Right front 14/8/6

RONNIE (Set up trim 14/8/6. Latest pictures and text added 9/1/8)
AGE. In ‘teens’
ACTIVITIES. Hacking and school work
HOOF CARE / HISTORY. Shod for several years.

Even though this story does not have a successful conclusion, the case study is equally - if not more - important than the success stories. Ronnie was very lame when a vet recommended taking his shoes off. His soundness had gradually deteriorated and the recent addition of a pad under his left front shoe did not improve his comfort. Ronnie was walked up in his shoes at the set up trim to make an evaluation. He was very lame on smooth tarmac. Turning was incredibly difficult. The shoes were removed, a trim applied and he was set up with boots and 12 mm foam pads put onto the front feet. After a few steps he immediately picked up his pace and lunged into trot. His carriage changed completely. The difference was phenomenal and we were very excited. A program of rehabilitation was drawn up which included hand walking with boots and pads, quickly progressing to short gentle rides . This worked really well for him and put him back under saddle after being unable to work.

BEFORE PICTURES
Left front 14/8/6
Left front 14/8/6
left front 14/8/6 Left front 14/8/6
Left front 14/8/6

FINAL PICTURES
Left front 9/1/8
Left front 9/1/8
Left front 9/1/8
Right front 14/8/6
Right front 14/8/6 Right front 9/1/8
Right front 14/8/6 Right front 14/8/6
Right front 9/1/8
Right front 14/8/6 Right front 9/1/8
Right front 14/8/6

What ‘went wrong?’
The initial consultation covered many areas effecting horse/hoof. Ronnie had a long way to go to become a confident barefoot horse so every care was taken not to push him beyond his comfort zone and the capability of his hooves. He had infection in his frogs, contracted/under run heals and poor sole depth.

Nutrition was covered in detail. Recommendations were made to remove the mollassed chop and mollassed course mix and replace it with an effective supplement and feed without additives, preservatives and bulking agents. This was needed to produce strong healthy hooves and fight the constant frog infections. We have seen a lot of evidence that these changes are often needed to make improvements in hoof quality and performance.
 
Nutritional recommendations were not followed. The hoof was never able to grow down a strong connection to P3 because of compromised laminae. Frog infections were always present despite topical treatments. A lack of essential minerals combined with a high sugar diet opens the body to fungal/bacterial invasion. This meant he could not load his feet confidently and develop healthy structure within the foot. Viscous circle with no way out.

Another important factor was the significance of grass. Unrestricted grazing was another issue. Being able to make an assessment at how significant the grass was in itself could never be reached because the dietary changes were not addressed.

Ronnie’s performance varied. Seasonal changes at times hampered the progress. Nutritional advice was discussed frequently but not taken on board. We decided that our service could be of no further help and recommended putting shoes back on.

Experience keeps telling us barefoot is always part of a bigger picture.

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