You can help prevent rotation also by creating pads. Simple supplies to keep on hand:
- Kick boards that little kids swim with. That heavy Styrofoam provides excellent support for the sole and coffin bone.
- It goes with out saying: Duct Tape. It literally can save the world. Create a boot, and tape the pads in place.

Monitor your horse closely, repeat cold hosing as often as you can, and alert your hoof care provider and vet. Chances are though that by your taking immediate action, you will effectively stop the incident with out extensive damage to the hooves.

Fire away. I'm looking forward to hearing thoughts on this.

Ouch--- Just... OUCH.

Remember this foot? It brought about some very good questions, and conversation.
I don't have much by way of history on this poor creature, but Miss Sophie left
a comment on the initial post, telling a bit more of what she knew.

This pair of hooves arrived in a class type setting. The horse (may he or she rest in peace,)
had been put down. Now before you go throwing up a bit in your mouth,
remember:
This horse did not suffer for nothing.
I hate it as much as you do, what was done to his/ her hooves,
BUT-
We Can Learn From This.
And prevent it from happening again.

Shake it off. Think in a clinical fashion.
Remember what you learn.

And practice active prevention by way of self education, so you can
FIRE
any jackwagon mamby pamby that tries to do this to
YOUR
horse.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Horse Blog


If you click the link, you'll be able to go and view a much larger image at Sophie's blog, and read some of the back story.


Tomorrow, we'll take a look at what we might have done upon encountering this on a live horse.
(Shooting the person or persons responsible comes to mind, however it is rather tough to help many horses from jail.)

Once again, a big Thank You to Miss Sophie, of Barefoot Horse Blog for the use of her photos.

Day Late, And Helped By The DAT

Well this past week passed in a haze of misery and pain, but it does look as though things are on the upswing. Which is fantastic, as the medications I've been forced to take sure do a number on me. Enough of a number in fact, that it took Dear Husband telling me THREE TIMES this morning that today is indeed TUESDAY, August TENTH. The 10th. TENTH. (OK-- I get it now. Sort of.)

Which means that I completely blew yesterday's deadline for drawing winners in the "WHIRLWIND" giveaway.

Not cool.

However, I am happy to present to you to winners. Yes, WinnerS. Plural- not a typo. Ms. Hart has graciously offered to send additional autographed copies to a couple extra folks. (Now how cool is that?!)

Here is where "Helped By DAT" comes in. The Locust Brothers were busy, doing Locust Brother things, and declined to participate in the drawing. Jo the Chicken In A Dog Suit was sleeping on the floor on my feet, and also declined. That left DAT. Who happily pounced on my hand while stirring up the names.

And we drew three:
Mellimaus

Oregon Sunshine

Breathe

Congrats!! Zap me your snail mail information in the next couple days, so that we can get your prize in the mail!!


In Other News:

I have to shake off the effects of the meds and learn more about photo manipulation. Know how tough it is to accomplish that when there are three of things? Yeah. Frustrating to say the least! But, at least there are no longer any bricks breathing. (Did I tell you guys that story? If I didn't, I'll have to. Just shows what a lightweight I really am. And I don't mind people having a good laugh at my expense.)

Things still get sore if I sit for too long, and we're reaching that limit. Mellimaus, OS, and Breathe, be sure to zap me your snail mail info! (swequine @ yahoo.com)

Stay sound y'all...
~MM

This is DEAR HUSBAND doing my part for the MRS. MRSMOM is down for at least a few days. Her back issues finally FORCED me to drag her to the hospital for x-rays and meds. She has an inflamed disc just above the tail bone and WILL be laying down doing NOTHING for a few days at least. She will catch you up on everything when the Doc and I let her sit up.

*Side Note for the wives*
LISTEN to your husband occasionally and admit you are not superwoman. I have been on her a$$ for 3 weeks to do something about her back and she kept the whole "it's fine ..it will be OK in a day or two.... it happens all the time I am used to it" crap right up to the point she is incapacitated. Backs are just like hooves..it is easier to head things off than catch up with them.

Help!

I went to add lines and what not to the photos of the interesting shod hoof, and it seems the little photo edit program I've been using has been eated up by the computer. (Or maybe removed by Dear Husband during a cleaning spree by accident.)

Can anyone direct me to a VERY easy to use, free, easy to use photo edit program so that we can continue our education?

(*Note the EASY TO USE and FREE parts please...)

Thanks all! Soon as I can get those images adjusted somehow, we'll jump back into the hoof action.

Monday Sweetness (Cause I Missed Sunday Sweetness)

Cub and the Wrecking crew have been working hard, tending pony chores.
They can now catch and halter her.
Groom her from nose to tail
(which she LOOOOVES),

Pick up and clean all four feet,
Brush her long, silky mane and tail,
Keep a clean paddock...

They lead her around,
Practice whoa,
Backing up,
And making her believe that
THEY
are the boss of her,
at least for a little while.

Pony time sure is excellent for kids.


Unfortunately though, Blondie Ponkykins will be making her way back to her home in the near future. She is very very unhappy being the only pony here. Of course, Cub being Cub... Tonight when I broached the subject of her imminent return to her herd,
Cub piped up with,
"Nah Mom, we'll just order up another pony. This way, Ponykins will be happy and have someone to boss around and the other pony can help eat the hay!"

He was not accepting the fact that the other ponies from her herd had jobs,
and that they needed to stay where they were to work.

Wrecking Crew of course, was sitting right there, nodding his head, saying, "Yeah Mom, just order up another pony!"

My children were not happy that I was not buying into the irrefutable wisdom of their logical argument.


(Itty Bitty Pony Committee Update: Unfortunately, IBPC owner has changed her mind, and decided the ponies need to stay where they are. These ponies provide a huge amount of comfort to her, and have great sentimental value as well. Oh well... if it was meant to happen it would have. Time to just.... wait I suppose, for *our* horse-s- find us, right?)