| Archive for It's About The Horse The Free Forum for those Doing Parelli - and a whole lot More! "Anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful." Xenophon (430-355 B.C.), |
| MissTequilla |
**UPDATE** New horse. HORRIBLE feet. Please help.A little background: I recently adopted a horse and her feet are in horrible condition. I don't know what to do with them, and I'm hoping for some advice on the direction to take. She's a 15 year old Andalusian mare. Before the rescue got her I guess her feet were in even worse shape. The rescue had her for a few months while the case went to court and till she was officially property of the rescue and could be adopted out. They use and amish farrier to keep costs down ($10 a horse!) and he's trimmed her a couple times but just super basic stuff get the length off stuff. No proper balancing or corrective measures. She has contracted heels in all of her feet to varying degrees and they are are a little to a lot different from each other. She also had some major thrush, enough to make her a bit foot sore, which I am now getting a handle on. Her frogs are in horrible shape and almost non-existant. I know this will be an long and ongoing process but I'm willing to do what it takes. She's the absolute sweetest mare I've ever met and quite beautiful as well. I can see the end results, where I get her feet nice and and get her in shape and topline strengthened. She's truly my dream horse in her personality and we've already started to get a really nice relationship going. Andalusians are also my dream breed so this is just really awesome for me to have this opportunity. I just need some help with this area. Any input is appreciated!Here are some pictures of her front feet I took yesterday. My barn is sort of dark so I apologize and I will try and get better pictures today or tomarrow and post them as well as pictures of her back feet. 
Sorry this is so dark but it just shows how dramatically different they are 
Front Right- underneath 
Front Left- underneath 
Once again I'm sorry for the terrible job taking pictures. I just snapped them quick. |
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| Leah |
WHOA!!!!!!!!!
Are you going to trim yourself? If not, go to the Horses Hoof and start finding a reputable trimmer in your area. |
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| MissTequilla |
No, but I to a bit of mantinence to all my other horses in between my farrier visits and he just came and won't be able to get back till the middle of November. I just want to do what I can right now to help the process along. I've read a lot of stuff on the natural trims and this case is just way over my head. I'm just looking for a some suggestions till I can team up with my farrier.
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| Autumn |
I would get some clean trax and start soaking her feet to help with the thrush/ contraction. this is a job for a very talented trimmer. you probably need to get rads to see what is going on in there. These feet are gonna need everyday care for the thrush. | ||||||||||||||
| appellativo |
MissTequila, congratulations on your new dream horse! The wonderful thing about horse feet is that no matter how different they are and no matter what crazy condition they are in. all the same rules still apply. You still trim to the sole, and slight tweakings will allow the hoof to remodel itself. The best thing you can do, is to start furthering your education about the equine hoof. Then the rest will just all fall into place. If you havent yet, invest in a giddyupflix membership or other horse video rental membership and see the Pete Ramey Under the Horse DVD's. Then rent the 'That's My Horse' series by him. You will begin to understand how to help your farrier in between trims. Don't worry, with time and education, your mare will be fine! (Unfortunately I don't think anyone here can really tell you "do such and such to the right front"....its something you have to understand the anatomy and trim procedures fully in order to do a lot of good when you're under there!) | ||||||||||||||
| Pyrgirl |
I second the suggestion to get some Cleantrax to get the thrush under control. Don't forget to spray the areas that she stands in regularly with the solution once you are done with the soaking. I think you could also just trim down to the existing sole without doing damage until you get the new farrier. I agree with apellativo - tweakings on a consistent basis allowing the hoof to reshape itself, but exactly how to do that is another story. Some Xrays would ease my mind, too, if you can afford them. But I'm not an expert at all! Leah and others know alot more.
PS, let's see some full pictures of this lucky mare! Andalusions are beautiful. |
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| MissTequilla |
Hey everyone. Thanks for the replies so far. I am unfortunatly unable to afford x-rays, but will take the other suggestions into consideration. Right now I think I have the thrush pretty well managed, and it's nearly gone so her feet already have taken on some improvement and can start their way on the healing. At the rescue she was in a pen with a LOT of mud (they are overcrowded right now and doing the best they can, no negative comments on the rescue please!), and now that she's home she's in a paddock with not a drop of mud on the and it opens up to my indoor arena, which is just sand. I was thinking the same thing with Pyrgirl, as far as just giving her a basic trim to get some of the length off and that would atleast help a little until my farrier can come out and we can work on a game plan. I have been working on learning about trimming and doing a lot to further my education but I know I have a long way to go. I guess it's like horsemanship, you can never learn enough! I find this facinating. I think she will be a different horse a year from today. I am looking into buying Under The Horse. I've been meaning to for quite a while.
Yesterday the weather was nasty so I was unable to get more pics. I will get them ASAP. |
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| MissTequilla |
I was able to clean her feet up a bit. Still need a bit of work but look better than they did. I'll keep touching it up till my farrier comes mid-november. Didn't get any feet pics yet but here's some pics of us playing a bit. It was a BEAUTIFUL fall day. It's been cold and rainy here so this was a really nice break from it.
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| Playenatural |
She is beautiful! | ||||||||||||||
| Autumn |
No kidding! she is a real knockout! | ||||||||||||||
| misstux |
She's a lovely girl and very lucky to have found you. | ||||||||||||||
| MissTequilla |
Aww thanks you guys. She has the most wonderful personality and presence. She comes with a bit of baggage (she weaves when nervous and when tied she gapes her mouth, I'm thinking she was tied or cross-tied with a bit in her mouth, that's what it looks like) but I'm determined to give her the love and home she deserves. I have no idea what her life was like before she was rescued, but from this point on, she's going to have a wonderful life. She's amazingly smart, sensitive, and sensible. My absolute dream horse. After only a few days, she's very attached to me. Her liberty is almost as good as my nearly L3 levels horse. I can't wait to see what our future holds. | ||||||||||||||
| oldmac_donald |
This post was removed because it is highly offensive and against the rules of this board.
We do not attack people who come here asking for advice. My deepest apologies to Miss Tequila. I promise to monitor this forum better and keep it SAFE for those asking for help. |
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| Playenatural |
Mouth gaping tends to be a Right Brain Introvert behavior in response to external stress.
I've had two horses do it, both RBI explosive types, neither had ever wore a bit or been tied up, too wild. The first one I gave away, the second one seems to be finally coming over to the light after 3 years. |
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| MissTequilla |
Yeah. Harsh is right. Anyways got the farrier out Someone cancelled and he was able to make it over. Was just extra length and the difference was due to her hooves just breaking off at different rates. Everything looks pretty good.Couple more good trims and everything will be great. I guess I'll have to be more careful of exactly what I'm saying and how I describe things on here. Don't want people going into hysterics saying I have to put my horse down and I don't care for my horse and what not.Don't mean to sound snotty either, Just doing the best I currently can for her at the moment.She's sound and happy, getting good feed, care and turnout. She's not being "worked". Just letting her play a bit at liberty. I see nothing wrong with that if she's sound and willing and wanting a bit of mental stimulation.I appreciate your concern, just looking for a bit of support from knowledgable people.Thanks. | ||||||||||||||
| oldmac_donald |
I'm sorry Miss Tequila, I know I was harsh. Please appreciate how it looks "on the other side". I'm sure you are doing the best for your mare.
Great that you got the farrier out. I'm interested in what was said about that extra high heel - the other feet looked pretty long but not as bad to me, just that one foot was scary. I have never seen a heel that high with a functioning horse attached, seriously. If you have a look around some trimming sites, and see what happens to the coffin bone when the heels are raised, you may understand why people freak out at those photos, and why working is not a great idea. And yes, you came across (to me) as though you were working your horse, so I apologise for the misunderstanding. I do think you need rads though. I have a dream mare too, not as handsome as your girl, and the thought of losing her early because of something insidious happening inside her feet is heartbreaking. To get xrays done means paying two weeks wages to call the vet out and have him take the xrays. Not a cheap decision. But if it means being able to keep my horse (or any other horse) sound and happy for longer, then... My rant against rescuing without the cashflow to go through with it? Well, that's another story. Please keep updating your mare's story, I am interested in how her feet change with trimming. |
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| bit |
Holy cow, she is beautiful!!!!! Sad about her baggage, and hope with time, you two can heal her wounds. I just helped rehome a K State equestrian team horse, and he cribs terribly. He was so unhappy there, and now he's in a healthy herd on 9 acres. Still cribbing, and it breaks my heart. I am so happy that she found you. She is one lucky horse. You two look great together. More pictures, please! | ||||||||||||||
| Newfman |
Nice MareYour first post says
I thought my eyes were tricking me, then i noticed the tail  You need to label all photos. Sometimes we look so hard at comparing hooves, it gets easy to loose track of which one was which. I have fortunately learned enough about horses to determine the pic. with the tail in it must be the hind. 
Based on the available photos. . . The hinds don't look so bad. Nothing that a few trims won't shape up. The fronts...well, they need some work as well. I am assuming that it is the right front in the first and third photos (?). From that angle, that rt.fore looks a bit clubby. If so, it will need a bit of extra care. Feel free to read the sticky thread on photographing feet for display on this forum. You will get plenty of opinions and even some help. X-rays at your discression, but I wouldn't make it my first priority. If proper hoof care leads to loss of soundness, i would go with the Rads. Also, from the angle of the photo, I am amazed by how straight the hoof wall looks. Either a bad camera angle, or pretty tuff laminae. That would work in her favor, by the way. I would not go crazy with soaking. If you do it, do it once and be done with it. Use topical treatments after that for awhile. Excess soaking softens hooves, and these stilts need not be undermined by loss of integrity through over soaking. Too much of a good thing...ain't always a good thing...IMHO. |
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| Newfman |
You'll notice that one front foot is much steeper (clubbier looking ) than the other. Do you know the history on this horse? Has it sustained any injuries that you know of? Particularly to the left hind? Is the musculature in the shoulders equal when viewed from behind the horse?
Consider Vet/Chiro. to have a well developed eye for balance and motion take a look at your horse. I seriously doubt this foot 'just happened' to grow this way. I believe it is a by-product of a problem somewhere else. Watch the rear feet carefully when the horse is walking (being led) away from you. Are both feet stepping straight forward and level? How's that left one doing? |
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| Horseshoe Creek |
I couldn't help sharing this photo of my mule, when I first got him to a point where I could lift his foot. I'd gotten him a short time before this from the auction and he wouldn't let anyone lift his feet. Anyway, that is another story. This photo shows how long his heels were - he was about 5 and I think he MAY have had them done once, and probably not very nicely. With these heels, he could run like that wind. Amazing. 
Miss Tequila - your mare is beautiful! Chris |
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| MissTequilla |
Alright. Finally time to give an update on my wonderful little mare.
She's doing wonderful. She lives happily in my large pasture with my other 2 mares and is getting to enjoy being a horse and being seriously spoiled. A lot of her odd behavior has completely went away. She will occasionally gape her mouth, but it's becoming less and less frequent. I think it will go away completely eventually. Someone commented about it being an RBI thing and I agree with that, although she's nowhere near explosive or unpredictable. That just tends to be where the energy comes out (ex: a nervous RBI would be prancy and have to move their feet, she occasionally has moments of RBI unconfidence where she gapes her mouth). Her feet are looking a LOT better. The thrush is gone and her frogs are finally starting to come in nicely. Her heels still have a little way to go but they are much better, finally starting to spread out more and be less contracted. Her right front foot is still a little high, but it was determined she has a bit of a mild club foot. She also has a mildly weak stifle on the back left, so that could have something to do with it. The vet has said she's fine for light riding and work and that it would actually be good for her and keep her in shape. Plus I'm quite small. She's had bodywork done a couple times as well and that made quite a difference. Boy was she feisty the next few days after her appointments! Apparently feeling great! I was asked to do a little natural horsemanship demo with her on Memorial Day weekend, for fundraiser for the rescue, and show her off a bit. It went wonderfully and I was able to talk to the lady that wrote the grants to gain custody of her and got a little more of the backstory on her. Apparently she was locked in a stall with manure up to her knees for who knows how long (explains the weaving). Between her and 4 other horses they were given a small bale of hay in total a day. She was quite thin, had horrible feet (duh), and her teeth needed to be done. She also needed sedation to be handled by the vet and farrier. She now is WONDERFUL for both. Here are some a couple pics of her after she arrived at the rescue and put some weight on: 
Here's now: 
And a couple nice action shots from the demo: 
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| Kim Cassidy |
Wow what a great job you've done. You should be patting yourself on the back!
Isn't it amazing how some TLC can change most things 
Would love to see closeups of her feet. |
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| whudson |
Looks like she has come a long way. Ditto...would love to see the feet.
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| alexwein |
Wasn't around for the first part of this thread, so glad you gave an update. She is stunning, and what a wonderful turn around! So glad it worked out with her, because she looks like a gorgeous, lovely horse. You both look beautiful!
Edit: I especially love the picture at liberty where she is looking to you for what's next. Very nice connection between the two of you!! And she looks very full of life, like she is enjoying herself very much! |
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| Chablis |
Well done MissTequila! What a gorgeous horse! 
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| Mandy'sMarty |
Congratulations on helping your mare come so far. However, she is apparently still presenting evidence of physical imbalance. Saying "she has a bit of a mild club foot" misses the point. The point is that she is probably imbalanced higher in her body and the club foot is the result. A club foot on a horse is generally not caused by "club foot-ism". For more on this and the actual causes of the club foot, read Pete Ramey's article at http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/support-files/club-foot.pdf Meanwhile, if you really want her to be 100%, I encourage you to have a competent chiropractor and a competent body worker work as a team to resolve her physical issues of imbalance. I suspect her primary issue is that the first rib (T1) on her left side is out of position (and this imbalance is probably causing the club foot). I believe that has caused her right psoas muscle to be in spasm due to compensation for the primary issue. And I believe her right hip is being pulled forward by that psoas in spasm, which has caused compensatory issues with her hocks, which are now becoming inflamed. The left hock probably became sore first ( because of the right hip issue) and now the left hock is involved. Of course, this is all my personal opinion, based on what I believe to be a conversation with your mare as pictured in your post. Now you have some specific questions to ask your team of practitioners, if you choose to pursue this. |
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| calatar |
Your mare looks like she has made some wonderful progress. |
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| RickB. |
The upper body imbalances are the result of the club foot, not the other way around. For if your contention were true, then the low heel long toe most generally seen on the contralateral limb would be due to the imbalance higher up. Unfortunately, there is nothing that substantiates either of your theories.
Let the reader beware. The referenced article contains no scientific evidence to support the theory expressed. The article is full of supposition, mis-information and obfuscatory sleight of (pen in) hand couched in a manner meant to create a situation of believability without proof for and by the reader.
While chiropractic adjustments and ESMT may be of use when dealing with the hind end, they are of little lasting value for the front end for a few reasons. 1. The front end is merely slung in place so regardless of what is done, top or bottom, if the horse doesn't like it, he merely 'shrugs his shoulders' until he is again comfortable. 2. Even with regular massage, it is extremely difficult to cause the muscle of the deep flexor tendon to permanently lengthen. Without that adaptation, the horse will continue to exhibit the club foot if even to only a lesser degree. 3. Taking the heels down on a club footed horse and backing up the toe to remove the dish and establish a different toe breakover location most always results in the horse not being able to load the heels of that hoof without pain, particularly in the DDFM.. Pain causes contraction in the DDFM muscle body which causes, through its 'slave' the DDFT, the heels to be lifted even higher off the ground which then leads to exuberant heel growth so the horse can again achieve a modicum of stability and relief. 4. As is also true with humans, the value of chiropractic adjustments only lasts so long as you do not continue to do the things that caused the problem in the first place. Which explains why the proper use of orthotics is both important and necessary to properly manage the situation and retain a semblance of 'normalcy'(whatever that means) for the hoof/limb.. Additionally, The contra-lateral hind to either front limb/hoof, will exhibit, to one degree or another, the same as its diagonal pair in front. And the disparity will also be present higher in the limb. However, because there is a 'joint at the top', adjustments made at the bottom have a much higher success rate. It is also noteworthy that in most all instances, if the horse is booted or shod, it will be likely that the horse will pull the orthotic on the [front] high heeled side. Of course, this presumes a correct trim and orthotic application have been provided. By the same token, a barefoot horse is also more likely to interfere on the high heeled front side. There is also a school of thought that theorizes that in order for the horse to be comfortable on his front end, the horse will rotate its thorasic cavity downwards on the same side as the club foot. To get an idea of the implications or this action, get down on all fours and rotate your chest in one direction or the other. Note what occurs with the other structures of your body.
Just the first rib? So I can better understand your thinking, what are your qualifications to make that statement?
Or, more likely, the club foot is causing the imbalance.......
I beg to differ. The left hind(remember, a horse is 'made on the diagonal') becomes involved because of the same issues as its contra-lateral front partner. And while one may assume the left hock became sore first, a more plausible explanation would be that it was the right that first started to hurt because it , along with its contra-lateral front, was having to assume more of the work load. Many of these horses show marked improvement/recovery in the 'clubby' hind with the simple addition of a lift (ie: rim pad) to the orthotics on the clubby hind side. Dr. Esco Buff has published ( http://search.barnesandnoble.com/...sparity/Esco-Buff/e/9780976635031 ) some work regarding the asymmetry of the front end (limb length disparity)and how and why he has had success dealing with it. If you get a chance to read his book and/or attend a seminar where his is speaking on that topic, it will prove worthwhile and thought provoking. Those of us who are old enough to remember Tony Gonzales and his theory of Proper Balanced Movement and read his [now out of print] book and had discussions with him, have been pondering and dealing with club foot/limb length disparity/whatever, for many years.
Does this mean that you have psychic abilities? What if you're wrong and you were conversing with a different horse? |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Hey Rick:
FINALLY!!!! I agree with everything you said and I have Tony's book right here next to me
While I believe in Animal Communication, all the good ones I've used have never been so specific. Seems as if someone feels they can tread upon diagnostic ground, without even being asked. I thought the owner was bragging, and more power to her. MissT can you clarify time frame for me. What are the time frames between the grainy "rescue" photos and the pix you posted yesterday? |
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| RickB. |
You are one lucky lady! Ya' know, if you were to surreptitiously make a copy of that book and said copy were to somehow find its way to my mail box, I would be [not forever ] in your debt. I would also remember you in my prayers were I to attend a house of worship and could remember how to pray.......  :D
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| Kim Cassidy |
I'll see what I can do my friend. But as I've told Leah, you have to go over to COTH and say Kim Cassidy is the most brilliant hoof care professional in these modern times
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| Chablis |
Welcome to the forum, RickB. 
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| MissTequilla |
Yup, I guess I was sort of bragging  Can ya blame me? I'm just in love with this horse and I'm proud of how far she's come, although we're not at the end of the road yet. I'm thinking those pictures were taken a year and a half ago. They are the only ones I had and were scanned from pictures printed on paper, so the quality is terrible, but she does look a lot better now.
Anyways, I'm always open to new information. I am confident in both my farrier and my vet but am always looking to gain more knowledge, especially from such knowlegeable people here on the forum. I just figured I'd give a little update on my special girl. |
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| MissTequilla |
Oops, forgot to add that my camera went kaput a few weeks ago and just quit working so until I get a new camera I can't get more pictures. I'll try to get some sometime though. | ||||||||||||||
| alexwein |
Brag away!!! I'd brag too, and lots!!! Keep on updating. It's normal to want to show off our beautiful equine friends and what we are doing with them! |
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| misstux |
This is for Rick B. and anyone else with no experience with distance body scanning. A distance body scan was done on my horse Scout and an e-mail sent to me with the results. At Scout's next chiropractic visit, his chiropractor found him to be out exactly where the person who did the long distance body scan said he was out. Those were not his "normal" places to be out. The chiropractor did not know anything about the body scan. The person who did the long distance scan has never met Scout. You all are free to believe whatever you want based on your experience. I believe what I believe based on my experiences in life. | ||||||||||||||
| RickB. |
What information, if any, about you and your horse, did you provide to the scanner prior to the scanning taking place?
Also, the scan performed on Ms. Tequilla's horse was, apparently, unsolicited, so again I ask, what if the wrong horse ws scanned? |
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| Kim Cassidy |
I've already explained I'm a believer in Animal Communication, I've used a few communicators and have tried it myself here and there.
My concern would be with someone offering unsolicited communication information and in such detail as well. How does Marty know he connected with the correct horse? I'm in 100% agreement with Rick. |
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| RickB. |
Done!!!  
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| Kim Cassidy |
Oh no you didn't That is too funny!
Book is on it's way, PM or email me your address. |
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| jokersmama |
Now that's funny! I don't care who you are!
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| RickB. |
Oh yes I did. Look for the thread titled "The results are in"
And since I'm playing the part of an insomniac right now, here's some more food for thought for you(the collective) to ponder. 1. If a new born foal is born with a club foot, why is that not reflected in his shoulder? 2. An acquired club foot on a horse that has not previously presented with the condition, usually manifests between 14-18 months of age. If the proposition that the club foot is caused by events further up the leg is true, then why has it never been shown that the limb asymmetry, particularly at the shoulder is not present sooner and thus enable the human connections to start a management protocol much sooner? 3. Since Miss T's horse has not been shown to have ever read an Equine Veterinary Anatomy textbook, or for that matter, a book of any kind, how is it that that horse knows the human anatomical names for its various and sundry parts? I mean, think about it. Who here, upon reflection and consideration, believes that that horse knows that for instance, some of the muscle(s) in question is/are referred to by humans as the Psoas muscle(s)? Further, if indeed the horse did know the name given by humans to those muscles, would he not have been more specific and indicated which psoas, the minor psoas or the iliopsoas was involved and to what degree? The same [disquieting] question applies to any reference by any horse to its human connection regarding any part of the equid anatomy that bears a human anatomical name. 4. How do we know that the horse was communicating in English and how did he learn the language? 5. Are equine animal communicators/distance body scanners bound by an oath or code of ethics to not reveal any barn gossip or other salacious information passed on to him/her by the horse?
6. The Lone Ranger's mask was made from what? |
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| alexwein |
Ha! and Huh??? I'm both confused and amused by this thread.... | ||||||||||||||
| misstux |
I provided a picture of Scout and his name. |
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| RickB. |
What view of the horse did the photo provide? Can you post the picture in question here? |
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| Blue Flame |
RickB,
I'm not sure what to make of your questions and comments regarding the animal communicator. However, I know that an animal can communicate a feeling to suitably receptive people. It may not name the part in words. Communication can also be in pictures. For example, my daughter ocassionally gets an ache or such in a various parts of her own body when spending time with various horses. Afterwards, we find that the horse has an issue in a corresponding part of its own anatomy. It is in no way certain or definite that the two will correspond, but they have corresponded often enough in the past that we are inclined to investigate. |
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| RickB. |
Other than questions 5 & 6, which were made with levity, not "snarkiness"(is that even a word?)as some appear to have taken from them, the questions speak for themselves. The are designed to cause one to think deeply rather than superficially and to perhaps question that which they either assume to be true or accept as dogma because " 'so and so' said it" so it must be true."
OK, fair enough. Non-verbal communication is a recognized form of interaction within species and between species. Most any horseman can look at a horse and tell when there is something wrong, and by the non-verbal actions of the horse, often determine the area of discomfort. No mind melds, just experience and tenure. How does the horse create a picture of, for example. a sore back that identifies, precisely, the psoas muscle group and the sub-group contained therein?
Unfortunately you may be engaging in a logical fallacy of 'Affirming the Consequent where one draws a conclusion from premises that do not support that conclusion, or, a logical fallacy known as a "Fallacy of False Cause" aka: a Non Sequitur. ie: my daughter worked with Punkin' today. Now she has a belly ache. Therefore, Punkin' had/has a belly ache. And, even if one accepts that an AC, in the physical presence of the horse, accurately/actively communicates with the horse, how does an AC or someone who says they perform 'distance body scanning' communicate with a photograph? And, if one accepts the premise of animal communication, how does that jibe with the plethora of non-diagnosed/diagnosable lameness' that daily afflict the horse population? I would think that an AC would be able to quickly pinpoint the whys and wherefores of the problem(s)/pathology. And for the record, I am not, at least to my knowledge, and Animal Communicator in the sense that the term is being used here. However, I find that I am a rather astute observer of animal behavior and that definitely communicates things to me. As do different smells that a horse emits. For example, a horse with an infected tooth acts and smells a certain way. An ability to interpret those actions and smells comes not from mind melding, rather it comes from, as noted earlier, experience and tenure. |
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| ladycfp |
Oh, no, not again. Farrier and Hoofcare AND Animal Communicators.
A $hitstorm is brewing for sure. Hope I'm wrong and we are all just amused. |
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| alexwein |
Yeah, wasn't this part of what caused the last big one? Both subjects people seem to have strong reactions to. I have my doubts about pyschic diagnoses via scanned photographs, but I think the owner can decide. Doubts don't equal judgments or knowledge, so they may be unwarranted. I think allowing grown up adult people to make their own choices and respecting those choices is really the bottom line. Like if my life experience and my own evaluation of the information dictates that I get my horse shod, given my circumstances, her feet, etc., that is my right and my choice. I'm getting pretty sick of the zealot-like attitude of people about barefoot riding, and the judgments that come with it. At the same time, I respect their own personal decisions to have their horses unshod totally, knowing that most of them are very responsible horse owners who love their horses.
I just want the same respect and acknowledgment WITHOUT the condescension that often comes with it. One last thing, I really loathe unsolicited advice for the most part. Which is why I tend to NOT post too many photos of myself or my girl on forums. But again, that's the owner's decision. Maybe a horse owner would welcome such advice and you know what? That person can say so, one way or another. Agree to disagree, folks! Or else keep your conversations civil, reasonable and constructive. That's how I'd like to see it. Of course, I'd also like a million dollars to fall into my lap so I can buy a farm, a truck and trailer, and help a whole lot of my friends and family. Can't always have it the way you want it, eh?? |
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| whudson |
Just want to say ditto...
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| PasoBaby_CarolU |
Yes. You guys give me NIGHTMARES!!!
I will ask that we keep the AC stuff in the SPIRIT forum and FARRIER stuff in this forum. I do find that people are very passionate about what they believe in...and it frequently turns into $hitstorms for sure!
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| RickB. |
I'd be happy to do that. However the topic was brought onto this forum as an explanation/rationale/defense(?) for someone's horse and hoofcare opinions. Others followed suit +/-. Having done so, said individuals opened the door for discourse on that subject and its relativity. I was not then, nor am I now impugning their position. However, if one is going to use something as a rationale, they they should be ready for tough questions and/or comments that require more than a 'superficial flick of the wrist' as an answer. As a scientist, wouldn't you expect the same? |
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| Chablis |
I thought we were talking about a visual assessment of a horse.  I didn't realise it was spiritual.
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| Blue Flame |
Fair enough. I haven't visited the Spirit of the Horse forum yet, but I doubt that debating the reality (or not) of AC will really resolve anything over there. RickB, twice in his post used the phrase "if one accepts". For me, that is the whole crux of the matter. Some do, some don't and it is unlikely that either one will persuade the other. I will however, begin a thread in the Spirit of the Horse forum regarding Dr. Deb's "Plasma Body". Purely because I find the concept intriguing. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Chablis: Marty posted this back on page 2 of this thread:
It appears he is basing his diagnosis of a rib being out and a muscle being pulled on a conversation he had while looking at a picture of the OP's horse. As I've said I totally believe in Animal Communication. I've just never heard anyone be so specific UNSOLICITED ;D That is my point and Rick might have another and Carol may want it all on some other forum Ugh so many choices.
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| Clarissa |
In my teens while employed as a jillaroo I worked for a horse trainer who said he could tell what was right or wrong with a horse just by looking at it’s hoof prints including a shod horse. He showed me many things which I thought were reasonable, but most went right over my head until I started NH. He said the horse’s mental & physical state showed in it’s feet. Recently I have had cause to revisit that info as I regularly see a little mare with very bad feet mostly created by her owner’s attempts at trimming using 1of the recently popular methods. (says she tenuously thinking of her own situation )
I can see how if a horse had a muscle spasm along it’s side caused by some rib problem for example, that would change the way the leg was used, the way the hoof was placed on & left the ground (arc of the stride) & therefore eventually cause a particular wear pattern on the bearing surface of the hoof or shoe or even go so far as to affect the whole shape of the hoof.
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| Chablis |
Yeah unsolicited advice can be a bit rough. |