Okay, this is not going to work...

ElaineW · Okay, this is not going to work...

oh my. I am already going nuts.
First of all I got my Pete Ramey book.. I am 1/2 way through already. Very excited about the information I am learning! I can't Wait to get started!!!
Now,, to Jet's feet.. Damn it. First of all I am 'thinking' he has a abscess in his front right. Yesterday I rode him for a bit, he got to limping and I got off. By the time we walked to the gate he was really in a limp. I rode for 30 minutes is all.
When I was untacking him he proped that foot up on it's toe. Never seen a horse do that before either.
Okay, I am to new at this to make to many predictions.. So I call Mr.A,, the person that's been doing my horses feet.. He can't make it. To busy.
so I soaked his foot this morning.
Called vet,, hell she's on vaction!..
Called a Bare Foot Trimmer, recommended by vet assistant, He can't be out till next thursday.
I am REALLY seeing my horses feet for the first time I reckon.
Jet needs things done NOW.. I am impatient .
I also have rented his Under The Horse, it's on it's way from giddyupflix..

So, the question.
How long did you all read, watch, study before you started to help your horse?
I HATE waiting on people LOL...
Feeling a little frustrated..

appellativo

This is where being a member of a good hoof group comes in handy. I really like the yahoo group barefoothorsecare. Maybe you can post some pics here though and we'll try to help you out. But definitely make an appt with your vet and trimmer as soon as they can come out.

jokersmama

I was scared to death to rasp on my horses hooves... I waited an entire year after I started studying!

Post some pics and you will get lots of advise! But only you can know for sure what to do for your horse.

My advise for an abscess (and I am not in anyway an expert but have nursed more than my share of abscesses also I'm pretty sure this is "old school" but it's what I was taught) is keep soaking it to keep the hoof softened so it will break open easier. Soak it twice a day for at least 20 min. in epsom salts. If you have any bute you can give that for the pain (call the vet office for dosing amount) and to keep him bearing weight on it, that will also help it to break open faster. Abscesses can be so painful for them

.

If it does break open before the vet gets there try and keep it clean, keep soaking it twice a day for 20 min. in epsom salts.

IF it breaks and after soaking it, you can take a maxi pad and put some epsom salt poultice (I get it at the feed store) on it and use vet wrap to secure it on his hoof then wrap over the vet wrap with duct tape making a boot out of it. Just don't go up onto his hairline unless you put vet wrap there first

Is there another vet you could call out?

Nashama

karmikacres

PasoBaby_CarolU

abscesses do show up very suddenly and although different horses react differently (I have on old stoic fellow who acts barely lame), some get really sore really fast. This old boy has soft feet and gets them every spring when we go through the thaw freeze cycle.

I agree with soaking in Epson salts or another poultice (there are many recipes on the Internet). I like to use disposable diapers and duct tape them on. if you can only manage once a day, then once a day it is and leave the diaper on as long as it lasts. It will eventually come to a head and your farrier or vet can open it and drain it. The relief will be instant. Then pack with with betadine soaked gauze, wrap it and keep it clean.

Abscesses are caused by many things, stone bruises that abscess are the most common, but a laminitis growing out will cause them in the pockets formed in the lamina. It's a rough thing to watch your horse go through, but you have to get through it. Sometimes you have a sound horse again within a few weeks.

Biotin in the diet for healthy regrowth.

I second the asprin IF needed. I find if I leave the diaper on it helps NOT to give pain meds since that limits the horse's movement. BUT, if you have it in two feet, then it's the kind thing to do for your horse.

I have had one that was VERY deep and when it came out, it came out through the coronary band, so they can be almost anywhere in the foot.

I don't trim my horses, my elbow and hands won't handle it, but I keep all the tools on hand to clip off cracks and smooth edges between regular trims. Every horsemen should have nippers and a hasp. You never kno when you'll need them.

Autumn

Don't try to trim only using the book. Pete has updated a lot of info in the DVDs so try to wait until you have a good understanding of the "innerhoof" before you pick up a rasp. Good luck!

alva

Also go to "thehorseshoof" or google James Welz. He has 4 trim casts that you can look at now. Look for the one about using hand tools, I think it was #2 but cannot remember.

Here is the link: http://www.thehorseshoof.com/ ( I found it for you)
When you get there, go to the link on the left side that says THH trimcast. It will be some education you can use. Not to mention tons of other info throughout the website.

Here is another link you may find helpful: http://www.barefoothorse.com/

Good luck. You can do this, just do your homework first.

It was scary at first for me but now the more I learn the better my trims are getting. I also educate myself as much as possible on the things that scare me, like heels and bars, so I can address those issues and not avoid them.

I never hesitate to ask a question or seek out help. We are here for you. There are some very well educated hoof people on here, contact them.. I know I certainly do..

appellativo

well so far I don't think there was any fighting but I think with any group there is the potential for misunderstanding etc. But this one seems good! just go to yahoogroups.com and then search for barefoothorsecare. this weeks pic is of three horses lying down.

Blue Flame

An natural and cheap alternative to aspirin is willow branches if you have access to them. When we've dealt with injuries and laminitis we've just made sure to cut a few small willow branches and leave them in the pasture allowing horse to self medicate. He'll usually devour them for a day or two, then leave them.

Autumn

Leah

Please do NOT touch your horse until next Thursday.

I am not a fan of read and rasp. In a DIRE emergency, sure...but you REALLY need hands on help.

ElaineW

Thank you all for your replies!
i won't do anything until I get help. I get frustrated though. I sorta wish I had been reading about this before now though,,, sigh,,
I got Pete's dvd's in the mail today,, and was well into the first one when I got the call about Chance being put down.. So now I feel mentally numb.

So for now,, soaking will continue till the expert gets here. Not that I was going to start right away,, I just get impatient.

Thanks for all of your thoughts,, links and advice..

Newfman

Was it an abscess?

Seems odd. Abcesses usually seem to pop up cranially, so why would the horse be taking weight off the heels? One would think that he would park his foot out in front of him and shift weight to the good side, unless the good side was just, not as bad as the bad side. I would have had to go for sore frog and weak digital cushion. Boot my horse and work on that.

What happened to this case?

ElaineW

Sorry about that!
I should have updated!!
No, it was not a abcess.
The vet came and we found out Jet has High Ringbone .
She said that with proper hoof care, and supplement and msm Jet would be fine with light frequent rides.
Oh, and he needed to lose weight,,

Which we are working on!
As a matter of fact, I rode him for a hour and a half monday morning.. and this morning he was fine.
I have noticed that he will be somewhat stiff at the beginning, but when he warms up he's doing good.
We just don't do anything other than walking though. And to be honest that's all I want to do at this point in my horsemanship anyways.
So now I am going Slow and Right, Instead of Fast and Wrong like I did with my other horse.
Jet had been on his supplements for a week now.. he is showing all around improvement!

Newfman

That is good to know. Glad Jet will be up to par soon.