Hero's barefoot journey: Part 2

Please see Part 1 for Hero's full story :)

The changes in Hero's feet have been slow. He still battles with thrush, a very painful infection of the frogs. Treatment has been slow as the extreme contraction of his heels limits bloodflow to the area. The heel pain makes it very diffcult for him to execute a true heel-first landing; which promotes the growth of new frogs and shedding of the old.
The long, distorted hoof capsule has also caused problems with breakover. I made little padded hoof boots for him with vet wrap for our walks. This has started to make big changes in the way he moves by helping to stimulate the frogs and promote good bloodflow throughout the hoof.

The heel bulbs in his left front have started to decontract slightly, providing a large measure of comfort.

Meanwhile, his personality has done a complete 180*. In the pasture, he would spend all day standing next to the water trough in founder stance, while the rest of his herd moved around and grazed. Uncharacteristically, Hero had developed a nasty nipping habit. He began to paw obsessively when groomed. He couldn't stand to be touched anywhere down his spine or shoulders, and he suffered from frequent headaches as well as light sensativity. Last January, it had gotten to the point where I couldn't groom him at all.. he just couldn't bear to be touched. I can't even describe the helplessness I felt, trying to stroke him and make him feel better, and watching him wince away. It was truly heartbreaking..
The day Hero's shoes were pulled, the nipping and pawing stopped. Within a few days, the bodysoreness disappeared. After months of pain, I could hug and kiss my horse again!! His headaches have also stopped, and he no longer winces away from touching or grooming. He plays boss over the mares in his field and herds them around all day. He is the picture of a happy and healthy horse!

I am excitedly looking forward to more changes in Hero!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• horse
• barefoot
• natural
• hoofcare

[kiya4lyf]

WOW.. what am improvement.. i have a mare with navicular would u recomend barefoot to any one else?.. would u recomend it to a horse in work??.. great job with him. glad hes ok. x

[heronponie]

Yes, absolutely!! There is nothing to lose by going barefoot, and everything to gain.

Barefoot riding is perfectly fine for horses in work. I ride and compete with my other horse at the National or "EC Gold" level in Canada with no problems at all. She's sound for jumping, galloping, safe on any kind of terrain.. there's just no downside!

[JumpinHorses]

you gave him his feet back, and, you gave him his spirit back too.

you did SUCH a good job with him! I know its been SO hard for you, but, you stepped-up-to-the-plate. you are among a very few horse owners that I respect.

IM SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS!

I would be interested to see what his rads look like in one year.

[heronponie]

Thank you so much Jumpin, you have no idea how much your support means.

I am toying with the idea of taking some rads now. I have some of the RF from Jan, but none since. It will be interesting to compare..

[menellie]

goosebumps!!

[heronponie]

Me too!!!!

[LaRanaTJ]

YOU r d hero here, 4 having loved enough 2 persevere until u found d right solution 4 your horse. Barefoot is THE ONLY WAY TO GO. I am working wit a pony who came to me wit sinkers on both fronts & rotation in both backs - reverse shod, dismal situation - only 4 weeks later trotting & cantering on sand. 2 months after he walks & trots on gravel. Stil quite lame frnt right as this was worst penetration. He will get 100% again fanx 2 barefoot protocol - natural balance trim, diet, exercise & LOVE

[HoofTech]

That's what it takes. Love of the horse & dedication. Nice to see someone that feels the way I do.

Bill

[anniepeterson76]

He is fortunate to have an ower who will think outside the box. Thank you for posting and good luck with your future with him. You have done a great job.

[susanjen]

Hey, any more updates on Hero? How about a One Year Later? We barefooters are still looking for every success story possible! Just started rehab on a hardly-moving TB...looking good and doing some walking after the first corrective trim. We'd love to hear about your boy!

[Imalopinglady]

I'm sitting here crying.... Beautiful video (parts 1&2), the music was perfect. Hats off to you for loving Hero to take the "barefoot step" to soundness. It's a long journey but you will make it. Hero is beautiful and I'm sure that YOU are now his Hero!!!

[Rusty320]

What joy! He has his life back! He will only get better! All of our horses, cutting, reining, WP, and trail horses are barefoot now! Thanks to Rachael Coggins and Eddie Drabek and Darolyn Butler and Pete Ramey. Barefoot rocks!!!!!! IT' IS NATURAL AND HEALTHY!

[milc22]

great story. Well done. The more people that advocate barefoot horses, the happier horses all over the world will be!

[yourredwagon]

Fabulous just fabulous! I type this with tears in my eyes. I went down the same path with my Boo, who I ended up losing in 2000. Going barefoot was not a well known alternative treatment.

In Feb 08 another navicular horse on the verge of being nerved found me. He walked like Hero coming out out of the stall in the first video. We're 10 months into barefoot recovery and it warms my heart everytime I hear the sound of thundering hooves coming in for dinner!

Keep it up!