tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45120296544949656352024-03-14T03:28:10.467+00:00Barefoot Horse BlogThere is none so foolish as he who thinks he can outwit natureLucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-85375608154949240322018-12-12T08:42:00.000+00:002018-12-12T08:42:00.755+00:00Walked like an alligator, now struts like a dude (yes OTTB can go barefoot)It might be me, but I've always figured horses should walk like horses. Until I met 'Pretzel' who with his pulled out shoulders hauling up his odd shaped feet, appeared a least a bit like an alligator.<br />
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'Pretzel' because that was the shape of the shoes on his front feet.<br />
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To be honest it is early days yet and there are hurdles to be leapt before this horse has truly robust functional feet. But for any horse just out of shoes he is doing well. For an OTTB with a serious injury in his past and more than a score of races he is doing really well.<br />
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It wasn't the easiest deshoe, the nail clenches were buried in the foot and the clips were so tight the hoof was the filling in a sandwich. We got there though and Pretzel walked off better without the metal.<br />
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Hooves were a long way from healthy. On the fronts the soles were thin, convex, with some thrush, and thinned hoof walls. Not the worst but definitely on the way. Completely bent out of shape, largely from human intervention and the application of metal.<br />
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His person had done everything within their grasp right, including putting him on a more suitable bucket feed for six weeks prior to shoe removal. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">At present off the shelf hoof boots don't come in his particular shape. So his human was on the case m</span>aking nappy and duct tape boots (NDB) so Pretzel could negotiate stony ground while his soles were still so thin.<br />
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Regular walking in NDB helped stimulate his feet, took him through the pins and needles stage and within four days it was already possible to see an improvement.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWB8jInbH60/XBDEyWd_GHI/AAAAAAAAC6A/P1S-riBHboUYA9wnfZ9FLDT3Ek9HA9_QgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2018-11-09_11-28-56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1381" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWB8jInbH60/XBDEyWd_GHI/AAAAAAAAC6A/P1S-riBHboUYA9wnfZ9FLDT3Ek9HA9_QgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2018-11-09_11-28-56.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hind feet - Just deshod to the right, four days post deshoe to the left</td></tr>
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The frog is bulking up and the thrush is all but gone. This has been a relatively inexpensive process. Nappies at 7.5 pence each (9 US cents) and a few rolls of duct tape. Much Red Horse Artimud has been used initially, with daily use of Red Horse Sole Cleanse. But when thrush is in check, application once or twice per week is sufficient depending on your horse and their environment.<br />
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Pretzel in shoes would stand in his field and hardly move. Barefoot Pretzel runs, plays and has a great time. And has been sound enough to school, moving better than ever according to the Instructor.<br />
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Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-76884407468804248772018-03-03T14:06:00.000+00:002018-03-17T13:35:21.793+00:00Does it matter what breed my horse is if I want to take them barefoot?From an anatomical point of view - not really.<br />
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Sure you will notice a difference in the shape and size of hoof according to breed.<br />
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However all normal hooves have the same internal and external anatomy. And I have seen some with congenital issues that still worked perfectly barefoot.<br />
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What may be different is the health of those structures when they are first taken barefoot. And that is a human made problem.<br />
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Horses Bred for Competition</h3>
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If your horse was bred for competition, chances are that they will have started having problems early on. </div>
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Diets intended to 'grow a horse on'. ie make them appear more mature than they really are, for futurities or the sale ring, tend to have a negative impact on foot health.</div>
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These horses also tend to get shod very early on, long before the hoof has reached maturity, which compounds the problem.</div>
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That happened to Kevin and the end result was that he was going to be PTS before he was even 5 years old because of 'incurable' navicular. He is still with us, still sound and around age 13. And he had a competitive career before he landed at my door.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin</td></tr>
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Thoroughbreds intended for racing suffer even more. But they can still be rehabilitated and have a successful competitive career post racing. Tends to take a bit longer, but not always.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Competitor at Barefoot Show</td></tr>
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Can highly bred horses be rehabilitated?</h4>
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Yes but it tends to take a bit more time, patience and skill than those horses who have not had these early management challenges.</div>
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Often these broken down sports horses come to barefoot as a last chance. Everything else having been tried, many thousands spent. And yet they still come right. Extraordinary really. But it happens time and again. Success is hugely dependent on the care givers and the advice they receive and are able to implement.</div>
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<b>Is size an issue?</b><br />
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How are you measuring size? The height of the horse is pretty much irrelevant. Kevin is 17.2 (177cm), a lot of barefoot horses are this tall, some are bigger. It isn't an issue. <br />
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However if you horse is obese this won't help. But no horse should be kept fat regardless of how we want to manage their hooves.<br />
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Can your horse's hooves be too small? This is an old myth that still pops up from time. My old, old horse, before we took her barefoot, had her hooves deliberately flared in the mistaken belief that this would give a greater surface area on which to spread the load. It didn't work, and was one of the reasons we took the great leap and removed her shoes. Her competitive career continued.<br />
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Of course my sample is skewed because I mostly see this type of horse when they have been broken beyond the redemption of tradition.<br />
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In summary, the breed isn't that relevant, but the nature of the 'injury' suffered will impact on how long it takes to get the hoof back to optimum health.<br />
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-86029931755450336392018-02-27T21:31:00.000+00:002018-09-07T12:53:22.406+01:00Can I take my horse barefoot?Unless you get 'bounced' by circumstance into de-shoeing your horse you need to ask yourself some frank questions before adopting the barefoot horse lifestyle.<br />
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A Why do I want to take the shoes off my horse?</h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shoes are expensive</span></div>
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Barefoot seems more natural</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Horse is lame/tripping/not moving properly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to be able to be more involved in the management of my horse</span></div>
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B What do I expect to gain from it?</h4>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Save money</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A sound horse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A happier, healthier horse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A more natural horse</span></li>
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C How much time and effort am I prepared to spend managing my horse?</h4>
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<li>Less than I spend now</li>
<li>The same as I spend now</li>
<li>More than I spend now but not much more</li>
<li>No more than I do now</li>
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D Do I have support for my choices?</h4>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">None at all</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friend who is barefoot</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">My hoof care professional and/or vet</span></li>
<li>I don't need it</li>
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E Are you prepared to change the management of your horse if necessary?</h4>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">No</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe if it doesn't cost anything more or take more time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes to some extent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes I will do whatever is needed</span></li>
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F How do you think about your horse?</h4>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">My horses have to have a 'job' and earn their living</span></li>
<li>Horses are happiest left to their own devices and can take care of themselves if turned out</li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">My horse is a family member, like any other pet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Horses are sentient beings that need to be respected and well cared for</span></li>
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G<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Who is responsible for your horses hoof health?</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hoof care professional</span></li>
<li>Yard manager and staff</li>
<li>Both of the above</li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am</span></li>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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In conclusion</h3>
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Now tot up your answers. If you have responded with mostly 3's and 4's you have a good chance of successfully managing a barefoot horse.</div>
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Having a barefooted horse very firmly places the responsibility for managing the detail of achieving a healthy hoof in the owner/main care giver's hands. Be prepared to put aside a myriad of myth and start learning some real wisdom in modern hoof care.</div>
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If you have answered mostly 1's and 2's you might struggle to manage your horse barefoot. The responsibility for keeping your horse's hooves in optimum health is firmly in your hands. It takes time, patience and a lot of myth ditching and learning new techniques. </div>
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If you mess up you have to take the consequences.</div>
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On the plus side, there is nothing more rewarding than realising you have the power to transform your horse's well being and then doing just that.</div>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-31292817234282517702017-01-15T20:28:00.000+00:002017-01-15T20:28:58.780+00:00Dissection of chronic laminitic hoof<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--x_OKtSR8v0/WHvXIOVrVpI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/3b0XfL-UjtYMnVLrkSPTNg_5zuIhgmAgACLcB/s1600/DSCF1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--x_OKtSR8v0/WHvXIOVrVpI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/3b0XfL-UjtYMnVLrkSPTNg_5zuIhgmAgACLcB/s400/DSCF1870.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Lamellar wedge toe view. Grooving, event lines, <br />
quarter distortion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Yep, that is my kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Heel view, note contraction, underrun heels,<br />
atrophy of digital cushion, peripheral loading</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Sole view, not clear in photo but it was bulging.<br />
Natural balance shoe, very little wear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">You can see more of the state of the sole here. <br />
I've cut the toe off</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view shows the capsule distortion and my kitchen table...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">No that wasn't me, the laminae really have gone mushy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V2b5Zljzag/WHvXL5E5SZI/AAAAAAAAC20/PtdCNwkuM2c6l4IKx3lw0nhJA9bWF1dhQCLcB/s1600/DSCF1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V2b5Zljzag/WHvXL5E5SZI/AAAAAAAAC20/PtdCNwkuM2c6l4IKx3lw0nhJA9bWF1dhQCLcB/s320/DSCF1931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The distal border of the pedal bone has disintegrated as </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">you can see</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7l3Cj70M80/WHvXL9pc0fI/AAAAAAAAC2w/KDARm8IuL7c__mMiVjzoS0jaj0mOJu0cQCLcB/s1600/DSCF1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7l3Cj70M80/WHvXL9pc0fI/AAAAAAAAC2w/KDARm8IuL7c__mMiVjzoS0jaj0mOJu0cQCLcB/s320/DSCF1934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedal bone is very damaged and is infected/rotting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AL3ZXCEcB8/WHvXMdvFo6I/AAAAAAAAC24/yP2VZ6RG_ZIppnNd6qL2NyVA_1pK5AafgCLcB/s1600/DSCF1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AL3ZXCEcB8/WHvXMdvFo6I/AAAAAAAAC24/yP2VZ6RG_ZIppnNd6qL2NyVA_1pK5AafgCLcB/s320/DSCF1935.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A better view of the damage to pedal bone. <br />
And my grubby kitchen floor. I hasten to add I took my <br />
gloves off after the dissection so as to not get gloop on the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5hNgQ3ZmVA/WHvXNi6bq1I/AAAAAAAAC28/cVud7smG8TYoYMwQXAlNOIkp4bVj7oc7wCLcB/s1600/DSCF1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5hNgQ3ZmVA/WHvXNi6bq1I/AAAAAAAAC28/cVud7smG8TYoYMwQXAlNOIkp4bVj7oc7wCLcB/s320/DSCF1936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Another grim view of pedal bone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxX0pmBma2Y/WHvXNkkoDJI/AAAAAAAAC3A/InE5yqwk3S0fS3KKSTqHcQt7-xatAcf-gCLcB/s1600/DSCF1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxX0pmBma2Y/WHvXNkkoDJI/AAAAAAAAC3A/InE5yqwk3S0fS3KKSTqHcQt7-xatAcf-gCLcB/s320/DSCF1938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tragic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-10524737931902942292017-01-15T07:32:00.002+00:002017-01-15T20:31:34.110+00:00Why/How/What<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Let this one sink in. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Look at it. Then look again. And again.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ask yourself, how did this hoof get like this? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>This foot is from southern UK not a backwater in a third world country.</li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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Let's work together to ensure that feet like this get consigned to history. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGymZYlna-M/WHsiluD28jI/AAAAAAAACxw/YCoX2emtATA8q3Lcy1fZG29W3XzjgfkagCLcB/s1600/DSCF1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGymZYlna-M/WHsiluD28jI/AAAAAAAACxw/YCoX2emtATA8q3Lcy1fZG29W3XzjgfkagCLcB/s400/DSCF1869.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-80212898402835666792016-12-31T00:13:00.000+00:002017-01-15T07:37:41.816+00:00Meet Julie, trimming in Suffolk and Norfolk<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To introduce
myself to those who don’t know me already - I’m Julie, one of Lucy’s newest Barefoot
South Associates. I’m based in Mid
Suffolk and I’m offering trimming services in Suffolk and Norfolk, as well as
parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve had two
main passions for as long as I can remember, horses and dance. The dance seeming to give me a true
understanding of the balance, movement and grace that is seen in a fit, healthy
horse. I could also see that some of the
horses I was working with didn’t have that same ease of movement as their wild
counterparts but, at the time, I couldn’t figure out why. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then I met
Mr Thomas. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBqqeG54vhc/WGb3DTO8RiI/AAAAAAAACxg/GYhIgg-iB5UvXjXVrYvJA6_p7FEypjwSACLcB/s1600/Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBqqeG54vhc/WGb3DTO8RiI/AAAAAAAACxg/GYhIgg-iB5UvXjXVrYvJA6_p7FEypjwSACLcB/s320/Thomas.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If I’m
honest, when I first bought Mr T he was a bit of a train wreck. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The words used in his description should have
included; lame, navicular, sheared heels, thrush...you can see where we’re
going…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Try as I
might I could not get him sound and, to cut a (very) long story short, I
stumbled somewhat blindly into the world of the unshod horse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After many wrong
turns, frustrations and research I found Barefoot South and a place where I
could learn about diet, exercise, environment and the barefoot trim without it
all being a big secret. It was a bit of
a revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I decided
that I would train as a trimmer and from then, everything changed – after two
years of studying I passed my exams, meeting both the expectations of Barefoot
South and the requirements of the Equine Barefoot Care National Occupational
Standards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having confirmed
my status as a hoof geek (I’m always happy to expand on my geek credentials) I want
to help owners to help their horses find their balance, movement and grace and
go on to do fantastic things – whatever that might mean to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, and Mr
T? He’s sound.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKDq8sbgcD8/WGb3DYUpBBI/AAAAAAAACxc/Avcj0taDk1UMsDNZ3uqkq3rLNqLqq1YMwCLcB/s1600/J%2BHerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKDq8sbgcD8/WGb3DYUpBBI/AAAAAAAACxc/Avcj0taDk1UMsDNZ3uqkq3rLNqLqq1YMwCLcB/s320/J%2BHerd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can’t wait to see where this new journey takes me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>To make an appointment with Julie contact Barefoot South click on this link to our <a href="http://www.barefoot-south.com/contact.php" target="_blank">contact form</a> </b> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-89799587712508508262016-12-19T22:41:00.000+00:002016-12-20T11:08:25.698+00:00Hoof cracksHoof cracks can be scary, but they don't need to be.<br />
<br />
I'm not big on drama, it just gets in the way. See the hoof crack below.<br />
<br />
When I was called to this case, the hoof crack had been present for 9 years and if I understand correctly had been resistant to conventional wisdom/treatments. The horse was persistently lame. The crack originated from a field gate injury.<br />
<br />
The first photo was 5 months ago. You can see the crack runs from just below the coronary band to ground. It is wide, deep and infected. The toe is also long and the dorsal wall has a distinct dish.<br />
<br />
The 'Hoof Fairy Wand'* was activated and the second photo is now; December. The crack is growing out nicely. There is a little gunk in the crack, but it is less than 2mm deep. The horse is now sound to hack out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrahqNxXc74/WFhXYRtF-LI/AAAAAAAACxE/Jqiz5VUkZFMtO_SmL1zCiGzW77cBOqzvQCLcB/s1600/DSCF3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrahqNxXc74/WFhXYRtF-LI/AAAAAAAACxE/Jqiz5VUkZFMtO_SmL1zCiGzW77cBOqzvQCLcB/s320/DSCF3939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early July 2016 crack is deep and infected</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWe91smaihA/WFhXgq7OXAI/AAAAAAAACxI/L1iiHXly4P4HqnWUzNiVYIrH45TQUauGgCLcB/s1600/DSCF4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWe91smaihA/WFhXgq7OXAI/AAAAAAAACxI/L1iiHXly4P4HqnWUzNiVYIrH45TQUauGgCLcB/s320/DSCF4865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid December 2016 crack is shallow and growing out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
* Sorry - the magic wand doesn't exist. Working as a team we tweaked a few things and the owner has done an outstanding job. Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-18999591157098415732016-08-15T23:23:00.002+01:002016-08-15T23:23:44.983+01:00Balance and trimming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not all horses are able to self trim. Maybe they don't do the miles, maybe their work load is inconsistent, maybe everything they do is on the squish.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It can all end in tears. See the first foot, more or less self trimmed. Then look at the second and third photos. The latter in particular via the wobbly event lines show just how 'out' the foot was.</div>
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Went from very lame to high mileage performance horse. Not overnight obviously.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4zcIrWjK_Y/V7I-52VdIxI/AAAAAAAACwg/x-pwufNTf6U_bnmsJIvWg_NDggRivj2DQCEw/s1600/CIMG1123%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4zcIrWjK_Y/V7I-52VdIxI/AAAAAAAACwg/x-pwufNTf6U_bnmsJIvWg_NDggRivj2DQCEw/s320/CIMG1123%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-16809414334431828402016-08-15T23:02:00.001+01:002016-08-15T23:02:44.727+01:00Education is the way forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This horse was tripping and couldn't stand properly. An easy fix. Shame that it had to get this far. Can you see what is wrong with the hoof capsule shape?</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARCDkZka9W8/V7I7HT58pkI/AAAAAAAACwI/KN_YKI_7kyorVBW7hv0OnNs7gG7kLatVgCLcB/s1600/2011_0411miscapril0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARCDkZka9W8/V7I7HT58pkI/AAAAAAAACwI/KN_YKI_7kyorVBW7hv0OnNs7gG7kLatVgCLcB/s320/2011_0411miscapril0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-10270384043520838682016-05-23T13:10:00.001+01:002016-05-23T13:10:24.422+01:00Toe Cracks<h2>
Do hooves with WLD, Abscesses, or Seedy Toe need shoes to be fixed?</h2>
This horse had them all and the post relates to a horse I saw several years <a href="http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/hoof-cracks.html" target="_blank">back</a>, but I never showed you the finished product.<br />
<br />
Well here you go. Before and after shots in pairs.<br />
<br />
FYI - this was not achieved overnight and took frequent trim intervals.<br />
<br />
<h3>
View from front</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKdTXtK-1Zk/V0LvuIkEEKI/AAAAAAAACvw/J0FBWtS2F2k4V_-CrBbdmyrFkbPXE1z-gCLcB/s1600/ML%2BLHF%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKdTXtK-1Zk/V0LvuIkEEKI/AAAAAAAACvw/J0FBWtS2F2k4V_-CrBbdmyrFkbPXE1z-gCLcB/s320/ML%2BLHF%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left hind at the beginning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EX9qHM-eIS4/V0LssZ2FPrI/AAAAAAAACvY/w52s5Vr9Sf8bk14T_FwztQtva5aT2NV3QCLcB/s1600/P1050824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EX9qHM-eIS4/V0LssZ2FPrI/AAAAAAAACvY/w52s5Vr9Sf8bk14T_FwztQtva5aT2NV3QCLcB/s320/P1050824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left hind at the finish</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
View from Side</h3>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkLOoFzzvUI/V0Lu5a1sgqI/AAAAAAAACv0/h0BYvhEWR-oD9jJxyrNugmUn-7rRMjXrgCKgB/s1600/ML%2BLHS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkLOoFzzvUI/V0Lu5a1sgqI/AAAAAAAACv0/h0BYvhEWR-oD9jJxyrNugmUn-7rRMjXrgCKgB/s320/ML%2BLHS.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view left hind beginning</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3JJeD7NfZg/V0Ls1GSHtnI/AAAAAAAACvg/51OFNNtopqgNVY3uOhaf0hfHWDh-CL75ACKgB/s1600/P1050825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3JJeD7NfZg/V0Ls1GSHtnI/AAAAAAAACvg/51OFNNtopqgNVY3uOhaf0hfHWDh-CL75ACKgB/s320/P1050825.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view left hind finish</td></tr>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-63036021078127630522016-05-12T10:50:00.001+01:002016-05-12T10:50:21.884+01:00Never say Never x3<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXF_D3cdByY/VzRO399DPwI/AAAAAAAACu4/Kqzyl2VJO4w7QMrLp6VJqD7oRIIIBkSXACLcB/s1600/20160511%2B%2BBarbara%2BYeo%2BPhotography%2BBarefoot%2BSouth-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXF_D3cdByY/VzRO399DPwI/AAAAAAAACu4/Kqzyl2VJO4w7QMrLp6VJqD7oRIIIBkSXACLcB/s400/20160511%2B%2BBarbara%2BYeo%2BPhotography%2BBarefoot%2BSouth-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare still moment</td></tr>
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1 - This is a KWPN I first met aged about 5. Diagnosed Navicular the prognosis was poor and the Vet School advised PTS or at most a year as a light hack on Bute.<br />
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He is now 11 and doing just fine. A sugar sensitive Labrador x Shetland pony of a horse, he weighs in about 750kg, or 1653lb for folks from the US. He stands at 17.2hh, or 178cm in his bare feet.<br />
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2 - The big news is that he can turn out in a herd of 14 on 30 acres of ex woodland. Relatively poor ground on a stonking hill that suits him pretty well. <br />
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3 - He can also jump. The horse it was rumoured couldn't jump, quite clearly can when sufficiently motivated... He decided he wanted to come in and the gate was shut, so he jumped the fence, uphill and out of mud. We found the foot prints. Never say never!Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-82775236642786955792016-05-06T21:14:00.001+01:002016-05-06T21:15:48.427+01:00High Heels are not a good thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
High Heeled Shuffle</h2>
This horse had been lame on/off for two years. The list of issues<br />
was lengthy. Movement resembled an old man with a Zimmer frame.<br />
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Compare the heel height in photo 1 with the good foot in photo 2. You can see the likely consequences for the pedal bone of the hoof in photo 1, even without an x-ray.<br />
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The high heel was added to with a further wedge. Note the event lines and rasped out toe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exj6385Glf4/VyzrOBQhHCI/AAAAAAAACtk/6fuNU7mc8Ioi5hBb_760ntce09kQolZRwCKgB/s1600/DSCF2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exj6385Glf4/VyzrOBQhHCI/AAAAAAAACtk/6fuNU7mc8Ioi5hBb_760ntce09kQolZRwCKgB/s320/DSCF2824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">1 Compare the heel height with that of the photo 2 below</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVIfspOSdnQ/VyzybAf22_I/AAAAAAAACuo/bJqEKhWP1AMUVfcIr6a-uJEOXUEoc8dAgCLcB/s1600/Four.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVIfspOSdnQ/VyzybAf22_I/AAAAAAAACuo/bJqEKhWP1AMUVfcIr6a-uJEOXUEoc8dAgCLcB/s320/Four.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">2 Dissection of an excellent hoof, note hairline at heel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr43-Ck43z4/VyzrN-UekYI/AAAAAAAACtk/6qmhM18IGXA6k0QUASnXOSlzJUT_vT9agCKgB/s1600/DSCF2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr43-Ck43z4/VyzrN-UekYI/AAAAAAAACtk/6qmhM18IGXA6k0QUASnXOSlzJUT_vT9agCKgB/s320/DSCF2802.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">3 Heel is the narrowest point of foot. (incorrect)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mmv9qPV_oqY/VyzrN-5J6VI/AAAAAAAACtk/63kC7vh_ug8r3XFonme-iSp-Mx8uMNTvwCKgB/s1600/DSCF2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mmv9qPV_oqY/VyzrN-5J6VI/AAAAAAAACtk/63kC7vh_ug8r3XFonme-iSp-Mx8uMNTvwCKgB/s320/DSCF2823.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">4 Sheared and contracted heel, note excessive</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> heel height</span></div>
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The shuffling horse became something of a tank on overdrive when shoes were removed. Ridden work commenced earlier than usual in the rehab process because the horse was so strong in hand.</div>
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The photos below are just 7 weeks post de-shoe - change can happen fast in the right circumstances. The owner has worked hard to achieve this. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZWWPLs212c/VyztAoKj9kI/AAAAAAAACt4/50m6HPDpkAUkgEGFZ6YmF94gcNucpNkrwCKgB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZWWPLs212c/VyztAoKj9kI/AAAAAAAACt4/50m6HPDpkAUkgEGFZ6YmF94gcNucpNkrwCKgB/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">5 Same foot, seven weeks post deshoe, note</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">decontraction already happening</span></div>
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3 months post de-shoe and the horse is moving really well. Thrush is still an issue - it had got so deep into the foot under the pads and up into the sheared heel. But it is getting better. Horse jumped out of his field a time or two, so obviously feeling well. Congratulations to the owner for seeing this through and sticking with him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SL0WLA_NYLU/VyzvrtLuLyI/AAAAAAAACuc/ZyPyxGRaKLAg6B8CqmrVPueFMwp9JejuACLcB/s1600/body%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SL0WLA_NYLU/VyzvrtLuLyI/AAAAAAAACuc/ZyPyxGRaKLAg6B8CqmrVPueFMwp9JejuACLcB/s320/body%2Bshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">6 No longer shuffling, hacking out several times a week</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and jumping out of field (boots are overreach not hoof)</span></div>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-39225858268719567352014-10-01T19:21:00.001+01:002014-10-01T19:21:07.222+01:00Rehabilitating large horsesLet's be honest - our judgements do have a habit of being coloured by our personal experiences. It is incredibly challenging to cast our life learning to one side and embrace the new and unknown.<br />
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It's no different with horses.<br />
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I remember having a challenging discussion with a vet regarding rehabbing larger horses. Apparently ponies are easy, but big horses are impossible because they are too heavy for their feet and if the feet are compromised and unshod all is lost. Of course this is based on their personal experience.<br />
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Well this vet needs to meet the horse I worked on today (among others). I've been working with this horse and his carer for longer than I remember.<br />
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In the beginning there was so much wrong, it was hard to believe there was any point in trying to rehabilitate him. Not just the poor state of the hooves - and they were exceptionally challenging, but also the multiple upper body issues too.<br />
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But here we are a couple of years or so (I've lost track of time) and the horse is unrecognisable, except for his enormous 17hh+ presence.<br />
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Sound, his feet are pretty fab. His soles are concave rather than flat. The horn is hard, the hoof wall thick and intact. Frogs are hard and well formed. I can trim his back feet without having to rest his toe on mine. His upper body issues whilst not completely resolved, no longer trouble him to the same extent. He stands straight, no longer loading one foot in preference to the other, no longer routinely pointing. He is shiny, a perfect weight and looks half the age he did when I first met him.<br />
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If horses could smile, he most definitely does. <br />
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I will ask his owner if I can post photos in a future blog. But honestly he looks so good, you'd never believe he had been in so much trouble.<br />
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And if your vet tells you that big horses are too big for their feet and can't be rehabbed - know that this might be the limit of their personal experience, but it isn't fact. This horse and his carer prove otherwise.Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-91420783944842265412014-09-30T15:14:00.002+01:002014-09-30T15:14:32.909+01:00Long toes - a change in perspectiveA lot of comment is made about 'long toes' and many a poor horse has had their toes dumped or worse in an attempt to correct a problem by addressing a symptom without a complete understanding perhaps of the anatomy of the hoof or the consequences of addressing symptoms not cause.<br />
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The following photos are of three different horses, Horses One and Two had a toe shape typically criticised for being overly long. The last one, Horse Three, was considered to be fine.<br />
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<h3>
Horse One<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tCVp7R8xRU/VCp6w6WaN1I/AAAAAAAACqM/m-7gT8E_E10/s1600/P1030847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tCVp7R8xRU/VCp6w6WaN1I/AAAAAAAACqM/m-7gT8E_E10/s1600/P1030847.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long toe? Look at the shape and size of the heel, <br />
particularly the lateral cartilage. Can we just cut the toe off?</td></tr>
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</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kviduK4pEbc/VCp6xPu5IFI/AAAAAAAACqQ/42STju6N4xA/s1600/Lily%2BLFSR%2B23%2B06%2B11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kviduK4pEbc/VCp6xPu5IFI/AAAAAAAACqQ/42STju6N4xA/s1600/Lily%2BLFSR%2B23%2B06%2B11.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the lamellar wedge? The heel is weak.<br />
See picture below. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mehWqZ_n9EE/VCp6xIUOjXI/AAAAAAAACqU/xsHjTnxnk3s/s1600/Lily%2BLFHB%2BEnd%2BMay%2B2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mehWqZ_n9EE/VCp6xIUOjXI/AAAAAAAACqU/xsHjTnxnk3s/s1600/Lily%2BLFHB%2BEnd%2BMay%2B2011.JPG" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collapsed heel - very weak digital cushion and lateral cartilages</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evHRe70Ghuw/VCp7XWyNqDI/AAAAAAAACqk/cZudODVJV2g/s1600/left%2Bfore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evHRe70Ghuw/VCp7XWyNqDI/AAAAAAAACqk/cZudODVJV2g/s1600/left%2Bfore.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same foot a few months later, still in rehab but<br />
compare heel and lateral cartilage with first picture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K18BZyrWGiA/VCp7f2l8eHI/AAAAAAAACqs/YL87V8xgx1Q/s1600/left%2Bfore%2B9%2BAugust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K18BZyrWGiA/VCp7f2l8eHI/AAAAAAAACqs/YL87V8xgx1Q/s1600/left%2Bfore%2B9%2BAugust.JPG" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamellar wedge almost gone</td></tr>
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<h3>
Horse Two</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_QO19jjikk/VCp8P0MNt1I/AAAAAAAACq8/ZnoQQzLVNCg/s1600/LHS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_QO19jjikk/VCp8P0MNt1I/AAAAAAAACq8/ZnoQQzLVNCg/s1600/LHS.JPG" height="320" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this a long toe?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1U8VikGPN-E/VCp8QeBNC9I/AAAAAAAACrA/BjVEJ-ATxuY/s1600/LHSR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1U8VikGPN-E/VCp8QeBNC9I/AAAAAAAACrA/BjVEJ-ATxuY/s1600/LHSR.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar view of above foot. Which bit of the toe<br />
would you cut off to shorten? <br />
Notice contracted heel and thrush</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gKmMYlE7ck/VCp8uIQ_OHI/AAAAAAAACrs/aaLXOQpAyWU/s1600/P1070673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gKmMYlE7ck/VCp8uIQ_OHI/AAAAAAAACrs/aaLXOQpAyWU/s1600/P1070673.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still a work in progress, but notice how the heel<br />
has bulked up apparently shortening the toe</td></tr>
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<h3>
Horse Three</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iueJzzztduU/VCp8p1_2upI/AAAAAAAACrU/3Su22suWIjA/s1600/P1020038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iueJzzztduU/VCp8p1_2upI/AAAAAAAACrU/3Su22suWIjA/s1600/P1020038.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a genuinely long toe. Shod every 6 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwanjJvzh5Y/VCp8sYFe4kI/AAAAAAAACrk/IguqqmXPMfo/s1600/RHF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwanjJvzh5Y/VCp8sYFe4kI/AAAAAAAACrk/IguqqmXPMfo/s1600/RHF.JPG" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of above</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_guS_3c75kw/VCqL1DzxUmI/AAAAAAAACsE/y6Zq9yADjKw/s1600/RHS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_guS_3c75kw/VCqL1DzxUmI/AAAAAAAACsE/y6Zq9yADjKw/s1600/RHS.JPG" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same foot two months later, sound, no longer tripping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So what is often considered to be a 'long' toe is actually one with a shallow angle, often caused by a weak/atrophied caudal hoof. This can be only be properly fixed by developing the back of the foot through proper diet and exercise.</div>
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A truly long toe is often completely missed - they are even considered normal or desirable in some circles. Despite the fact that they can cause secondary problems such as tripping or injury. The truly long toe as shown in Horse Three is easily remedied by a competent HCP.</div>
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Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-17380388119267864112014-09-05T20:05:00.001+01:002014-09-05T20:05:37.088+01:00Barefoot Performance Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tHMRQQ84hqM/VAoIHFakzAI/AAAAAAAACp8/hlyTXrTjYLs/s1600/Award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tHMRQQ84hqM/VAoIHFakzAI/AAAAAAAACp8/hlyTXrTjYLs/s1600/Award.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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This trophy will be awarded at our inaugural Barefoot Performance show this coming Sunday.<br />
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I am so excited to find out who will win it.<br />
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Details of the show can be found here <a href="http://www.pachesham.com/">www.pachesham.com</a><br />
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-87052393714207301642014-07-23T10:10:00.000+01:002014-07-23T10:10:03.392+01:00A day in the life of a Barefoot South student<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi there, I’m Michelle. Some of you will have already met me
and others will have heard that Lucy has taken on a student. Well that’s me and
Lucy has set me the challenge of telling you about a day in the life of a
Barefoot South student, so here goes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6am – I get up early to attend to my four horses. They all
live out 24/7 on a track and are fed ad-lib forage. I’m allergic to hay and
have been trialling them on haylage but after 4 weeks it’s clear that it isn’t
suiting them. All four have lost some of the concavity in their soles and one
of them has developed really soft frogs which are prone to infection despite
daily scrubbing. I’m amazed how much of a difference it’s made but it’s
unquestionable: my lot all grow better feet on soaked hay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8am – Set off to meet Lucy armed with my essential flask of
tea – you never know how long it might be to the next cuppa in this job so best
go prepared!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9am – Our first client is a small native type who has been diagnosed
with PPID. We watch him walk across the stony car park and he walks over the
stones happily. I trim his front feet and he’s an absolute dream; not only does
he pick up each foot easily he actually holds the weight of his own leg which
makes trimming so much easier. He’s an absolute sweetie so we have lots of fuss
and cuddles too, always a bonus. Lucy trims his hind feet as he is a little
arthritic and can find it uncomfortable. I watch as Lucy takes the time to let
him relax his leg to where he finds it comfortable and she trims it there even
if it’s not in the easiest place for her. After trimming we watch him walk on
the same surface again and he’s moving very nicely, a slightly longer stride
than pre-trim. We aim to watch all our clients horses walk before and after
trimming to assess how they are moving and how the trim has altered that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">10am - Our second client has cancelled which leaves us time
to find a cafe and catch up on some admin; booking appointments and responding
to new enquiries. By pure coincidence we find somewhere selling cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12pm – Next up is an established client with a new horse. We
deshod him two weeks ago and tend to leave a couple of weeks before trimming.
His owner meets us direct from a clinic where he’s been moving forward and
striding out better than he did in his shoes. Despite this she’s been
‘helpfully’ told by onlookers that he looks a bit short so she’d probably
better shoe him! He has contracted heels from being shod but has all the
makings of really solid feet. Lucy trimmed him and we then watched him stride
out over the stoney car park really very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1pm – We have quite a long drive to the next client and we
use the time to discuss feet, trimming, nutrition, my horses, Lucy’s horse and
client horses. You name it and we chat about it as both of us are totally
fascinated by our work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.30pm – We’re booked to see a new client with one horse to
deshoe but it turns out to be two clients and two horses to deshoe! These
ladies have clearly done their research which is always a good starting point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One horse has quite contracted feet that look like they’ve
been squished into too small shoes. They feel solid though and I’m sure he’ll
find his way to rock crunching fairly easily. I used to hear Lucy say to
clients “this foot feels lovely and solid” and not really get it. Somehow I
seem to have picked it up though because now I see other people give me the
same blank expression I gave Lucy. She’s right though, after handling so many
feet you can just feel that some are solid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our second new horse is in a bit more of a sorry state. He’s
been through all manner of remedial shoeing and is currently in wedge shoes
with pads. If his feet weren’t in such a sorry state I would find this almost
funny. In order to put the wedges on his heels have been cut very short, so
once shod his hooves are at exactly the same angle as they would have been if
they hadn’t bothered. I presume his pads are to protect his very thin soles,
except I can see knife marks in his sole where someone has tried to carve
concavity into them. Now I don’t need any of my training from Lucy to see that
cutting material off an already thin sole is, at best, illogical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To add insult to injury (quite literally) this horse’s frogs
are so thrushy they’re almost entirely rotted out. His owner was very upset
that no one had told her this was not normal and needed addressing. It was
abundantly clear that if she’d known she’d have done something about it so it
begs the question of why no previous hoof care professional said anything. It’s
a question I can’t answer, but I can tell you it’s not at all uncommon and to
me it’s a clear sign that those hoof care professionals were not putting the
horse first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So after much frog cleaning, applying thrush treatment and
measuring him for hoof boots we wrapped his feet in nappies to keep him
comfortable and his frogs clean until his new boots arrive. This owner has a
bit of a mountain to climb, but she’s determined to do what is best for her
horse, and now armed with the knowledge of how to deal with his thrush and keep
him comfortable I don’t doubt she’ll get there. She’ll have some ups and downs
but we’ll always be at the end of the phone and will drop by if she needs more
support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6pm – We’re in the car and on our way home. After a few
minutes we both start sniffing around and realise we’re covered in thrushy ick
and the car absolutely stinks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7pm – Arrive home and after a quick hello to my partner and
dogs I go out to feed, hay and poo pick for my gang and take a satisfied look
at their lovely feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once home I reflect on the fact that Lucy and I do have to
have some difficult conversations with clients, usually about their horse’s
weight or thrushy feet, or sometimes behaviour. But one reason I decided to
train with Lucy was her mantra: “The Horses come First” and they really do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: A week after this blog post we went back to visit our
deshoe clients and the lad with the thrushy frogs now has small but lovely firm
clean frogs. It’s clear his owner is putting in just as much effort as we hoped
she would and her horse is reaping the benefits already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-68589431230097469152013-12-19T20:53:00.000+00:002013-12-19T20:54:15.530+00:00Taking Bookings for 2014<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UypriMxW-IU/UrNZTZndHYI/AAAAAAAACn0/WhRpimGhbF0/s1600/Diary+2014+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UypriMxW-IU/UrNZTZndHYI/AAAAAAAACn0/WhRpimGhbF0/s400/Diary+2014+image.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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Barefoot South's very own Hoof Fairy is back in harness and taking bookings for 2014<br />
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If you want to treat your horse's hooves to the magical touch make sure you reserve your space.<br />
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Existing clients can use current contact details. New clients click <strong><a href="http://www.barefoot-south.com/contact.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Contact Barefoot South.</span></a></strong>Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-83693886506801277672013-11-29T20:43:00.002+00:002013-11-29T20:48:03.493+00:00Barefoot and bitless police horses.<span class="userContent">At least 3 US police forces have taken their horses barefoot and have noticed far fewer lameness problems enabling the horses to spend more time at work and less time off sick. The photo below, posted with permission of the original poster is of a US police horse on parade.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">If they can do it in the US how come we can't do it here in the UK? It can't be because of diet, exercise, environment or trim. The circumstances for these are pretty much the same both sides of the pond. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="637" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1426231_10152098127122269_2115383800_n.jpg" style="height: 386px; width: 582px;" width="960" /></span><br />
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<span class="userContent">The text below is cut and pasted from a US mounted policeman posting on 'The Right to Trim' FB page.</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The horses we have retired recently, all have been in metal shoes most of their lives. We pulled all of our police horses shoes, but the damage was done on the majority of them that limited their careers as police horses. Remember, a lot of other issues can occur throughout the body of the horse because on the constant nailing on of metal shoes. The ones recently retired were not lame so to say but had hock, back and other issues. </blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My police horse Shadow, aka as Texan Star, has never been shod since we got him un 2002 as a two year old. He was schooled slowly, not rushed into service like a lot of young performance horses, and went to work on the streets as a four year old. He is now 14 and his health record is so far clean of any of the consistent lameness issues we had when we shod all of our police horses. </blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We now look long and hard any horse people want to donate that has been in metal shoes the majority of their lives because we know their careers will be shortened due to being in metal shoes. There are always exceptions but again we would prefer not to roll the dice taking horses in that have been in metal shoes.</blockquote>
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Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-3871363676881200182013-11-07T18:25:00.000+00:002013-11-07T18:26:24.472+00:00Slipping on grass - I don't think soAmazing Mother, daughter and cob combo. They've all worked their socks off and this is one example of the results: <a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_CvksD7gchQ" target="_blank">Eventing Summer 2013</a><br />
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Yes they do get time faults - for going too fast...<br />
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Give them all a round of applause :-)Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-78714695256510955942013-10-24T09:52:00.003+01:002013-10-24T09:52:51.123+01:00Doesn't this horse look fabulous!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWqSegDjAo/Umja5rDmQSI/AAAAAAAACmQ/6HRkYi7w9ts/s1600/Bonnie+at+Pachesham+28.9.13+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWqSegDjAo/Umja5rDmQSI/AAAAAAAACmQ/6HRkYi7w9ts/s320/Bonnie+at+Pachesham+28.9.13+1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You'd never guess she has Cushings (PPID) would you. And neither did the vet. But interestingly, there were a lot of clues in her hooves.<br />
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Her care giver/owner is amazing and honestly I am in awe of the work and diplomacy that has been executed in getting this mare what she needs whilst keeping everyone on board.<br />
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I initially suspected some sort of metabolic problem because despite barefoot protocols being followed the hooves were not responding. Growth was poor both in terms of quality and quantity and the soles were thin and rather soft.<br />
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The mare had a poor topline and other issues which also backed up the idea that all was not well. Prescriptions of protein powders and the other traditional initiatives did nothing to help the mare and the vet was resistant to the idea of testing for PPID as she was quite young. The owner tells me she did consider having her PTS as she didn't want the mare to suffer.<br />
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After much diplomatic negotiation on the part of the owner the PPID test was done, Prascend prescribed and the horse started to recover.<br />
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The picture are of their first ODE one year on. <br />
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Notes on PPID/Cushings</h2>
Even just ten years ago we only suspected our horses may have PPID if they became unusually hirstute and failed to shed properly. Symptoms could, if we were lucky be moderated, but the outlook was poor. <br />
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Today PPID properly controlled doesn't have to be the death sentence it once was.<br />
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We have a PPID test, although it's not 100% accurate and we have Prascend (Pergolide).<br />
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The test has to be done properly and not all vets are completely up to speed with interpretation of the results. So if you suspect your horse has PPID I recommend you read <a href="http://www.ecirhorse.com/">www.ecirhorse.com</a> for the low down.<br />
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In the UK until recently vets would prescribe Pergolide but it wasn't/isn't titrated or licensed for horses. Pergolide has been replaced by Prascend which is both. Horses on Pergolide before the change are allowed to continue on it. <br />
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It is important as an owner or care giver to realise that there are many subtle signs that your horse may have PPID that manifest years before the hairy, curly coat stage.<br />
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Loss of topline, pot belly, lack of energy, difficulty fighting infections, slow wound repair, poor hooves both quality and quantity and particularly a failure to grow a good sole, . The coat may be duller than you would expect.<br />
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Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-34180272241838956422013-09-14T21:30:00.000+01:002013-09-14T21:30:25.359+01:00FootinessTime to update this post; <a href="http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/help-my-horse-has-gone-footy.html" target="_blank">'Help my horse has gone footy'</a> <br />
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Footiness is the bane of many a barefooter, and unresolved footiness, or a misunderstanding of what footiness means are common reasons for shoeing.<br />
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But the world is slowly waking up to the idea that a horse's hooves are a window to her health and it's a sad day when we choose to ignore the warnings we are being given.<br />
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And footiness is a warning, pure and simple, that all is not as it should be. How we react to that warning says a lot about us.<br />
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What I failed to mention in the previous post is that list items 1-6 can cause an inflammatory response, as can adipose tissue. This can cause footiness regardless of how good the hoof is. Long term inflammation also seems to impact on the ability of a horse to grow a good foot, particularly sole. And a thin sole is a problem even if the horse isn't obviously footy. <br />
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If we are lucky, the footiness, including the thin sole sort, is indicating a basic management error (see post highlighted above) and can be resolved relatively simply.<br />
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If you can't resolve the footiness through good management then you need to consider metabolic disease such as Insulin Resistance (IR), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), commonly known as Cushings. I've found that many horses that fail to grow a thicker sole have metabolic problems.<br />
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Also consider what I call FTS, Fat Thigh Syndrome. I've known horses go footy simply from being overweight.<br />
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And if the horse has been out of work for any reason don't forget that the feet need time to get fit. No I'm not being daft, check hoof anatomy, there are a lot of ligaments in the foot and if they are not working they can get out of shape. I've personal experience of that.Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-30555059550262839462013-09-10T18:49:00.000+01:002013-09-10T18:55:42.382+01:00Track livery on private yard in Chobham, Surrey<span class="postbody">Space for one or more unshod geldings. Beautiful track with
natural shelter. Not surfaced, but that will be done in due course. Very high
standard of mains electric fencing. <br /><br />Use of school (not lit), good
quality stabling and tack room. <br /><br />All this in exchange for helping owner
with her horses. This includes poo picking the track and putting out hay.
Mucking out one rubber matted stable and taking bucket feeds to horses on
track. <br /><br />The track is close to the stables so not too much treking back
and forth. Good hacking is available, but you/your horse may have to negotiate some
traffic/cross a road depending on how far you want to go.<br /><br />In the first instance contact <a href="mailto:victoria@roger.com.es" sl-processed="1"><span style="color: #006699;">victoria@roger.com.es</span></a></span>Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-79196115793381036442013-06-02T09:07:00.000+01:002013-06-02T09:07:04.939+01:00Healing heelsThere seems to have been a bit of a 'theme' to recent visits. Lots of new clients, lots of caudal hoof pain. Lots and lots of heels which are stratrospheric in their ambitions.<br />
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Horizontal or near horizontal coronary bands supported by near vertical heels are not a good thing. I have no idea why they are so popular, but in some parts of SE UK they seem almost endemic. It seems boxy feet are fashionable these days, even more so if the hoof capsule can be persuaded to go to 5 inches plus.<br />
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These unnatural edifaces may or may not also be very contracted. They are nearly always bruised to some extent. Not necessarily visible from an external perspective, but the minute the foot is picked up and cleaning commences there it is.<br />
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One I've done recently had more than 1/2 depth of deep purple bruise in his heels both fronts. Yes the poor lad did breathe a sigh of relief when we'd helped him out with that. Took two goes over 3 weeks. All credit to the owner for being able to deal with it. We booted and padded for exercise in between but such was his relief at having his heels seen to I understand he has been going really rather well despite it all. Prior to trimming he had been in so much pain we had to stand him in shavings just to do his feet. Now he can stand completely bare on concrete quite relaxed and happy.<br />
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If you know what you are doing heels are 'easy', but if you don't I can understand why people worry. It is very easy to make a mistake that takes a long time to recover from. I can even understand, although I don't endorse the view, why some people say to leave them alone. Wishful thinking that perhaps they will magically take care of themselves with or without some road work.<br />
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Well in SE it's not happening. Not because people don't try, they really do. I know people who do hours of roadwork, but because the horse is not using their heels properly they don't get worn properly and it all goes base over apex. Then trimming the resulting hotch potch isn't something that can be approached with all guns blazing. If you are going to restore function and comfort it can take time, a lot of skill and often takes boots, sometimes with pads too. And my owners always get homework and I always know if they have done it.<br />
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Remember the mantra 'comfy footsteps'. Progress will be so much faster.<br />
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When I get some time I'll post some heel pictures.<br />
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Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-66463798155382781992013-05-10T21:53:00.002+01:002013-05-10T21:53:59.651+01:00Asymmetry/deviation and balanceBrief intro - previously shod cob. Hooves were 'pretty' when shod, but the horse used to trip. I don't think they qualify as 'pretty' anymore, but horse doesn't trip either. I know which I prefer, for the horse's health and the safety of the rider.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eehE1KX8wUM/UY06mfSoAhI/AAAAAAAAClU/fjIFVZR6WEs/s1600/LFT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eehE1KX8wUM/UY06mfSoAhI/AAAAAAAAClU/fjIFVZR6WEs/s320/LFT.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LFT - balanced?</td></tr>
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Know the difference between flare and asymmetry/deviation? Not everyone does and confusion between the two often leads to unnecessary heartache and drama. It is important to understand why they are different and how each arises. Although if the HCP is practising NHC not too much can go wrong.
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We have reviewed deviation before; basically all the structures are synchronised, but the solar area of the hoof has shifted. This might be en masse to the lateral or medial sides or there maybe a bit of a wibble going on see <a href="http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/deviation.html" target="_blank">here</a>. So long as the horse is sound and the pedal bone is in balance I don't worry too much.<br />
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In an 'ideal' world we might see deviation as an abberation, it does tend to reflect a compensation for another issue maybe higher up. Sometimes if the issue is resolvable the deviation will disappear over time, see <a href="http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/deviated-hooves-now-you-see-it-now-you.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Sometimes the issue has become fixed, it might be wonky legs or an old injury. <br />
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Regardless by applying NHC and with the owners/carers playing their part, the horses I have dealt with have all kept sound and done well.
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Flare is another matter and by flare I mean the flare you see when the white line is stretched.
See <a href="http://so%20long%20as%20the%20horse%20is%20sound%20and%20the%20pedal%20bone%20is%20in%20balance%20i%20don't%20worry%20too%20much./" target="_blank">here</a> where the toe is stretched - seen most clearly in the second to last photo of the series (in the linked post, not this one).
The hoof in the second photo below has flare, from a stretched white line which you can see extends all round.<br />
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It was suggested to the owner of this horse that the hoof was out of balance and that this should be addressed before dire things happened. As you can see from the photos below the hoof is actually asymmetric or deviated from the outside, but perfectly balanced from the solar view. If an attempt were made to dress out the asymmetry/deviation you can easily imagine what might happen. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHfe74blVUw/UY0-iyxKYRI/AAAAAAAACls/olkb1lFvuDk/s1600/LFT+with+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHfe74blVUw/UY0-iyxKYRI/AAAAAAAACls/olkb1lFvuDk/s320/LFT+with+box.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asymmetry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ct5Lkizvu-M/UY06rEmMbkI/AAAAAAAAClc/j3s_YnvsbZ0/s1600/LFSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ct5Lkizvu-M/UY06rEmMbkI/AAAAAAAAClc/j3s_YnvsbZ0/s320/LFSR.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretched white line, foot in balance</td></tr>
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<br />Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512029654494965635.post-18417032647577654632013-05-07T19:29:00.002+01:002013-05-07T19:29:36.795+01:00Credit where it's dueI've been asked on more than one occasion to promote products and/or companies in the body of this blog. For money. I won't do it. This blog is meant to be an educational and discussion tool. It isn't a front for selling.<br />
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But today, I break my rule, but not for money and not because I've been asked.<br />
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Round of applause goes to <a href="http://www.priorsfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Priors Farm Equine Vets</a>. Once again Ben has risen to the challenge presented by <a href="http://danceswithgrace.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Grace</a>. No drama, no second mortgage required, just sensible, horse centered pragmatism. Lucy Prioryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280373786413701480noreply@blogger.com0