About this Blog

Meet my very 1st horse, Lazarus.
I couldn't wait for Santa anymore or ask one more time for a pony for my bday (after age 30 it got embarrassing). I took matters in my own hands and I finally decided to pick a pony that needed a new home. Laz found me as I contemplated with this idea. He was sweet yet very sassy, fresh off the track, Thoroughbred (OTTB).
Join us for our re-training, rehabbing from laminitis and testing all parts of mixed up horsemanship and partnership, and luck...

Friday, March 19, 2010

Boots and smiles are ON!

So today was the day that Cliff our barefoot trimmer was to come out. I was SO nervous to say the least, not to go barefoot, but that this hopeful method wasn't going to work..but I tried to think only positive and kept plugging through my day. I got to the barn an hour before Cliff because I wanted time with Laz and being he was so crazy yesterday, I was nervous he would be uppity again.
Look at this face and that wind blowing mane and that eye! LOL!!! But actually Laz was really great today despite MORE winds today. Go figure, an inconsistent OTTB?! ;)

"Mooooooooooooom!!!"

Laz loved to sniff Cliff...I think he really likes him. Cliff has an amazingly calm quality about him and I'm very impressed and honored to be taken on as he is limiting his clientele due to health issues of his own. He is an awesome man!
One thing that really impressed me about Cliff is his wanting to teach one of the vet students...he is patient and kind. Laz totally picked up on that and was really good (most of the time).

"Hi Cliff, thanks for my mani/pedi"

Cliff removed all four shoes. Typically he usually pulls in pairs but since Laz's laminitis is in his rear, we put the Easy Care Epic's on the back for comfort with thick pads and that will act as his 'shoe'

Ok, so while Cliff worked on Laz he threatened him during his bratty moments to sing to him as torture. LOL!! Loved it! Great sense of humor and great support FOR the horse, and for me!
Oh and that abscess that I've been obsessing over?! Vet confirmed that it already ruptured..there was a teeny tiny hole in his bottom of his sole (right hind) and it's done and over with. There may be more but that was the one we saw on the xrays. Whew!!!! Funny because I've been picking Laz's feet and never saw anything and he allowed me to pick his feet. Maybe it burst on that day he was really sweaty?
Cliff was very good at explaining what he was doing and why. Gave me a tutorial on how to put on and take off the Easy Care Boots. The plan is to keep boots on 24/7 and remove every other day to check on his feet, allow him to walk bare for a hour or so while I'm there, put in Gold Bond medicated powder to help fight against thrush and put boots back on.
Thanks to my Husband who took pictures, tended to the dogs and offered the support that I needed today. YOU ROCK my love!

I couldn't help but think of Forrest Gump with his new boots on! :)
Laz walked out better on these boots than when he walked in with his heart bars....so it really seems like we are moving in a good direction. He walked better, didn't fight or worry about having the boots on. They are a little hard to get on but I think I can handle it and I'm sure I'll get to be a pro at it.

Cliff's goals and now ours:
To open up Laz's pen and allow him the other half which will double his paddock area and eventually get him moving more to help with his healing. Start wrapping his legs less and get him healing without as much support. Take him out of his stall/paddock when I'm out there and walk him in the arena for 10-15 minutes. Start working his mind again and he stresses bonding with your horse (love that) to aid in their healing. His motto is nature has it's way of healing and we are there to aid in that. I am so comfortable with that thinking, it just sits right. Cliff comes back on the 9th of April and stated if I worry or think Laz isn't doing well that he can be out asap for us. BUT, he thinks Laz will be just fine and told me that his goal is to get me on his back, walking around on him quietly, this late summer...hopefully. OMG!!!!
"I'm cool Mom...don't worry."
Oh and happy 6th (we think being he's a rescue) birthday Pudgie!!!! xo
Good day, great day, awesome day!!!!!

17 comments:

  1. I'm soooooo happy for you and Laz. I sure know how hard this is! Ya gotta treat Cliff very well, now! I agree with him 100% on Nature's way of healing and us doing what we can to help (or just not interfere). It's wonderful what can happen. ((((hugs)))) for you and Laz and, well, everyone!

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  2. OH KRISTEN!!!!!! I am gleefully cheering here!!! This is the best post. I love Cliff's idea about you healing Laz by bonding and loving him up. And...he walked out better than when he walked in. What a great image. I have been busy reading about pasturing in a natural way based on the habits of wild horses. Much to say about natural hoofcare. Cliff sounds like he is right in that camp. I am so happy for you and your Laz and all your wonderful support group - husband and barn owners and puppies. Sighing a huge sigh of relief!

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  3. Very exciting - keeping fingers crossed that all continues to go well.

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  4. Yay, yay, YAY!! :-D I've spent all day wondering how everything went and sending you guys good vibes. I wanted to check your site from my phone, but it was low on batteries, so I was very frustrated. SO happy for you and Laz-man that everything went so well!
    I am so glad that you've decided to go this route, and that you've found such a great natural barefoot trimmer. He is worth his weight in gold!
    I am looking forward to seeing pics of Laz in a bigger paddock, getting walked in the arena, and you RIDING him!!!

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  5. Sounds like things went well! I am so glad and I totally believe that the bond you have with Laz can help with healing! Keep us updated!

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  6. What a wonderful update! Keeping good thoughts coming your way.

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  7. OMG!!!! Back to walkikng in the saddle by late summer??? Laz will be sooooo thrilled!!!

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  8. That's wonderful!! Sounds like a great visit! I'm glad to hear things went well and everyone is optimistic.

    It's great that students were able to come out and learn. I love that about MSU. The students there always get to ride along with vets and farriers. I don't see that as much here in NC.

    Hugs for you and Laz!

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  9. Go Laz Go! I hope he continues to do well!

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  10. I really hope this works. The only crazy treatment idea in my mind is to not try any and everything possible. I can't wait to hear how Laz does over the next few weeks.

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  11. Love to see people pulling shoes and going barefoot! Can't wait until it warms up and I can too :) I look forward to seeing his progress. That is so great that he is getting a larger area. Horse really were meant to move. :)

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  12. Sounds like everything is moving in the right direction!

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  13. Okay. Every time I read your blog I just am so happy that I met Pat, and I'm so glad I thought to give you her name and that she knew someone to help you. Gotta love blogs! I can't wait for that first video of you riding Laz!! Yeah!!

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  14. Did anyone metion to you that Laz may get sore, stocked up, or kinda punky-feeling after deshoeing? The circulation in the feet is increased when the shoes are removed and sometimes there is sort of a detox period. Lots of drinking water and some gentle walking on a soft surface helps with this.

    Looking through the pictures again, and I noticed your boots. What kind are they? Did you wear them in winter? How are they in super cold weather? I'm in Minnesota and I haven't found the right winter boot yet.

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  15. Thanks everyone SO much!!! B/c of this blog and finding your fab blogs and reading and sharing, this has led Laz and I to a lot of information that I wouldn't have had!!! :) So many thanks!
    I am very optimistic and think we are really on the right track!! :)
    Yes, Cliff mentioned that Laz may be sore and show new soreness (possibly on fronts which as of today he is still fine) and he is drinking/eating just like normal. Rolling etc.

    Also-my winter clodhoppers boots are AMAZING. THey are by muck boots, and are the Artic Mid boot. I wear an 8.5 but ordered a 9 and happy I did so i can wear thick socks too. My feet were never cold!! They are quite big though so I dont think you can ride in them unless it's bareback..I wouldn't stick them in a stirrup for fear they would get stuck.

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  16. Thanks so much for taking the trouble and answering. I'm going to try some. The whole cold/wet/slush/ mud thing is so hard to find the right boots for!

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  17. Very exciting! Laz seems pretty happy. I hope all goes well for you both.

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