So this week has been very stressful. Monday, Maddy starting limping on her left front. On Wednesday, she looked like she was limping on both front feet. My farrier was coming on Thursday, so I wanted him to take a look before I called a vet. Her feet were pretty long, so I was hoping it was just the "tilt." You all ask..."Why are her feet long?" Well Andrew, the farrier, has been very timid around Maddy. He has never "nipped" her feet and has only used a rasp. He has given me all sorts of "assignments" with her feet before he really "goes in." I work with her feet everytime I am at the barn. She has never done anything stupid, but she does get nervous around him and sucks up her back legs when he goes to pick them up. I thought he would trim her the last time because she was standing there so nicely and he just rasped away and left. 
So this time, I brought her to him. He saw her feet and commented on how long they were and I told him he needed to "trim" them. He watched me work her and saw how sore she was. He told me, "We will see how she goes." I knew she would stand there. I knew how much work I put in on those feet. She was perfect. He even got out that stand and had her front feet up on it and she just stood there. Andrew told me I was doing a good job with her, but he still had more "assignments" for me. Now I have to set her feet on objects and when she is ok with that, I am supposed to set her feet on objects and walk away. Her feet finally look normal. She got a full manicure today. I lunged her for him after the trim and she looked like she was moving better. Andrew thought maybe she was just "heel sore." So we are giving her a couple days to see how she goes. She looked much better today.
7 comments:
Miss is not only lame on her left front, but she kicked a fence the other day and now her left hind leg is wrapped as well. It's always something with these gals, isn't it? Love the photo!
Hum, is your farrier afraid of her? Sounds like maybe he is. I wouldn't expect a horse to be comfortable with anyone exhibiting any kind of fear. All the excercises in the world won't fix that.
I hope you figure out soon what the lameness is from. There is nothing more frustrating that an undefineable lameness.
Hmmm...must admit I was having the same thoughts as MiKael here. Anyone else using him have the same thing happening?
Glad she's done, though, and that she's feeling some relief. Ask Andrew about compact sole, though, as sometimes that's an issue when they've gone so long before trims.
I think he feels like he has served his time doing bad horses and will only do perfectly behaved. Maddy was EXTREMELY touchy about her feet when I bought her. I just keep plugging away, knowing someday I will have a horse with no "holes." I have been very frustrated with him, but his last trim, he did the works. I tell myself that if he gets hurt, he is out of work and I have to respect that.
I will ask about compact soles. I am trying to decide if I should get some front shoes put on. There are so many arguments for and against shoes, I don't know what to do.
I bet she is sound as a dollar by now. That kind of lameness is so frustrating. I used to soak my old gelding's sore feet in epson salt and warm water. Even if it didn't help, he sure loved it.
I love the flowers in her forelock. Darling picture.
Aw, ur girl is sooo cute! With the flowers and all, lol, you made her really chic!
Maddy looks so cute with flowers in her mane. I can't do that kind of stuff with Moon, being a boy, I think he'd find it embarrassing.
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