Comments on these feet

[martini55]

The farrier came out this morning and he is really pleased with how Martini’s feet are looking. He said that they hadn’t grown much at all (I don't know if I told you all that the vet trimmed her feet right back when he first came out to see her leaving her with the bare minimum of hoof really). He has put her heartbars back on but has taken off the equi-pak and not put any other pad back on. There was understandably a bit of thrush going on under the equi-pak so he just cut back the frog to the healthy tissue underneath. Martini was a little bit uncomfortable getting her right shoe pulled off but didn’t flinch when she was getting shod and stood up fine. I took some photographs of her feet but I have to admit I am not the best at taking pictures of horse’s feet! Anyone have any comments?

Left fore:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/leftforeside19july.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/leftforefront19julu.jpg
(She's standing a bit wonky in that one since her back foot is getting done)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/leftforesole19july1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/leftforesole19july2.jpg



Right fore:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/rightforeside19july.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/rightforefront1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/rightforesole19july1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/rightforesole19july2.jpg


And just because she's pretty:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/martini500/Horses/feet19thjuly07/prettymane.jpg

(I got bored waiting for the farrier- shame about the rest of her mane or er, lack of it:o)



I spoke to my farrier about the use of hoof boots and pads instead of normal shoes once we are finished with the heart-bars. He's up for it so I think we'll be doing that. His only worry is that her feet might get rubbed or go soft if they are in boots too much. My plan is to keep them off when she is in her stable though so hopefully she'll be fine.

[martini55]

Just to add, if you want to compare them to how they were when the heart-bars first went on then have a look here:

[Montana]

I'm far from being an expert, but I've just been reading your blog with fascination:) Wow - you've both been through the mill with this:o

Her feet still look so short, but the new growth seems to be on a much better angle than the older hoof wall. Glad to hear that you seem to be getting somewhere with it all finally.

And yes - she is pretty:D

[martini55]

Thank you :) I'm glad you like the blog, I think it will be really interesting to look at it a few months down the line. We seem to always have one thing after the other at the moment but maybe, just maybe, we'll not have anymore little upsets. Though I've been saying that for weeks but at least I can stay positive :) I seem to have got her diet spot on now so fingers crossed she'll only continue to improve.

[MelanieD]

There does look like there's some improvement and there's some tighter growth at the top. I'm rather impressed with your farrier :)

[martini55]

Thanks Melanie, I'm glad it's not just me that's seeing some improvement :D I think I'm really lucky with my farrier. Not only does he do a good job, but he listens to what I want as well. I took my hoof boots with me to show him (I didn't know if he had seen them before) and he was saying that they are really good. He had one woman who was adament she wasn't puting shoes on her horse (I can't remember if it had foundered or if it was some other problem) so they used hoof boots and it took a long time but eventually he was sound and working away. I'm not sure how long the heart-bars will stay on for, but I'm pretty certain we'll be going from them into boots and pads. I personally think it's better than shoes and pads since they can come off and give the feet a break. I'd worry if she had pads on all the time that it would soften up the soles.

[Wally]

Just anot ,

when you are taking pics of the soles of feet and eyeing them up, don't hold them where you are holding them, your thumb will influence the hoof, hold the leg at the knee or hock and let the whole leg dangle,

Where you are holding the foot, it is possible to twist the hoof and not get a relaiable view.

[martini55]

Thanks Wally :) I have to say I'm pretty rubbish when it comes to taking photos of feet!