So on 9/24 Laz showed signs of an abscess..but shockingly enough in his LH, which is typically his good hoof
Well, why not change up the drama a bit?
He wouldn't walk on it, his leg was swollen from hoof to hock. I had the vet out the next day just to make sure it wasn't a torn tendon. It wasn't.
It took about a week (should have taken less but I finally broke down despite being told not to do it, and did my abscess pulling trick; soak hoof, dry, slather on ichthammol, put a plastic baggie on, and boot for 24 hrs)
It took about a week (should have taken less but I finally broke down despite being told not to do it, and did my abscess pulling trick; soak hoof, dry, slather on ichthammol, put a plastic baggie on, and boot for 24 hrs)
Oh, and I also removed bar. Like a ton of bar.
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Abscess popped after booting. Minor swelling lasted another 24 hours (cold hose, yes why not?) and there were two exit points. One at coronary/hair line (see below) and one on lateral quarter where he was jammed.
Damn.
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I made a decision to start trimming him on my own for a while. There are things that I think he likes/needs and I'm going to buck up and do them.
Bars; very conversational but Laz's seem to impact/fold quickly and then cause issues. I am doing to ramp them to encourage proper height/placement. With him being on grassy/sand pasture he can't really wear them down on his own. I've left them and they cause issues.
Take this hoof for example; his LF (splat foot being his RF is a club)
When I don't take out bars/ramp to sit up...he lands more toe forward. He had in fact 2 weeks of a slightly swollen tendon. After removing bar slowly over a few days, he stood more square and swelling went away. Hmmmm
Balance; he has seemed out of balance to me as of late. Toes too long, medially to lateral balance off, so being that I see angles as a career, I'm going to tackle this on my own to see if I can get him in a better spot. We'll see how this goes
Sometimes, like Pudgie shows below...you just have to stop and think...
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This is why I'm here:
I'm amazing what going back and looking at old photos does.
This was his RH back in 2012
To me, a much better/healthier hoof to what was in August, below
Damn.
My last trimmer and I saw most things eye to eye (removing dead tissue/aggressive bar, keep toes backed up, etc) and so I'm doing back to her route of thought/practice
I'm not happy with his hoof especially after the last cast which basically girdled his hoof.
I'm not happy with his hoof especially after the last cast which basically girdled his hoof.
So, by removing the hoof wall and dead/damaged laminae I'm hoping to get a better/new growth and connection
Saturday below:
Wed, sprayed with Thrush spray (keep in mind he is on turnout so it's impossible to keep 100% clean but I'm chasing it)
Saturday below, compared to...
To Wednesday...see that hairline?? GROWTH? Already a better angle?
We'll see....
I'm watching toe/heel balance, everything...I know more toe can go but I'm trying to give him days to adjust to things that I'm doing vs all at once.
Wed sole shot
He is showing no signs of lameness or issue..in fact he's happy to roam and munch
He will be having many soaks coming up to keep bacteria at bay and encourage new growth
Wish us luck!
Laz is making you into a master trimmer! You've got guts woman!!! What do you use for soaking (bucket, bag...)? Need to treat some white line over here :-)
ReplyDeleteGuts..eh, more like determination ;)
DeleteI use a dry bag that you buy at camping store/REI and then I seal it around his leg with a standing wrap just to trap the gas (clean trax) for 40 min. He's a pro 99% at just standing and allowing it.
Otherwise other soaks you don't need to trap the gas, and you can use just the dry bag, or even just a bucket if they will allow
The new angle looks very good. You're not insane, just trying to do the best you can.
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing the right thing! Always listen to Laz. He will let you know what he needs. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are a trimming goddess. I'm so in awe of how much you know about his feet, and how much you keep educating yourself. Definitely an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much our horses teach us?! I bet, before this whole laminitis-and-aftermath, you never would have thought you would be trimming Laz's hooves yourself. What a journey!
ReplyDeleteThat RF is so bizarre, BUT I see a huge improvement already, now that you are working on it. Good growth, much better angle. I keep wondering--if the hoof wall is "normal" at the top, at what point does it turn into bizarro abnormal hump-foot, and HOW do you get that good angle from the top of the hoof wall to grow all the way down to the ground? I'm thinking you guys are probably onto something with removing all of that lamellar wedge--maybe the key to (well, it might not ever be "normal," but a MORE normal) hoof will be to take resect all of that extra material and take it as far back as you can. I can see all of the black stuff in there, too--I am sure that is not helping, and getting rid if it will greatly improve his hoof health.
I think Ls needs to be a case study!! Can't wait to see how that hoof will improve in the coming months. :-) Exciting stuff!