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He is finally 'sound'
Topic Started: Jun 9 2007, 09:52 AM (135 Views)
horseless no more
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Magical Leopluridon
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Most of you know I got Dt with some 'issues' with an ankle.
as time went by he wouldhave his on and off days. then he would be 'sound' only when he knew people were not watching.
but lately he isnt even faking it anymore, And he is putting full weight on the ankle that had/has issues. I can tell this because prior to reciently the foot with the ankle would grow with out being 'naturally trimed' like the other 3 legs would do from running up and down the hills etc. So I would have to have the blacksmith out once ever 6 weeks just to trim that one foot while my shoulder was unable to work properly. I went out the other day to trim the foot ( now that shoulder is functioning properly) and it had worn down... Now I didnt ever do any fancy stuff just nip off hte toe and file smooth (as I honestly cant remeber what to do with the hoof knife and figured it wouldnt be a good idea to wittle away).
I had notice for about a week that he wasnt troting off gimpy even with humans watching him and figured it was just a 'good' week for him.
but now that I can see that he is actually putting weight on that foot. so perhaps after a bit over 3 yrs off he is finally to the point to where he can be put back into light work progressing to more difficult till we reach the limit.

when I got him it was passed on to me that he had 'dry' ankles and some set oscoletts(sp). Last summer around Aug. I finally was able to track down his previous owner. and it appears that yeah he dose have 'some' oscoletts but also on the 'long bone' he had a hair line fracture. I had not had his ankles xrayed so Iwent by what the person told me when I got him. as did my vet. we figured he would have his good days and bad days etc.
but now that he is actually wearing down that foot figure something somewhere went right. I did talk to my vet about the information I had recieved and after discussing the options figured it was probably best ot just continue the way we were. standing wraps when he is stalled with limament alternating between cold and heat, boots or polos when turned out ( cept when really nasty winter weather).
then with my rotator cuff injury then surgery we agreed to just let him wander in and out as he pleased ( have any idea how difficult it is to wrap rewrap etc when one arm in sling?).
Now im thinking perhaps I should have blacksmith out and put light shoes on with perhaps full pads on front. My thinking is it could assit in keeping him at least at the level of soundness he is currently enjoying when we start back to work. I will keep him on the joint supplement that he seems to be doing well on why change if it is working..
I guess I am asking is if you were faced with this would you think about putting the light shoe with pads on in the hopes of keeping/assisting him to maintain the current level of comfort. with the possibility of being able to stay this way ( if not perhaps 'sounder') when put back to work.
Like I said he wouldnt be pushed hard because I am just not in that kind of shape. so perhaps if I do this lets say end of this month perhaps by the time the snow flys he may actually be lunging( have a 25ft line so no tight circles) semi controllably at the w/t going to the left.. as in he isnt dragging me around trying to go to right (right is the direction race horses go correct??) all the time. the snow season off then in spring start over back tracking what he were doing befor esnow then progressing to perhaps mid july next yr cantering on lunge without dragging me so by fall next yr being backed by me ( hoping by then I have something that resembles balance again on horse back) winter off ( unless by some weird stroke of luck I manage to have access to an indoor) then spring restart etc.
Im hoping that with the shoes, pads and slow progress he will remain sound.
Any thoughts?
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