1 month into the transition

[martini55]

Picture from today (24th March 07) with a comparison of those taken from a month ago:

Left-fore today:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet24thmar07/Photo-0114.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet24thmar07/Photo-0111.jpg

Left-fore (22nd Feb 07):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet22ndfeb07/Photo-0059.jpg

Right-fore:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet24thmar07/Photo-0112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet24thmar07/Photo-0113.jpg

Right-fore (22nd Feb 07):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet22ndfeb07/Photo-0055.jpg

(Sorry only have side-on pics from Feb).


So far I am really pleased with the way things are going. We've had a couple of days where she has been pretty footsore but she is now starting to walk much better imo. She is taking short careful strides rather than being a bit unlevel. I also got my boots and tried them out for the first time today, which was rather amusing! 'No I can't possibly walk in these mum!', followed by over-exaggerated movement and then finally she realised they helped:) She was a bit 'ouchy' over stones but I think that's more because she anticipated it was going to be uncomfortable and I think it will take a few goes in them until she realises that it's not so bad. Also, someone please tell me there is a knack to these boots and it will become easier in no time:p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet24thmar07/Photo-0108.jpg

Also, would you say the left-fore is beginning to flare a bit? I'm amazed at how much her toes are growing down (if you don't know how they were before, do a search for the threads I have done- though you can see it from the white bits in these photos :) )


ETA: Her feet were last trimmed on the 10th March.

[capalldubh]

Wow, they look a lot healthier even in that space of time. Where do you see the flare on the right fore? At the toe? I can hardly see anything (but my eye is still very novice).

The boots definitely get easier - though today I gave them a quick clean before going up to the field, put them on and then kept staring at them wondering what was wrong... I hadn't put the strap that goes around the pastern back in its keeper, and the strap was sitting right up over the boot :eek: Also, juggling 4 is difficult - yesterday I had two on the right feet and two on the wrong feet... I don't think too much of a problem, just the buckles on the wrong sides. It is also intersting - three/four weeks since last trim, and it is now becoming difficult to get the foot into the boot. His feet are growing! Hurrah!

As to getting the boots on, do you open them right up and fold the velcro back? The more open they are the better.

Looks like it's going well though :)

[martini55]

It's the left-fore at the quarters? I am very novicey when it comes to feet and I suppose I'm also used to little boxy feet so I just thought I'd ask (can you tell I'm a bit paranoid! :p). I opened them right up, I suppose it is just getting used to puting them on. Also I have pads in them and I find it a bit more difficult getting them on with them in. Will they squish down a bit once they have been used a few times?

[MelanieD]

They're starting to look better already :) Toes look much better. I think you have some new improved growth at the top which is making the bit below look flared and a bit odd.

The boots do get easier, the pads do squish down a bit (you can get them to bounce back by heating them), and most horses do take a little while to get over the 'what the h*ll is on my feet?' thing and stop doing funny walks :D

[Yann]

I think they look much better too, it looks like the trimmer has taken the heels down a bit, they looked rather boxy before. She'll also be wearing them naturally which should help keep things as they should be. It's possible the quarters are flaring a little, it might help if you can do a weekly refresh of the roll on the hoof wall (if you aren't already), but feet seem to go through all sorts of little changes and adjustments and there's nothing I can see to worry about at all :)

As to the boots, they do get easier, it's possible to pop them on in seconds once you have had some practice :)

[martini55]

I think the next time my EP comes out I will ask her how to maintain the feet between trims. I wouldn't want to go ahead and do it without her guidance though :) I am really pleased with her progress and I am amazed at the difference in just one month! It makes me wonder why I never tried this earlier as I would hardly see much difference in her feet from one shoeing to the next.