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Discussion on Any thoughts on this...confused again 
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| Author | Message |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 4, 2010 - 10:55 pm: I'm having a backwards year this year..Sam is growing his winter coat in the spring, his summer coat in the late summer, Hank has decided to throw a twist into it too..just because I think I had him figured out I think All summer this has been confusing me and making me scratch my head. Every summer (year after year) when the ground gets hard Hank gets either a little off or usually VERY sore, I would pray for rain so the ground would soften up and he would be comfortable...soft ground is Hank's friend, always has been. WELL this year whenever it rains he is sore (not horrible) for a few days...then goes back to normal when it dries up and gets hard.. it happens everytime it rains!!!! Any thoughts on this??? I was trying to blame it on his soles getting soft...but I don't think so... The reason being his prior LONG history of sound on soft rainy ground and sore on hard ground. SOOO now he is sound on hard ground and off on soft ground...figure that one out! |
| Member: juliem |
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| Member: pattyb |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 - 7:12 am: Patty that is one thing that crossed my mind also, but I don't think that is it, it certainly doesn't act or look like laminitis and once the ground is HARD he is ok again. Plus most of the time when it rains I lock them off the pasture until it dries up so they don't rip it all up.One thing I suspect, is he gets mud packed in his hoof sometimes and that puts pressure on his thin sole...something like snow balls. The only thing is he doesn't always have mud balls when he gets sore, maybe 25% of the time. He is such a flat foot he doesn't collect it well. It has NEVER bothered him before, mud/soft ground always put a spring in his step...even when he was foundering. Julie, not another unsolvable mystery! My mother always said there is a reason for everything...probably why I have to know the WHYS of everything 
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 - 9:17 am: I have an enquiring mind myself, used to drive people nuts asking "WHY??" and it has taken me a life time to accept that some things just are, without a tangible explanation!I think this one may have a logical explanation though. I suspect his sole is softer and he may have enough of a flare yet that as it softens when wet, it becomes more tender. And the grass changes as Patty says. Have you been putting anything like Keratex on his hoofs? I think he's just going through the final stages of adjustment before he has rock crushing hoofs! Don't forget the obvious: Is there ANYTHING off at all on his hoofs right now? A smidgeon of a high spot? Here's something funny: If I suspect one of my horses is off, I start looking for something off from my trimming. So Cody was acting off on a front, so I got my tools out, and it turned out he had a rock in the mud in his hoof!! Hello??  BTW Rachelle, I never knew there was such a career as you described! |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 - 4:12 pm: Angie I believe there is a reason for everything, finding it is another thing! Rachelle that career would suit me well, and I'd like it!!His hooves are far from perfect, but they are in better shape then years gone by, as you know he has been flared and re-foundered year after year, UGLY Hank hooves...BUT they loved the soft ground regardless of how they looked or his pathologies. I don't think it is because of soft soles for many reasons, a few being... he is sound soon as the ground hardens even a little (not a sign of soft soles) His sole is not flexing with thumb pressure anymore, and prior history. I have been using thrush buster on his soles to harden them and it seems to be working. I'll figure it out!!! But any help is greatly appreciated 
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: mrose |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Aug 6, 2010 - 7:38 am: Rachelle I get that What confuses me is WHAT is it about the soft ground that makes him sore? He has always had flared, mishapen hooves, they are actually much better now and soft wet ground never bothered him before. It used to be following a wet spell he would get sore on the HARD ground because of waterlogged soles...now that makes sense to me. I kid you not when I say if it rains one night the next morning he is sore? I have a friend boarding her horse here now, she'd say what's the matter with Hank and I'd say it rained, and she'd look at me like I was nuts... we have a running joke now about the poor guy, OH it rained Hank can't walk...it's just strange....of course  He snaps out of it soon as the ground firms up a little, usually with in a day or 2. I don't even worry about it anymore it is so predictable, but sure would like to know the cause or I may be in for a LOOOONNNGGGG winter!...my big concern I don't think it is the grass, I lock them in the "dry" lot when it rains so they don't rip the pasture up, they still have PLENTY of room to move tho. |
| Member: gramsey1 |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 7, 2010 - 10:24 am: I worked on Hanks hooves this morning before it got up to 100 degrees. His Rt. front definitely had something going on in the heel/quarter area ( the RF is the one he has been more "lame" on.) I tried to fix it and beveled all around, relieved the quarters. His heel doesn't look low to me, but it isn't optimal yet either. Now he probably will be lame on hard and soft ground LOL at least that is normal.. will let you know how this turns out once he wakes up and moves. Rain is expected Sun I believe, I still have more I want to do to his hooves, but starting sweating too bad to see. Farriers/trimmers certainly earn their money!
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| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 7, 2010 - 11:19 pm: The rt front has a blob now . I worked on Hanks hooves some more, the LF looks pretty good, but Rt. front has a blob with a tiny crack running up at the toe like the LF used to. His LF has looked better ever since I started trimming it this winter, but the RF has not been as good, I am still playing catch up with it and it has always been the "cursed hoof" On a good note he and Sam looked much more comfortable and moved much better when I was done ... took a good part of the day off and on to do 8 hooves Gees. I rode hank and he seemed good, he really is coming along again on hard ground. When done trimming I did put hoof heal on all their hooves this rainy, muddy summer is playing havoc on their hooves. Hanks sole seemed quite hard. Now another battle of the blob  . Rain is predicted for Sun. night will see if my trimming helped his mud lameness.
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 10, 2010 - 6:42 pm: Well I believe Dr.O. will probably disagree with this but I think Hanks problem is an abscess in Rt. front. After it rained Sun. Hank became lame again, it's a strange lameness, just off a bit with the RF seemingly worse.... DP and heat involved occasionally. Yesterday he looked a little worse, the ground is hard again and he is definitely sore on soft and hard ground now. This morning he was head bobbing...this afternoon 3 legged. I cleaned his hoof and found nothing wrapped with a poultice, even the pressure of the wrap made him worse. He will NOT let me pick up LF OHHHH I don't want to type this over it is his LF...not RF (someday I will get my Left and right figured out I wonder if that blob disappearing has anything to do with this. I will have the vet out if he doesn't get better soon, but I think it is going to gravel, he has a puffy fetlock, and the vet doesn't believe in digging them out.... |
| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 10, 2010 - 10:51 pm: Thanks Vicki, I feel so bad for Hank, this heat and humidity is really taking a toll on him, even more so then the old ones ( good thing Sam went bald or he would have had a heat stroke) Hank never could tolerate heat well, now the poor guy is very sore on top of it. More flooding rains on the way tonight. I have Hanks hoof wrapped and on soft bedding, I have been giving him a gram of bute AM and PM, doesn't really seem to help him much. I have to hose him down when I get home from work he is so hot. This crazy weather is suppose to "break" Sun. I can't wait, I am so sick of working all day in it, I hose myself off when I do Hank!! If he is still 3 legged tomorrow I will have the vet out.
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| Member: frances |
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| Member: lilo |
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| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010 - 6:41 pm: Vet came this morning and it was easy to figure out where the abscess was with the hoof testers, so he dug and dug and got a little serumy fluid, he said it had gone too deep and he didn't want to compromise Hanks sole any further. Just from the heat in his hoof you can tell where it is. It is about 1/2 inch from his coronet band, is located in his heel/quarter area where the sole is thick. Hank is still moving about, soaked in sweat from head to toe from this heat and humidity. I see a little improvement tonight, vet said with any luck it would continue to drain out the bottom. I left them out for their turnout and once he hit the tall grass he looked pretty good, still a very sore little puppy tho
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| Member: juliem |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 12, 2010 - 10:15 pm: Julie I am a horrible person in this heat ( I don't know how southerners put up with this year after year) winter is actually starting to sound good!Anyway I just left Hanks hoof be. The vet called this morning to see how he was and I said the same . He asked if I had soaked it and I said no, unless you consider hosing the whole horse down soaking it... he said NO. Told him it is too darn hot and I haven't done anything but keep the hole he dug out clean... he said fair enough, they were actually closing early due to the heat!! He has hoped that maybe it had continued to drain a little. Tonight Hank did Look MUCH better, his puffy fetlock had gone down and the DP and heat were much less . He isn't 3 legged anymore but still has the "stutter step" once in awhile he'll "trip" on it like he stepped wrong on it, but at least it is improvement. I didn't find anything at his coronet band and the pared out area isn't draining as far as I could tell, so not sure if it will flare up again or not, plus I still have him on bute AM and PM. Will take him off it this weekend when I am around to see how he does without it and it is FINALLY suppose to cool down starting Sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope he is better so I can start riding again next week. |
| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Aug 13, 2010 - 9:12 am: VERY sore again this morning
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 - 4:43 pm: Hank seems to be almost back to normal. Taking away the PM bute tonight to see how he looks in the morning without it. He is letting me pick up Rt. front now too. He walked on gravel today and didn't look too bad. We had rain soft nor hard ground seems to make a difference. I still have not seen anymore drainage, bad mom that I am lately I didn't even wrap it Hope he's good without the bute tomorrow!
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| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 - 8:58 am: Thanks Rachelle. Didn't give Hank bute last night and he is quite sore again...sigh. Will poultice and wrap today to see if I can get any kind of drainage. I didn't think it could have gotten better without draining, wishful thinking I guess. The funny thing is the heat in his hoof seems to be gone, tho he still has a pretty strong DP in that one.
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 - 3:59 pm: Well now I am not sure what to think But what I feared would happen did, his RF is now sore from excessive weight bearing I am sure, I sure hope this doesn't turn into laminitis. I decided to treat it as such and put him up in a deeply bedded stall. Hank isn't obese by any means I can feel his ribs and they haven't been having much grass time due to rain and heat. I asked the vet when he was here if he thought it was founder and he said NO. It was quite obvious his LF was painful. According to hoof testers at that time Rt front was fine with no DP or heat. On LF no pain at the toe just where the abscess IS/was... what do I do now!!!! I have him in boots and pads, gonna start his bute back up. tonight. Rt front seems worse then his LF now unless he is getting an abscess in that hoof now. He isn't taking the typical founder stance, just very short walking and tripping when he hits something hard. |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 - 4:03 pm:    forgot to add these, cuz' this is exactly how I feel. WHY can't he be sound for just one summer!!!!
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| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 - 10:44 pm: Diane,I think Tango is sneaking online and reading about Hank's hoof pain! And maybe his new name is "Mimic?" I swear this wet, hot, humid summer has all my horses' hoofs looking UN-normal. But Tango seems to be doing some short striding, acting ouchy, DP's come and go, and next time I watch he's walking like he's got his tail on fire! Striding along just fine, thank you. I don't have any advice, just miserizing with you! Poor Hank. Poor you. Dry weather will help those darn hoofs. I think we all need FALL! Hang in thar. You can only do what you can do. |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 - 11:12 pm: I tell ya he had me paniced this morning, I thought for sure he was foundering. Put him in the stall/ paddock area with some thick shavings and he thought he was quite special. Beautiful day today ...finally and I spent most of the day outside and kept an eye on Hank, He walked on the hard paddock, parked by the gate, cocked his back leg and watched the other horses...HMMMMMM looked quite comfy and that was after I took his boots off and hadn't given him any bute yet. I decided to let him back out...he is NOT foundering. He walked out slowly with a short stride (into the dry lot), when I fed supper the hog managed to trot just fine on the hard ground so he could get to the feed and hay first. I took him for a hand walk and he trotted just fine and very willingly on the lawn. We crossed the black top rd. and he really looked pretty good  He stands square for the most part, but once in awhile points the LF and seems to want to take weight off of it. I have been giving this some thought and I think I know what his problem is. His soles have become rather soft with all this rain. When we had our flooding rains a whole bunch of sharp gravel was washed into the dry lot...when he steps on a piece, it about brings him to his knees, I wonder if he hasn't bruised his soles. He is fine in the pasture, a little short strided in the hard limestone paddock and can't hardly walk in the dry lot where all the gravel is.... and where they spend most of their time! When I leave them out to pasture he gallops out, bucks, farts and has a good old time...back in the dry lot...he can hardly walk. I have been hesitant to add sole toughener in case he has an abscess that needs to drain out... We have a dry, much cooler and less humid spell starting today and boy did it feel good!!!!!! Maybe I will try the sole toughener again and see if it helps.. and rake up the gravel...he can't tolerate it, especially THAT gravel it is pointy and very sharp...... hope that works. Angie sorry Tango is acting like Hank...but in a way I'm glad to hear someone else is having the same problems.
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2010 - 7:20 am: I think they are perhaps related through some very distant uncle 4 times removed or however that works?? I have to be gone all day, so of course things can't be simple and just let the horses out to graze! Like you, I thought founder because I finally had them grazing 24/7...nope...he's cool, no DP's, walking fine this morning. I of course checked hoofs last night, gave some Bute (which would be out by now, it was later afternoon actually) I touched up his bevel, just in case, and eyeballed every hoof about 20 times just in case there was a high spot. And, he also was standing with his LF forward! WHY do we always have to have one who drives us nuts? I think it will be very interesting to see how this plays out with the rain, heat, and humidity gone! I bet Hank's hoofs harden right up; just need to deal with that abscess. It is in the 50's here, I actually put a coat on to go out to the barn. The horses look all furry like winter is coming! BTW, I have been putting iodine on his hoofs, but like you it's not been consistent, just was too dang hot & humid!!! I am putting the Keratex on now. I am curious about something: How is Hank on the sweat meter when it's hot & humid? Tango is always the first one wet with sweat...would there be something to a horses level of sweat/heat tolerance that affects the hoofs? As in his hoofs may be the first to feel warm, and the DP goes up then too? And next the ouchiness occurs? I bet a week from now Hank will be sound! I hope so with great riding weather here finally. |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2010 - 7:32 am: That is so funny, Hank is a terrible sweater, he has been wet from head to hoof every day, The sweat runs down his hooves to the ground. The other ones don't sweat half as much as Hank, even the older ones tolerated it better than him.58 degrees here this morning and it does feel a little chilly, but very nice! I hope we are done with that heat, it was unbearable. I hope your right about him being sound soon I think we are suppose to go back to hot and humid the end of the week This time of year it is hopefully the last of it! Just hope we don't go straight from summer to winter!
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| Member: ossabaw |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2010 - 10:16 am: Diane,I am glad you got a ride in! I was stuck shopping in a HUGE mall with my daughter. Yuck. I think you may have solved Tango's on & off again lameness with your comment about thin soles. I skimmed through some of your other posts and I see a pattern here with Tango: Work in the HARD round pen, he's sore the next day. Plus all the weather factors, very similar to what Hank was doing, minus the abscess. Skipping the details as it's Hank's discussion and it probably don't cheer you up knowing you helped me, and Hank is still sore.  I say we both report back in a week or two IF we continue to have dry weather, and keep treating the soles. I bet both of our guys are sound as can be! And maybe you can avoid spending for the boots? |
| Member: vickiann |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2010 - 5:33 pm: Angie I guess I will never know, it has been raining most of the day, Hank was on the mend it seemed, we'll see what tomorrow brings. I do know I am going to get some boots ordered soon as I decide which ones!Thanks Vicki, It was very nice to ride again
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 18, 2010 - 8:54 am: Diane,We've got 3 days of rain coming it looks like. I REFUSE to order boots, if I can't figure out how to get and keep my horses hoofs hard enough to keep them sound, I'd better sell the horses! Horses live in all kinds of environments in different parts of the world, so I am finding this very frustrating as I know you are. Vicki, I swear both ME and the horses have gained weight this summer, and gotten out of shape...grrrrr... Pray for beautiful fall with an extended Indian Summer. Hopefully that lasts til December, lol! |
| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 19, 2010 - 3:32 pm: No bute last night or this morning and he continues to improve...of course lots of rain predicted for tomorrow...his boots are suppose to get here tomorrow also. I hope they fit . After our last rain he got a little sore again...wish I could figure out why rain = a sore Hank horse. I think I can rule out laminitis, navicular, or anything too insidious because he always gets better until it rains again  I do believe he has bruised soles and am leaning towards the possibility of the rain softening his soles and then he gets mud balls pressing on his thin water logged soles. I may lock his butt in the lean-to for the next rain just to see if he remains sound if his hoof doesn't get water logged and then mud balls.... Another Hank experiment 
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| Member: lilo |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Friday, Aug 20, 2010 - 9:59 am: Your little rain cloud is my world today...sigh. I need a giant umbrella here.Diane, I am curious about something: Do you keep a log of Hank's DP's? Strength of, pasture conditions, weather, work load, etc? (And your assignment is...lol!) How often is he lame with the pounding DP? Is there an elevated DP without lamness too? I have checked for DP's being stronger, along with hoof heat alot this summer due to the weather conditions. This morning I don't get it: Cody and Tango have noticeable pulsing DP's. Willow has none. Cody and Willow were rode last night In a rocky but very soft/muddy field, and crossed the gravel road twice. They grazed on LOONG pasture from about 11:30 last night til 7 this morning. I point this out wondering if there is a pattern with Hank? Or do some horses get an elevated DP from different circumstances? Is Hank's DP acting stronger/faster from riding? Grazing? Wet pastures? Hard ground? Before I started trimming, I never worried about DPs. If a horse acted lame, I cleaned out the hoof, and checked the leg then. Geesh but life was simple then, lol! Have to do some of my own research and this may warrant another discussion.
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| Member: mrose |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Aug 20, 2010 - 5:26 pm: I haven't made a log, but have kept mental notes on Hanks digital pulses. My experience with him is if he has a stronger DP (not faster) he is lame or is going to be. He has 3 stages of DP's in my head. The first one is a little stronger than normal, but no lameness usually occurs with it... usually brought on from harder than normal ground.The medium DP gets my attention and usually a slight lameness is apparent with it...sometimes this lameness(stiffness) gets better and sometimes it moves to stage 3. VERY bounding pulses I can see them without even feeling for them...something needs to change fast when we get there or he is going to be dead lame quickly. Things that bring on these DP's are lush grass, hard ground, bruised soles, snow balls,walking on soles from a bad trim...ect. My job is to figure it out and fix it quick or we start a snowball of dead lame Hank and laminitis. Have avoided that so far this year, but it is a battle, especially with all this rain... pastures are lusher than normal, soles are water logged and soft, and he is not getting enough exercise because it's too darn HOT and humid for me and him! Lessons I have learned...from Dr.O.... keep the DP in it's place...so a low to medium DP with no lameness is just closely monitored, and maybe a few changes made if I suspect diet, ground or whatever...usually they will go away if environment and diet is kept under control and exercise implemented. Exercise will usually get rid of the low to mediums...that boy has to be exercised fat or not! The throbbing high DP's usually need immediate attention.. whether it be protect his soles, remove from grass,...depends on what I THINK is causing them and sometimes not real easy to figure out. A short trim will set his DP's off terribly. At this point this year I am actually kind of proud that he hasn't foundered yet ( that's sad isn't it) but it really doesn't take much to set that boy off and so far he has remained barefoot, although I will admit shoes have sometimes looked pretty good  Sara I have learned from Hank by paying attention to details I can avoid disaster, it's the learning curve that is hard!!! |
| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Aug 20, 2010 - 8:19 pm: Got a few pics to turn out...I'm not so sure I like this camera.The gouge at 2 o'clock is where the vet dug his abscess out. His toe is long and I can see he needs some work...but considering they have been pretty much ignored for a month not too bad. I beveled him a couple times lightly and brought his bars down a little. Actually at this point I think I could make his hoof look pretty good, but with this on again off again lameness I hesitate to touch them   looks a like he may be walking on his sole a bit  Picture of the hog, while he isn't thin by any means, he isn't bad and is muscling up nicely...he weighs about 300#'s less than 2008 or whenever that was I had his weight watchers diet.. He goes a solid #975's is 15hh and very quarter horsey built, BCS stays around 6 
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| Member: quatro |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 - 4:00 pm: Hi susan, Hank and Levi do seem to have themselves similar problems. The flies are HORRID this year and I'm sure the stomping isn't helping a thing. Today I cut the toe out of an old pair of knee socks, put them on Hanks front legs and secured them with a bit of vet wrap...he went right to sleep he was so happy to get the flies of his legs.We missed the rain last night...went south. So my experiment is to see if quitting the fly stomping will help him. Hanks fly boots...these are made by cutting the toe out of an old pair of socks and wrapping vet wrap at the top..they have been staying up, he isn't sweating under them...I have so many old socks..they all are going to get a pair, also keeps the bots off of Hanks legs...they totally drive him insane. I like these,so does he, and they cost nothing!  
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 - 5:56 pm: Hank is improving quite quickly now, he isn't trying to sidle onto all the soft grass. If he hits a rock he "trips" a bit but otherwise starting to look much better. His DP's had been in the stage 3 mode for awhile. I paniced, locked him up and started soaking hay for him...once I settled down I realized that this is NOT founder, it acts nothing like founder. I do believe it is bruised soles. He has been back out, I only paniced a few hours LOL. He walks, trots on hard pasture ground and the hard limestone. He gallops and plays out in pasture doesn't ever take the founder stance... just kind of strange...to match this gawd awful summer I guess.Yesterday his DP's were at stage3 and had me quite worried. I put his "socks" on this morning, his DP's were at stage 2 when I put them on. I checked early this afternoon (when I took the pics) and they have come down. I am curious to see what tonight brings. It is SOOOO hot and humid here again, the biting flies are horrible, the other 3 are stomping like crazy. Fly spray works for 5 mins. We haven't had flies like this for a long time. I suppose stomping on hard ground all day with thin and no doubt bruised soles could do this. I am going to put the socks on the others tomorrow, Hank is sooo happy in his! I'll report if the dp's have gone back to "normal" tonight. Angie, Hank weighs 975#'s per the weight tape, he may be more, but that is what I go by,. at least I know if he gains or looses weight. His weight can be a bit decieving he is built "big" like the welsh pony in him. Keeping him at 1000#'s or less(on the weight tape) is imperative for him. He looks Good at about 900#'s on the tape so he is bigger than I like
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 - 6:11 pm: P.S. the horse that is boarded here is an arabian mare, hooves of steel (no pathologies). She has had an abnormal DP too. Her owner said she had never felt them like that..that horse stomps all day and her hooves are breaking out, she isn't quite as enthusiastic about hard ground as she once was. Granted not half as bad as Hank, but she doesn't have Hanks lovely hoof!That made me feel a little better, not her owner tho
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 - 10:31 pm: Rachelle I don't think duct tape would work. I did consider that about the vet wrap, I moved it so it is completely on the sock, that seemed pretty safe and I only put one wrap around on. If he wouldn't rub his head on them they would stay up without help Well here's an interesting tid bit, I went out late afternoon and checked his pulses while they were still higher than I prefer they have definitely come down significantly and he was moving well. My friend called and asked if I wanted to go for a ride, I said sure, couldn't decide whether to put Hanks boots on or not. I decided not to since we were going to mostly be pasture riding on grass(short grass and HARD GROUND), and maybe cross the paved road. Once we got going I could feel he was little tentative on his hooves.. I had the most hellacious ride I have had on him in well over a year. He was right back to VERY horned Hank!!!! a TOTAL nightmare. NOW I wonder if his hooves ARE involved in this horned behavior. I also hope I didn't bruise his soles further... I am so dumb sometimes!!!! We are going on the same ride tomorrow WITH the boots on and see how he goes...this may reveal alot. as long as I didn't cripple him up with my stupidity. IF he goes back to good boy Hank...I have to think maybe his hooves have been involved in this horrible behavior all along. (he was VERY VERY bad!) at least I was able to stay on and not kill myself again...sigh |
| Member: mrose |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: cheryl |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 10:52 am: I thought compression socks too.Or big rubber bands, lol! I remember as a little girl wearing knee high socks and then using rubber bands to keep them up when the elastic stretched out. I wonder if a sock for athletes would be better? Don't soccer players wear long socks? I know, I know!! Those knee support bands! The ones the hold the knee cap up. Have to attach it to the sock somehow... Heck, we have some of those even. They Velcro shut, and I know they come in pink and black for sure, ;-). Wonder whose sock drawer I can raid? 
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 11:18 am: Cheryl Hank could use a girdle. I looked at compression socks, too expensive. I got a different pair of girls knee socks... and some other devices for $1.50...will see how they work. Angie Yes I have developed a slow feeder in my mind, once it cools down I will get it together (very easy project, or so it seems in my mid anyway)) and show you my great inventiveness LOL |
| Member: mrose |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 12:19 pm: OK these new socks are going to do it They had them on mark down at Wally world for $1, I believe I am going to go get some for Flash and Sam too! I had to giggle how perfectly his fetlock fit right in the sock heel area..perfect fit. The other horses have already started their incessant stomping. I don't know if it is having the cows near by or what for sure, but those biting heel flies are terrible...Hank is happy...even tho he was an A$$ last night, I should take his socks off and give them to a good horse 
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 12:21 pm: We should have an invention thread. Rachelle I have been thinking about your nailess shoes... we'll come up with something!!
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 12:30 pm: I should have known someone already has the idea...the summer whinny's..$47The walmart socks $2 for front and back I kind of like these! https://www.whinnywarmers.com/announcing.html |
| Member: mrose |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 12:43 pm: Rachelle, I have a set of those wraps also and love them! They are fantastic for work outs and for shipping also. They give support, but you don't have to worry about getting them too tight. Fool proof! Just what I need! Diane, what brand are those Wally World socks? What are they called? Like, where do I find them without wandering through 10 departments? |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 1:03 pm: I found them on special in the ladies dept. They are faded glory knee highs size 4-10 71% cotton, 25% poly, 1% rubber LOL. They are still up and he is out marching around the pasture. Just cut the very tip of the toe off, roll them up like a nylon and put them on. I'm off to buy the rest of them. Just wanted to make sure they stayed up and they are.
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| Member: mrose |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 3:29 pm: Well I must say I think this fly stomping ,may have been at least part of Hanks problems, he is moving much better since using the socks, the pulses are still higher than I prefer...but retreating. Boots for the ride tonight...I sure hope I live through it, last night was very ummm challenging.Dr.O. for previously foundered horse with thin, quite often wet, soles is it possible that constant fly stomping could make them lame? I can almost hear his coffin bone rattling on the sole every time he stomped .
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| Member: mrose |
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| Member: gramsey1 |
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| Member: mrose |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 5:24 pm: Good thing we don't all shop at the same Walmart. They might have to call security to stop the fight over socks!
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 5:26 pm: Try google images, loads of pictures of "jeggings"Guy, just don't go for the guy version of jeggings and we'll all keep talking to you!! Interesting that any longer socks that have a thin heel, or just don't appeal to anyone any more, those socks have a 2nd life in the barn as horsewear! I like those whinnywarmers! |
| Member: mrose |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 7:42 pm: Well, I'll be!! Never heard the term before. Just thought you hit a wrong key and meant "leggings!" That craze hasn't hit So. Utah yet. We're still into Wrangler, boot cut and rodeo style for the most part!
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 11:06 pm: WEll here is the result of my sock experiment and no stomping for the weekend.. I am very pleased. When I looked out the window earlier 3 horses were flying around the pasture nuts....Hank was the one who wasn't. When I went out later all 3 without the socks had been attacked by bots. Their legs had many many eggs on them. Hank didn't have a one I wasn't able to go get more socks due to calving difficulties...that time of year again! When I went out to feed, Hanks sock had come down to mid cannon but were still doing their job well. His DP has returned to near normal He is still a little tender but improving.. My incidental experiment involving...VERY VERY bad Hank when on a ride with no boots and tender hooves. Tonight the boots went on, I had a VERY WONDERFUL ride on Hank, he walked so much more free, he didn't trip and cringe on hard ground and rocks. Loose rein all the way and no beyond bad antics. He was my good boy again. Now if someone would have told me a year ago that Hank was a horned one because of his hooves I would have disagreed adamantly. I would have said he is just a nut case (and he is a bit of a one). His eyes told the whole story tonight tho, they were soft and happy...Last night they were wild and unforgiving...his hooves hurt...how weird is that. Very revealing experiments this weekend, I expect to have a sound Happy Hank horse again soon. |
| Member: canter |
Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 7:21 am: Very clever, Diane. I've been meaning to order new fly boots for Sparkles and just haven't gotten around to it. Thanks to you, all I need to do is raid my sock drawer. The issue I have is that I board...they already think I'm a bit nutty when it comes to her......can't wait to see the response when I put Sparkles in socks. BTW, the bugs are horrendous here, too. Don't be surprised if Hank grew back his horns because of the flies, not just his hooves. Twice last week I took Sparkles out to the open fields to cool out after work. The first time I was able to hold her back after she started to spin and get her walking back to the barn. But I thought she was going to blow. Second time, I had to get off. This is very un-Sparkles like behavior and I can only attribute it to the mosquitoes that were swarming her face. She usually LOVES to go out into the open. First time in a very, very long time that I felt unsafe on her. I might have to give it up until after the first frost, and stay in the arenas - really bums me out. |
| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 4:23 pm: I don't think it was bugs, they didn't seem bad when we went, took the same path last night too, to keep the experiment scientific. I really don't know for sure what his problem was the other night but he was Horrible. Last night the only thing different was I put his boots on. The time of day was even the same. Whatever it was I am glad good boy Hank is back, and his "lameness" improving everyday. |
| Member: scooter |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 24, 2010 - 6:11 am: I got some socks for Sam and Flash, they don't have as big of legs as Hank, their socks fall down a little further then Hanks by the end of the day, I may tape the top of theirs.My boarder was scared to put socks on her mare, she thinks she will go nuts with them on??? Everyday she is covered in bot eggs on her legs. My horses had a few on their manes...nada on their legs The farrier is coming Weds. I'm hoping he won't lame Hank up further, this last lameness started with his last trim
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| Member: frances |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: mrose |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 24, 2010 - 1:23 pm: Sara we established that long ago..farrier is NOT allowed to use nippers on Hank. His rasping leaves a little to be desired also I really didn't see anything wrong with what he did last time, usually I go behind him and bevel, but didn't last time.
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 8:07 am: AS luck would have it Hank is finally 100% this morning..pulses are gone and he is even moving pretty good on hard ground...he definitely needs a trim, debating whether I should let the farrier touch him or try to slowly catch up myself. I think his socks are helping him, stomping was not helping his situation. He likes his socks, where the other 2 push theirs down. They still cover their fetlocks and lower cannon, they hardly get any bot eggs, but the boarders horse is literally covered every day, so they are doing their job anyway
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 10:07 pm: Round and round we go, Hank was very lightly rasped just a little flare removal and he is sore again I warned the farrier how he's been and to just clean him up a bit.. he was very conservative. I did bevel him afterwards, his flares are really improving, but the more we get rid of them the lamer he gets... what's up with that?? He really doesn't have enough wall I think that is his problem, the farrier didn't remove anything he shouldn't I didn't think... I suppose removing the flare removes the wall, and that could be the problem??? He is sound with his boots so we went for a nice ride tonight, I hope he gets over this quicker then he did last time the poor guy,
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 10:51 pm: OH MY, so I was looking around to see if I could find anything to help me understand Hanks current situation, I think I found the possible problem, and quite possibly why Mr. flat foot remains Mr. flat foot. When the vet was here for Hanks abscess and cleaned his WL off it was quite obvious he has a very nice tight WL.. except right at his toe. From the toe back I was very impressed, even the vet commented on it. I did have a fleeting thought that if he has flares shouldn't his WL be stretched there?????? but the thought left as quick as it came, we had an abscess to find! As some of you may have followed this VERY long saga of Hanks hooves, I have mentioned when he was young and had absolutely no pathologies, when he got trimmed he would be lame... the barefoot guy I had was neurotic about flares. Hank always has had a bell foot.... I don't know what to say here except at this point I think I/and the farrier are approaching these "flares" all wrong. Dr.O. do you agree with this article... it does make sense in Hanks case anyway. https://www.tribeequus.com/flares.html Dang, I had a gut feeling something was not quite right, he really doesn't look flarey any longer (except his toe) I think he is trying to get his bell hooves back. Time to start listening to Hank I think....... 
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| Member: ajudson1 |
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| Member: rtrotter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 - 7:37 am: Angie I think the point is to make sure it is a flare that we are getting after. It's kind of funny my vet said when he was here to maybe not touch Hanks hooves for a couple mos. except to roll the toe a little. The thought of his flares coming back just wouldn't let my mind do that. Hank DID have some nasty flares as you know. The last 2 times the farrier was here, it looked like he had flares, but then again it didn't, each time all the farrier did was remove the flare and lightly rasp, he hasn't been doing anything else.What I find interesting is Hanks bell hoof he HAD, he was sound with his bell hooves, the barefoot farrier always rasped his "bells" off. Hank was always lame then too. This is when he was young with no pathologies. I think all I am going to do with Hank is use the riders rasp occasionally to keep his shape and put a light bevel on and leave it at that, I THINK Hank is now trying to grow the hoof he needs since we finally have most of the diseased hoof out of the way. I have to get this under control with the hard winter ground around the corner, or I am going to have me one LONG winter with him. I am going to see what he wants to grow, I think he wants the hoof he was born with...a bell hoof, maybe not the best hoof there is, but that is what he seems to be genetically programed for. I had one other horse MANY years ago that had that bell hoof and she had rock crushers...her bells weren't rasped off HMMMMMMMMM
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 - 7:45 am: Rachelle, I was posting when you were, I think you are right this is the last piece of the Hank puzzle. I think once we get over this new soreness we will be on our way... I hope and think I finally understand it much better. His pathologies are pretty much under control now, I think finally it is time to let Hank have his Hank hoof we'll see where that takes us.
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 - 7:57 am: PS I forgot to say I am VERY excited about this, it means ( I think) that the war has been won with his pathologies...thanks to you all... I hope you don't have to ever hear another word about Hanks hooves...and I have a feeling we are finally on the right track...when he gets over this lameness. I'm hoping come winter I have a sound bell hooved horse!! and I think I will....
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| Member: kpaint |
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| Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 - 7:46 pm: Diane, I am going to be off line for about a week...however will I live?? HA HA!! Before I am shut down I just wanted to add some "What IFS" to your discussion. What if we just trimmed our horses hoofs every 6 weeks, pretty much a pasture trim, slight bevel? What if we let them graze as they wanted (as long as it's not pure clover or alfalfa) and let them get a bit fatter in the summer? In the wild they do I bet to prepare for winter. I was watching mine graze this morning after I walked the pasture. They haven't been just eating the clover areas, I can see grazing all over. (not much clover left) My horses were never sore or tender when I had a regular ol' farrier guy who did a pasture trim. They grew out lots of wall at times, but when it was cut off, no one was ouchy. Seems since I've been beveling, and monitering pasture time, killing off clover, etc., their hoofs have flares, and some ouchiness. So my big WHAT IT: What IF we trust them to moniter their grazing, and trust that their feet will take care of themselves a bit? I know you worry about founder; so maybe it's different for Hank. I dunno.... I found that last article you posted the link to got me thinking, along with some other things I've been reading. I do hope you post about Hanks rock crunching bell shaped hoof in the future, lol! |
| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Aug 27, 2010 - 8:32 pm: I did bevel Hanks hoof the night the farrier came this time, he has been sound since the next morning, I don't know if it was the bevel or what for sure, he was quite/VERY short strided when the farrier got done with him. I kid you not when I say he just rasped slivers off his hoof, barely anything. I looked at his hooves tonight and I think they look remarkably well I will try to get some decent pics this weekend( I'm going to see if my old camera will work enough to get some) and put them in his Final chapter of the hoof critique threads... I really like the way his hoof is looking now, he is sound again (but not rock crushers) but at least he isn't tripping/ cringing on them again. I would like to get Dr.O.'s opinion if he thinks we have finally gotten past the founder fall out and LTLH synDrOme he had it all ( I sure hope we have) |
| Moderator: DrO |
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| Member: scooter |
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| Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Aug 28, 2010 - 10:57 am: Scrubbed Hanks hoof well, got very good pics with my old camera (I think) but can't find my usb cord that goes to this camera I hope I don't have to do it all over again with the new camera...I just can't get good hoof pics with it for some reason
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