Thursday, August 19, 2010

Set Backs and A Step in the Right Direction

First.. Set Backs... I've been beating myself up pretty badly since yesterday evening.  My good friend whom I bought Bonnie from, as I mentioned before, is a Farrier.  He would be my normal every 6 week farrier if he lived in Ohio, instead of Texas.  Anyway.. he was in town this week for business and I asked him to come take a look at Bonnie for me.

.... and he saw what I missed

A small ridge between the frog and her toe.  The ridge visually cannot be seen UNLESS you are sideways and away.  NOT looking down from the top.  The toe is also a bit too short, "just a tad" was his words.  He  closely inspected her feet, no thrush, no infections, only tender in that one spot.  The other three were trimmed perfectly.  So why the difference with this hoof?  I'm still waiting on a call back from my farrier.

So now you understand why I'm beating myself up.  I didn't see that ridge.. there is no pink, or discoloration to indicate a bruise.   No heat, no swelling anywhere.  She willingly walks \ trots even galloped across the field.  But that was on grass not gravel or concrete.

I should not have ridden her... even if all I did was walk.  It was very unfair to her.   She now has at least 2 weeks most likely 3 weeks off from riding.  Which will be to Rosie's dismay I'm sure.  I'm also going to invest in some boots until I can get her shod.  I checked for the Easy Walkers and the closest Farrier in their list is 50 miles away  =(

And the steps...
BACKWARDS!!! no training stick,  no pushing, no prodding.  One tap on front of shoulder and jiggle lead rope.  Rosie immediately picked up right foot and moved it backwards.. I'd only tapped once but kept jiggling and she took 5 steps back consistent pace.  I was beaming!

Hind quarter yields left and right with just looking and marching at her hind end!  My work is paying off I believe!

The barn is having a Ohio Horsemans Counsel Fun Show in September.  I may enter Rosie in the English Pleasure class to just see how we do.  Only problem is she is very hard to get into a canter which is typical for heavy drafts.  Oh and I need tall boots and a hunt jacket.     I wish I could find a local consignment shop for riding clothes.

10 comments:

  1. Don't beat yourself up over riding with the hoof injury. Like a friend of mine says often "It's a long way from their heart"

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  2. PS- Any farrier can install the easywalkers. Just buy a set of shoes and the nail thing and your good to go. None of the farriers in my area shod with them but now they are catching on when I buy the shoes myself.

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  3. You had no way of knowing there was anything wrong with the hoof. You're doing great!

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  4. Well, I'd say you have done pretty darned good...and tbis is how we learn. I made some mistakes doing my own trimming...nothing that would make lame. Bonnie did not speak up...and now you know...give yourself a break!
    The Easy Walkers site has made it difficult for non Farriers to buy now....was going to buy a case..but they cost JUST AS MUCH as the shoer charges me for them. I DO LOVE THEM though..and the extra $ it is to have THEM VS STEEL. ..priceless~ in healthy hooves and legs! :->

    the show sounds really fun...msybe get a cool jacket at a second hand store.un

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  5. Live and learn , and you did have it looked at , so don't kick yourself . You will sure see it if it happens again

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  6. Your an awesome "mom" to Rosie & Bonnie, don't be so hard on yourself Jeni. We do the best we can, and can't possibly know everything.

    Have you tried Craigslist? or can you borrow a jacket from a fellow rider of similar size? Boots are harder, maybe look for close-outs? Good luck, can't wait to hear how things go with your lovely Ms. Rosie!

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  7. Thanks for the encouragement everyone it'd be so much easier if the horse could speak English.

    I'm going to borrow the hunt coat, and because it's a fun show I should be able to get by with half chaps. I'll go get some higher quality black leather ones and just shine up my Ariats!

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  8. You can't beat yourself about that. She wasn't showing any signs and wasn't lame. Horses' feet aren't perfect anyway, even though humans tend to mess up their feet to make them look perfect. Sometimes it's best to leave their feet alone as much as possible. Even trimming should be more conservative. Some farriers try to please their clients by slicing away at shaggy frogs and knifing off chunks of sole, when it's usually just to prettify the hoof and not really to help the horse in any way.

    Just keep an eye on her and even get a second opinion if it might help give you some perspective.

    I'm betting that she'll be ok and that light riding on soft surfaces would actually be healthy and good for her by giving her exercise and bringing blood flow to the area to aid in healing.

    Sounds like you and Rosie are doing a great job with training, too. It's wonderful to watch your horse 'getting it' when you teach them something new.

    I hope the show goes well. I bet it will be fun. And I can;t wait to see/read all about it.

    Your new header is just great!

    ~Lisa

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  9. You really should not feel bad about not noticing the hoof problem -- if she is walking fine and doing everything without obvious sensitivity....

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  10. You only know what you know until you learn more and/or differently. The important thing is that you learned. Fortunately, our horses are very forgiving.

    Hope you can find a consignment shop or a friend from whom you can borrow clothes until you can find your own.

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Happy Trails!

~Jeni