My New Business Card.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Little Long in
the Toe
By
Cheryl Ann Smith
For some horses, their digestive
systems may not be able to metabolize the sugar of the newly sprouted grass. These horses who have difficulty disgusting
too much sugar in their systems may have a situation that triggers an event
where the blood is pumped to the hooves, causing inflammation and difficulty
for the horse to walk.
Some horses horse's hooves grow quickly. In these cases, once the hooves are trimmed normally, the animal can walk normally again. And of course, each animal is
different as is each situation. A Veterinarian should be consulted in extreme cases when the animal cannot stand or walk. There are times when the horse might need special shoeing, medication or a special diet.
Rusty hooves grow unusually fast
and long, despite an eight-week Farrier schedule.
Even though Rusty is on an eight
week Farrier schedule, his hooves grow quickly and quite long.
During the Summer months, his hooves grown
hard, long and quickly, making trimming quite
difficult, and seems to rule out the effects of a diet where the sugar cannot be metabolized.
It is unknown as to why his feet grow so fast and so long in such a short time.
At the end of each trim, he is back to
normal. Early in my career, I showed up
at
a new client’s ranch were Jake was brought from the pasture.
He could hardly walk, He unlike Rusty, Jake has a toe crack.
His hooves grow differently then Rusty's. Instead of growing straight out at the toe,
he flares symmetrical. His owner was
very concern because of the hoof condition.
Jake's hoof before the trim. Jake
was brought from the pasture. He could hardly walk.
Jake's hooves after the trim.
I trimmed normally, got the crack out of the hoof wall, and Jake would walk with out a limp. The owner was quite relieved, and Jake went back to his pasture.
Jake’s situation was not a result of his diet or green grass. He lives on a hillside, and quite possibly stubbed his toe. It is hard to say, because as horse owners, we find horses get into situations, that are hard to explain. It could have been as simple as result of dry hoof wall. It is too important not to have a profession periodically assist your horse’s hooves.
Not too long ago, I was phoned to a ranch in the dead of Winter to trim an unusual condition of a mare, who at birth has a deformed hoof.
Bella Before Her Trim
In this very unusual case for me, is Belle, a mare has an elongated hoof, on the right hind. This is not the result of the owner not having the Farrier come out on a regular schedule, but the owner informed me the horse has deformed hoof from birth. The owner had the Veterinary on hand to sedate the mare so I could trim off the dead hoof. It was handy having the Veterinarian guided this procedure.
What I found is Belle has accommodated for her condition. Unlike Jake who was limping before his trim, I witnessed Belle walk, trot and cantor before she was haltered and brought out of pasture.
After she was sedated, I found the hoof wall has folded over on the bottom of her foot creating a surface for her to walk on and keep in balance.
View of Belle's hoof after the trim from top of the hoof stand.
I left the some toe and trimmed back some of the curled under hoof wall so she would have a nice balanced hoof to walk on. Bella's owner was amazed with the team work. and quite delighted with the trim. She has had the Veterinary and I on a regular trimming schedule for Bella. Bella's owner like Rusty's and Jake's owners are very proactive in their horse's hoof care. They have amazing horses, and it makes the trims go well with such cooperation. ~The End_Cheryl Smith 2017
Rusty hooves grow unusually fast
and long, despite an eight-week Farrier schedule.
Even though Rusty is on an eight
week Farrier schedule, his hooves grow quickly and quite long. During the Summer months, his hooves grown
hard, long and quickly, making trimming quite difficult. But at the end of the trim, he is back to
normal.
Early in my career, I showed up at
a new client’s ranch were Jake was brought from the pasture. He could hardly walk, He unlike rusty, has a toe crack. His hooves grow differently. Instead of growing straight out at the toe,
he flares symmetrical. His owner was
very concern because of the hoof condition.
I trimmed normally, got the crack
out of the hoof wall, and Jake would walk normally again. The owner was quite relieved, and Jake went
back to his pasture. Jake’s situation was not a result of his diet or green grass. He lives on a hillside, and quite possibly
stubbed his toe. It is hard to say,
because as horse owners, we find horses get into situations, that are hard to
explain. It could have been as simple as
result of dry hoof wall. It is too
important not to have a profession periodically assist your horse’s
hooves. Most owners have their animals
services every eight weeks, but in unusually situations as in Jake and Rusty’s
case, it is better to be on a four week Farrier schedule.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Cracked, Chipped or Just Broken - Cheryl Smith
Despite our efforts as horse owner to keep our animals safe, they seem to find ways of injuring themselves. If you have a horse, you know what I am talking about in that they to find ways to injure themselves, and we do not always know how they did it. Despite it all when you mix fence wire and a horse hoof, the results is hoof damage!
The results of several months of Farrier Services. The new growth as shown in the photograph continued down the hoof wall, extending down from the Coronary Band.
This damaged hoof is the result of
the horse getting it’s hoof caught in it fencing wire. This is not the result of an owner neglecting
or not taking care of his horse. It was
just the result of the horse being a horse.
The owner was not sure how, or where in the fence he had got his hoof
caught, so he repaired the corral in all the possible areas, there in lie the
mystery! But the damage is done!
What I want in my career is not to
be just one of the other Farriers who makes attempts, but what I want is
to make a difference and fix the hoof.
This horse did not seem to be very impair by his damaged hoof as the owner has indicates the horse will walk, trot and gallop. This horse is seldom ridden, but as his Farrier, it is hopeful the owner will be able to ride in low-impact situations, and perhaps even be able to take the ol’ boy on a trail ride.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
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