I have to leave for work soon, so this update is gonna be fast.
1. Rode Cruizer yesterday, he was VERY lazy. as in.. had to bump him with my legs every stride to maintain a jog. left lead he was shaking his head and being very "bucky." switched to right lead and he was great. had a friend watch, she said that it seemed like on the left lead he was being very careful and light on his left front. my suspicions? thrush + lack of work. Its been very muddy here, and I haven't been able to ride consistently. His back was not sore before or after the ride, so its not that. His left front has always been the most sensitive, so I put a lot of thrush buster into that foot, and we'll see how it goes. I'm also going to start using the Farrier's Fix Oil on it to harden the sole up a little bit. I'm considering getting some Keratex Hoof Hardener and doing that whole process. Its very wet here during this time of the year, and thrush is always a problem.
Thoughts?
We also have a hunter under saddle/showmanship/hunt seat equitation clinic on April 3rd which I am very excited for, and we have a western riding/trail clinic on May 1st. :)
I saw your comment on the Barefoot Horse Blog and wanted to share what little knowledge I have. Check out Pete Ramey's website http://www.hoofrehab.com/ I don't know what your farrier is doing, but if you're having problems with thrush make sure he isn't cutting the whole frog back every time because that removes the callouses and opens the soft tissue to infection. Just have them trim the flaps off. Check this out. http://www.hoofrehab.com/frogtrim.htm Also for thrush instead of wasting your money on products that might not work (and may do damage to the hoof) get a spray bottle, put a bunch of salt in it (likea quarter to half a cup) and fill with water. Shake it up, clean out his hooves really well and soak them with the salt water. Make sure it gets in all of the crevices. Be careful the first time in case he has any open sores and it stings. My horse hasn't had a problem with it but you never know. I do this everyday, sometimes twice a day, and have no problem with thrush anymore. It dries and toughens the hooves and frogs. I don't put it on the outside of the hoof, just the bottom.
ReplyDeleteAs for feed supplements for hooves I don't really know about anything specific but I do love flaxseed (linseed) for coat and hooves. I love that stuff. You can use a coffee grinder (feed immediately) or feed it whole. Some people don't like to feed it whole, but I don't see the problem with it (I also feed beet pulp dry, but that's another matter). :) I some of this is helpful for you. I'm rooting for you making the barefoot transition. :D
It does sound as if Cruizer is trying to tell you that something hurts. Might be his hoof, but it could be other things as well. Treating his foot is a good start. Hope it works.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely have to check out that site! Its so hard to find "barefoot folks" around here, in fact, I am the only one in a barn of 35+ horses. Most of my knowledge on the subject is coming from internet research. Cruizer actually hasn't been able to be trimmed since November, due to his ex-farrier trimming him extremely short (as in, he whacked a good 3 inches of hoof off at once, leaving Cruizer dead lame and doing the laminitis walk. needless to say, farrier was fired immediately). Cruizer has not yet grown enough hoof out to be able to trim him. We have been rasping the edges to try and keep him smooth. Also, his feet grow very slow. It is normal for him to go up to 10-12 weeks without needing to be trimmed.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely give the salt water a try. The thrush-buster does seem to work with one application, but I am always looking for more natural and healthy alternatives that won't damage his hoof. Do you ever soak your horse's feet in salt water or just spray it on? Cruizer is weird and is much better about soaking his feet than having anything sprayed on him.
Jean, I am really hoping that the hoof is the issue. I honestly don't think its the back, hips, or shoulders, only because I palpate all of that daily and he isn't reacting whatsoever. He came to me being very sore along his entire topline, so that has been a pretty constant struggle. I am planning on getting out the hooftesters just to see what it may or may not show on that foot.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah you can soak them no problem if he doesn't like the spray bottle. I just use the spray bottle because it's easier for me. Be sure when you put his hoof in the salt water to scrub the bottom of his foot with your hoof brush to get the rest of the dirt out and make sure the salt gets in all of the crevices. :) I bet it will help harden his feet up. That's sad what the farrier did to him. Poor guy. It's no wonder he hurts.
ReplyDelete