Club Foot
Hi, it's me again. *waves*
Cracker, my puncture pony, is doing fantastically. The swelling is way down. The vet actually cleared her for light walk/trot and she's allowed to go out in a small field by herself. I've noticed that in the last day she's been cleared for this that the swelling has gone down even more and she's sort of working some of the ooze out. And she is loads happier! Tonight is her last antibiotic so *fingers crossed* things stay on a good path.
Next topic. Club foot. I just acquired a standardbred with it in the left front leg/hoof. He's two, the person I got him from had saved him at auction from slaughter. The vet has been out, confirmed age, and said he probably won't be rideable, but a farrier might be able to relieve the strain. She said she has seen horses even worse off than him make decent recoveries into light riding, but I'm honestly not holding my breath. He's a sweetheart with a great disposition for a two year old and I just want to give him a chance at a decent life, even if he is just a pasture pet. The vet said that despite his condition, he seems pretty happy and has learned to live with his condition or he would have hurt himself and been euthanized most likely. Watching him move about, trailering, and take in new situations, he does think everything through before he makes movement, weighing the options and figuring out which foot to lead with so he doesn't stumble. He hasn't met Cracker yet because Cracker doesn't take to the new horses kindly and he still needs some vaccines, so he's in the quarantine stalls.
The fact I've taken in this horse has mixed reviews from people at the barn. Either their just as excited to see how it goes or people are in disbelief saying there are plenty of rideable horses I could have for free and that this guy isn't going to amount to anything. To which I reply I don't expect him to which causes even more disbelief. Right now I'm in the process of contacting farriers to get opinions (vet recommended), what their method of treatment would be, and how comfortable they are with the treatment. I'm hoping that slowing working with the hoof will help the tendon as opposed to surgically going in.
My main question is, has anyone had or known a horse with club foot and know treatments used/outcomes, etc. I'm a bit concerned because he seems to over reach (I'm not sure that's the correct word) with the back hooves when he walks, getting very close to the front - would bell boots help protect him from clipping his front feet or make matters worse? I could do with some (hopefully happy ending) stories right about now if anyone has them, haha!
The foot
The napping boy (who actually doesn't have a name as of yet...)
Note: The vet will be out again in a few days to see how he's adjusting and to do a few vaccines for him, so I'll ask him, then, I'm just wondering for now.
Cracker, my puncture pony, is doing fantastically. The swelling is way down. The vet actually cleared her for light walk/trot and she's allowed to go out in a small field by herself. I've noticed that in the last day she's been cleared for this that the swelling has gone down even more and she's sort of working some of the ooze out. And she is loads happier! Tonight is her last antibiotic so *fingers crossed* things stay on a good path.
Next topic. Club foot. I just acquired a standardbred with it in the left front leg/hoof. He's two, the person I got him from had saved him at auction from slaughter. The vet has been out, confirmed age, and said he probably won't be rideable, but a farrier might be able to relieve the strain. She said she has seen horses even worse off than him make decent recoveries into light riding, but I'm honestly not holding my breath. He's a sweetheart with a great disposition for a two year old and I just want to give him a chance at a decent life, even if he is just a pasture pet. The vet said that despite his condition, he seems pretty happy and has learned to live with his condition or he would have hurt himself and been euthanized most likely. Watching him move about, trailering, and take in new situations, he does think everything through before he makes movement, weighing the options and figuring out which foot to lead with so he doesn't stumble. He hasn't met Cracker yet because Cracker doesn't take to the new horses kindly and he still needs some vaccines, so he's in the quarantine stalls.
The fact I've taken in this horse has mixed reviews from people at the barn. Either their just as excited to see how it goes or people are in disbelief saying there are plenty of rideable horses I could have for free and that this guy isn't going to amount to anything. To which I reply I don't expect him to which causes even more disbelief. Right now I'm in the process of contacting farriers to get opinions (vet recommended), what their method of treatment would be, and how comfortable they are with the treatment. I'm hoping that slowing working with the hoof will help the tendon as opposed to surgically going in.
My main question is, has anyone had or known a horse with club foot and know treatments used/outcomes, etc. I'm a bit concerned because he seems to over reach (I'm not sure that's the correct word) with the back hooves when he walks, getting very close to the front - would bell boots help protect him from clipping his front feet or make matters worse? I could do with some (hopefully happy ending) stories right about now if anyone has them, haha!
The foot
The napping boy (who actually doesn't have a name as of yet...)
Note: The vet will be out again in a few days to see how he's adjusting and to do a few vaccines for him, so I'll ask him, then, I'm just wondering for now.