When I asked the vet to come out and take rads of Archie's crippled appendages, he asked if I was noticing any changes. I said he was moving so well on the Equioxx that I pulled him off everything else. So no, the Kid's good. Which just raised the question - then why was the vet here?
I told him that my farrier had mentioned possible coffin bone changes in the cripplest right front, as the growth pattern had changed and the dip in Archie's hoof wall had returned. Vet quickly assured me that this did not indicate coffin bone changes, but rather that Archie's toe had gotten away from my farrier. We still continued with the rads to make sure there weren't any other beneficial changes we could make. I had thought keeping up with maintenance of that right front's ringbone progression was a practical decision, but the vet thinks, at this point, it is what it is and the only reason to shoot rads from here on out would be for shoeing changes or gait changes.
Crippled right front - Archie pulled the silicone pad. |
Crippled right front - Vet said that he needed to lose an inch of toe. |
Less crippled left front. Vet explained that this image indicated a slight medio-lateral imbalance, as you can't see straight across the joints. |
Less crippled left front - with pad still in. He said that Archie was 2-3 mm high on the lateral side. Lateral being further from the midline, so the hoof is higher on the outside wall. |
Farrier came the next day and was grumpy about taking off an inch, but I'm pretty sure he accomplished it. He was half an hour late for the visit, so I didn't get to stay and watch, as I had to take Whiskey to a lesson. Vet also recommended Natural Balance shoes (maybe the only thing I haven't tried on this horse...?), so the farrier is going to get me an estimate on those.
Not the best angle (he was eating and this hoof was placed back), but I think that's about an inch, given the location of the old nail holes. |
It seems like a lot for a horse that primarily walks on the trail, right? But it goes back to comfort and quality of life. I'd love to have Archie with me for another decade, so whatever it takes to get him there.
4 comments
The after shot looks good. Our two are on natural balance shoes as our farrier likes them for most horses. I hope he keeps doing well
ReplyDeleteThe after shot looks much better. I think being able to do progression shots on those feets is so great if any real problems do arise down the line.
ReplyDeleteGlad Archie is doing well!
ReplyDeleteWhen I had Copper in the natural balance shoes I bought them myself online and just had my farrier put them on. Idk if yours is ok with that or not, but I think I saved some money that way? I bought a few pairs in advance to save on shipping or something.
ReplyDeleteThanks!