This is Founder! Photo Test

[Skinfaxi]

I'm just putting up pics of the foundered pony I told you about earlier.
As far as I know, this pony is still "saved from slaughter" living in that woman's backyard! She "couldn't afford" to even try (however hopeless)to help the thing. IMO death is better than a life with feet like that. ARGGGHHH! I could just pull my hair out sometimes!

http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/scan0002-20060305191101.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/scan0002-20060305191101.jpg/view/)

http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/scan0003-20060305191101.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/scan0003-20060305191101.jpg/view/)

http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/scan0004-20060305191255.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/scan0004-20060305191255.jpg/view/)


What would you do? I just chopped the toe off and told her to call a vet, get bloodwork done(long hair? metabolic issues? It was winter though) and rads. Not that I couldn't guess at what was going on here, but she was "saving" the animal...so....

[EileenHughes]

There was a pony like this near me. I stopped and talked to the owner and he was aware that the pony was foundered in all four.

Spoke with Sheriff, who in turn spoke with owner's vet, and it was decided that since there is no "cure" for founder, that there was nothing more to be done. :mad:

I offered to buy the pony (I was going to bring it home and shoot it actually), but since it was the children's pet, he was not for sale. :mad:

I wold pass this farm regularly and would usually see the pony lying down in the lush pasture he was left on. :(

I believe that he will be only given as much pain as he can bear....that thought keeps me sane when I see this kind of cruelty.

I don't see him anymore, I hope he has passed on.

I think some people are just oblivious to the suffering of a **** beast....and I believe that they will have to answer for that someday.

[Forgewizard]

Poor Pony!

YES that owner is being neglectful, although she believes she has saved the horse. I'd runoff copies of founder articles and stop in and talk with her. BE direct, factual and to the point.

If that approach doesn't work, try your local SASPCA, Humane Society, ARNI Foundation or local vets office to see if there is a local group that can help with donations to assist inthe necessary care.

Maybe she could barter for services. If money is trully an object then she shouldn't even HAVE the pony!

Ponies are tough critters and will just keep keepin on regardless of their care.

Of course you could always chalk it up to one of those things in life you have no conttrol over. You'll have to weigh your options and decide for yourself how involved you want to get.

Regards,
Kim

[Skinfaxi]

I thought of doing more, but since I am trying to build a clientel I think "forcing", "complaining" and "insulting" anyone is something I ought not do. People can be touchy when they are in the wrong. I don't have enough...anything, to back it up, even when I am right. She would have to care to listen, and I already know she doesn't care...

But more than that, there are SO many like this one(to varying degrees), that is trailer park ponies, that I could never begin to do that much legwork for all of them. I might want to, and it might make me very upset, but if I let myself get emotional about every horse(like I did when I started) I really would end up quiting, because of the hopelessness(more human than horse) of some situations.

I must have used the word "PAIN" twenty times when I was talking to the woman. When she turned the **** beast back out with the 2yr stud :eek: they have and put corn :eek: :mad: down for them(after I said NO grains/treats and take her off grass not 5 minutes earlier.) I just stayed silently enraged.

Then the stud tried to mount her immedietly. I said that the pair should be seperated. The poor thing couldn't even kick at him or run away, so he mounted while she ate corn!! She asked WHY! I said the world didn't need one more pony, plus the mares condition would make pregnancy very difficult...and started back to my car. As I walked away she said a baby would be cute. Yeah. So far people like this are the only ones who have called me....hmmm, fun.

Sigh....It'll improve, but I wonder if that isn't the most rediculous garbage ever!?! I just don't get it, but maybe I'm not supposed to. Maybe I just do what I can to deal with **** beasts. :cool:

[Rick Burten]

Call animal control or the Hooved Animal Humane Society(you may have better luck with HAHS). This person should not be allowed to keep this (or any) horse/pony if she is not willing to do what it takes to correctly maintain them.

You may also be in a bit over your head when it comes to trimming feet like this. If you get the opportunity and can find a more experienced farrier to help you, you will be well served to get that input and help.

[Skinfaxi]

Yeah Rick, I know. I wasn't going to touch it again. Period. She is not invested enough to even have the vet out and buy Bute(or anything!) to kill some of the pain. Noone can be that heartless/clueless can they?

I am all for calling HAHS, but I only worry about how doing that(repeatedly :eek: ) to "clients" would turn out for me in the long run.
If she were interested in trying to ease the problem, I would have gotten another, experienced farrier in on it. Even just watching would have been great on a case like this one.

[Gary Hill]

You could always just do the pony for free and get some experience out of it. I did quite a few when I started and you get pretty good press out of it as long as you did it because no one was going to do anything anyway! Good Luck! Gary

[Skinfaxi]

Gary, I would fear liablity should I mess up royally :D . I would want guidance through one as bad as this, at least. The vet would still need to come out...that may not happen.

(Academic) If I were to try it for free, I would use EDSS with hoof pack and go about moving the heels back slowly, about 2 weeks? Trimmed once/twice a week? There was a callous about where one would picture the P3 tip being. It may have protruded. I think any sole there was terribly thin. That right there is the thing I wouldn't know how to protect while trying to move breakover and heels back in place.

Would foam and sterile hoof pack be enough?

Plus the dramatic uprightness of the pastern/alignment would have me unsure about how to lower the heels without causing more problems. The way the foot is shaped(I wish I had taken a palmar shot) suggests any lowering of the heel that did not achieve a more proper P1/2 alignment would drop the horse onto the P3. The sole was very bulged and close to the ground already with almost no frog left.The toe was curved and open in front, not doing much. Nearly all weightbearing was on the quarters. They curled in slightly. Or at least I belive so. The pony is clearly staying off her heels, I think that because of her stance and the dramaticly shrivled frog and contracted heels. She never moved out of that position(just look at her hind end) But the toe was doing nothing but tripping her at that stage. No support at all.

Thoughts? Corrections?

[Mike Ferrara]

I've done a lot of them like that over the years. Those aren't even that bad...considering I've seen those rocking chair rocker feet that were pushing 12 inches in length. Over the last few months I've done 2 donkeys like that, both of which required chemical restraint to work on. I've been charging around $100 to trim them when they're like that and I do my best to educate folks a bit while I'm there but I think it all falls on deaf ears. You'd think that the hundred dollar trim would educate them but it doesn't. In one case, the guy has cattle and administered the drugs himself and in the other recent case the owner paid a vet to come out in addition to paying me.

I don't even think that there's any one to report them to around here. The vets are in and out of some of these places all the time for other animals and they don't seem to see fit to take any action or even say anything to the owners about it. Since the vets don't raise an eyebrow over it, they probably think that I'm just trying to get rich selling them a bill of goods when I do. So...I try. In the mean time, I try to charge enough to make it worth doing.

[Rick Burten]

I am all for calling HAHS, but I only worry about how doing that(repeatedly :eek: ) to "clients" would turn out for me in the long run.
Truth is Sarah, this person is never going to be much of if at all, a client. and, you have to ask yourself if you want your good name associated with such a person.

Call and file a complaint. Your name will be kept out of it anyway. Besides, sometimes it takes a lot of courage to do the right thing even though short term, that may cause you some grief. Remember, the only person who has to be happy and satisfied and content with you is the man/woman in the mirror.

[Mike Ferrara]

Gary, I would fear liablity should I mess up royally :D . I would want guidance through one as bad as this, at least. The vet would still need to come out...that may not happen.

(Academic) If I were to try it for free, I would use EDSS with hoof pack and go about moving the heels back slowly, about 2 weeks? Trimmed once/twice a week? There was a callous about where one would picture the P3 tip being. It may have protruded. I think any sole there was terribly thin. That right there is the thing I wouldn't know how to protect while trying to move breakover and heels back in place.

Don't do anything for free. That's total insanity.

Would foam and sterile hoof pack be enough?

Plus the dramatic uprightness of the pastern/alignment would have me unsure about how to lower the heels without causing more problems. The way the foot is shaped(I wish I had taken a palmar shot) suggests any lowering of the heel that did not achieve a more proper P1/2 alignment would drop the horse onto the P3. The sole was very bulged and close to the ground already with almost no frog left.The toe was curved and open in front, not doing much. Nearly all weightbearing was on the quarters. They curled in slightly. Or at least I belive so. The pony is clearly staying off her heels, I think that because of her stance and the dramaticly shrivled frog and contracted heels. She never moved out of that position(just look at her hind end) But the toe was doing nothing but tripping her at that stage. No support at all.

Thoughts? Corrections?

I think foam is great if they're accute but no one is going to be out there replacing it unless you're there every day. I doubt any one is going to pay for shoes or vet work either.

I'll give you my take on it. First of all, there isn't much you can do to make it worse short of ending up with a piece of P3 on the end of your knife. In my experience you just aren't ever going to have the advantage of radiographs in these cases. Still you can usually get them a lot more comfortable by applying some common sense. It's hard to get started because it's hard to see a foot in that mess. Believe it or not, though, usually you can find something in there that almost looks like a foot.

The toe that's curled up in the air isn't doing anything and there isn't usually any sole growing with it. I nip that off from the front until I start to get to where there's some sole. Some guys use a saw but I get along fine with my nippers. More of the dish can be taken from the front with a rasp (take some care here). Since these feet may have BIG TIME rotation, I think you're right to question the sole thickness and I defoliate carefully and only the stuff that obviously looks like it can come out. Just following that sole usually lets you get a lot of heel off and even the quarters are often grown way beyond the sole. I know your worried about removing too much heel but take a good look and you'll see that most of these are rocked so far back that you'll likely end up with less DDFT strain once you get them some real support again (when there's a buttress again rather than a big rocker). Surprisingly, some of these actually trim up pretty good. Also surprisingly, some of these ponies and donkeys can stand around like that for many many years and do ok with a little bit of trimming here and there. They might really do well with a little change in diet.

As with all things, don't do any more than you're comfortable with. It's better to take off too little than too much and taking more off later is easier than trying to put it back on. You also need to read each foot so don't take anything I said as an "always do it this way" tutorial...more of a general approach.

Ethically? I hope a few of these animals were a little better off because I was willing to work on them even if I couldn't make the owner "see the light". I also hope the owners are doing a little more poorly after paying my bill because they sure deserve it.

[Mike Ferrara]

Truth is Sarah, this person is never going to be much of if at all, a client. and, you have to ask yourself if you want your good name associated with such a person.



This is absolutely true. They may call you once every other year if they aren't too embarassed. If they are, they get somebody different every time.

The scary thing is, the number of these things that are rescue animals to start with. I don't know from personal experience but I'm told that if they have food and water it's unlikely that any one is going to do anything. As I said, I've noticed that there aren't too many vets who have much to say about it so who's going to back you up?

[Skinfaxi]

Thanks for the advice. Rick you are right. I forgot, I can do it anonymously. The more I think about it the more I know I should call someone. Does HAHS have a facility near here? I know our animal control would be an utter waste of a dime. So far the vets around here are the same way....shame, but I think it stems from knowing where words are wasted....

(Mike) "think foam is great if they're accute but no one is going to be out there replacing it unless you're there every day. I doubt any one is going to pay for shoes or vet work either."

True.

I can see where the foot is, it is just the palmar conditions that would hold me up.

I didn't say I would work for free. I wouldn't want to get a full book or anything, now would I?

A bit of pleasantness: I have a 2 horse job this weekend. I have on my cards that I train as well; groundwork,standing for me or whoever, trailer loading and problem horses. Don't scoff :) If I must do it anyway, I'm gonna get paid and I still enjoy training. One: just trim. Two: The young man bought a horse(famous last words) and had it shipped from Kansas. His sister knew the horse in Kansas and said it carried a preg. woman and kids. In reality who knows.

Bad cut heel in transport and the vet tranqed him to the ground to fix it. Since then the horse strikes at anyone that comes near it. And backs away in fear.

Time, time, time=money,money,money. Easy peasey lemon squeezey. And I get paid for it. Not sure if that one will get trimmed that day(doubt it.) Owner claims progress until attemped vaccines(needle) last weekend, then Hell broke loose. I'm friends with the Devil though so I think I can manage. I love hardcases, they make me look good.

Don't worry I have started walking into every barn like it is a warzone. Expect the worst, do your best and get some pleasure from the carnage.(jk sort of)


Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind when I run into a similar case. Rick, I think I Will call someone out on her...she has NO right to fail the animal for her own selfish desire to look at it.

[Mike Ferrara]

Sarah, the comment I made about doing it for free was more in response to what Gary said than it was to anything you said.

[Skinfaxi]

OH I know...I was joking too. lol I'm just not as good at it as you guys!

Hows this for a mark up? I don't think I'm right on....hmmm

http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/scan0003mark-20060307003732.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/scan0003mark-20060307003732.jpg/view/)

[Gary Hill]

Mike, sorry to upset you! We all read about how bad people treat their animals and how no one wants to get involved usless you get paid. I told her to do it for free because it seems to bother her that no action is being taken at all. She might just learn something in the process if she does it? Do I recommend we all work for free? NO! But we all need to give back sometimes and I thought and have done it myself! Sat. I work at the Vet clinic shoeing the Vets personal horses and anything ,that needs anything that comes in while I'm there. Well a young lady with a older horse with really bad feet comes in for something differant and she asked if I could trim the mare while I was here. She uses the old mare for handicapped kids to ride, she gives her time to HELP with these Special children! She told me to come by the arena and she would pay me as she was running late to get to them (The kids). I drove to the arena and see all these Special Kids with smiles on their faces and there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to charge her a penny for Fixing her horse! Lighten up pal and give alittle some time , You might just get something back for it some day! I've done this many times over the past 28 years and God willing will do it when I see fit. Have a Good Day, Gary Hill

[Skinfaxi]

Well, Gary I didn't take it that way. I know what you were saying. You have a point and you are right that experience is more valuable to me than money right now. But This horse isn't a rehab horse either, it is plain neglect. Ordinarily working for free is Insanity. I had already thought to do it for free or minimum IF she would get the vet out, but she won't.

Easy there everyone....

[beslagsmed]

I always carry a camera in the rig. When people ask me why I am taking pictures my reply is, " To put on my homepage so everyone can see how you take care of your horses." This works better than calling the animal control, police and such. Have had some good results from it.

Mikel

[Foxy Filly]

Hi there, Im going thru pretty much the same thing at the moment, neglected ponies, serious feet issues, founder, ribby, hungry, infections in feet, wont walk and in pain. One pony been terribly lame for over 1 year and has been on 2 sachates of bute per day in that time, thats all the vet recamended. Vet has been visiting this place for 4 yrs now off and on.
The woman has very bad diabeties and is very fragile, no money, but she loves her ponies, has had ponies all her life.
I wonder how, if she loves them so much and has had other ponies, how could she let them get to this state :mad:
I have trimmed them twice in the last couple of weeks, but have managed to talk her into getting x-rays tomoro, but even if there is some hope of recovery, she cant do anything to help with the rehibitation, so where do I go from here... I dont think I'll argue with the vet (this time) if he/she say's put them down.
It's a hard one, ya feel for the animals, but some people just shouldnt have them, maybe they'd be better with a goldfish.

[Richard K]

I wish goldfish did it for some folks! Some days it feels like there aren't any sound horses out-there...what are these people doing? Of course there is another side to every story....my horses could be better.

[Richard K]

Easy there everyone....[/QUOTE]

[Skinfaxi]

I'm saving for a decent digital camera. And hey, they would just overfeed the goldfish too.

It is cheaper to flush than farrier...

My last question. To anyone with a good answer. How do I reconcile lowering the heels in a case like this to myself. Where can I see pics of before and after neglect that is this upright. I can't get over the feeling when I look at it, that lowering the heels would drop the animal straight down on the P3. I know Mike said I would be surprised, but I just can't "realistically picture" the hoof swinging back down. This confounds me the most.

[Red Amor]

AY SKINNY
Wonder if you could buy the horse cheep
take it home of rehome it , work on it all you like then ;)

[Forgewizard]

Sarah,

It is quite likely that the P3 has considerable demineralization. WHile you can easily get rid of the curled up part of the hoof - a bone saw would work nicely.

I'd work with the nippers on the rest of the hoof.

I did a pony like that a while back. Poor thing was blind,owned by an elderly guy. Pony had been in their family for eons. Pony's pen didn't even have a gate on it! Had to climb over to get inside! Feed box was full of grain piled on and piled on where the old guy had just kept dumping it over the fence! Pony had trompled the ground to the point where he could barely get his muzzle up to the edge of the feed bin and would just lap at the grain with his tongue! The poor blind thing had a circuit he walked day and night.

His hooves had curled up like the one in your photo. I worked on that guy for hours because I DIDn't have a saw!

All the while I was fretting and sweating over the little guy, I was getting an earful of how all his kids had learned to ride on that pony. Thankfully I could grit my teeth as I squeezed the nipper reins- because I just couldn't see how someone could let a member of their family deteriorate so!

Finally got a decent looking hoof on the little guy. At least he got help for the last several months of his life.

You'll find that as you work back the toe, the un shed- overgrown frog will have been pulled forward too. So just rip that gnarly thing off. The walls will have curled around and under the hoof too, so just keep nipping them back. Once you geta level ground surface and the toe back you'll start to see the real hoof inside that mess.

Without x rays, as you get closer to the limb you'll have to go easier. I suspect that your mark up may not be as vertical along the dorsal aspect as the pony's P3 really is (or what is left of it).

If there is considerable demineralization of P3 - no amount of realignment or heel location change will relieve him of his pain.

If that owner has any inkling of really wanting to help this pony - go at procuring xrays from the point of possibility that P3 is dissolving inside that hoof.
Good luck!
Regards,
Kim

[Mike Ferrara]

Mike, sorry to upset you! We all read about how bad people treat their animals and how no one wants to get involved usless you get paid. I told her to do it for free because it seems to bother her that no action is being taken at all. She might just learn something in the process if she does it? Do I recommend we all work for free? NO! But we all need to give back sometimes and I thought and have done it myself! Sat. I work at the Vet clinic shoeing the Vets personal horses and anything ,that needs anything that comes in while I'm there. Well a young lady with a older horse with really bad feet comes in for something differant and she asked if I could trim the mare while I was here. She uses the old mare for handicapped kids to ride, she gives her time to HELP with these Special children! She told me to come by the arena and she would pay me as she was running late to get to them (The kids). I drove to the arena and see all these Special Kids with smiles on their faces and there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to charge her a penny for Fixing her horse! Lighten up pal and give alittle some time , You might just get something back for it some day! I've done this many times over the past 28 years and God willing will do it when I see fit. Have a Good Day, Gary Hill

You certainly didn't upset me and I don't see anything wrong with donating time or money when you see fit. I have to admit that being called to work on these neglected animals by people who are never going to provide regular care and do nothing until the animal can barely move enough to get food and water doesn't put me in a giving mood but to each their own. I wouldn't compare a situation like this to your free trim mantioned above. Giving is a good thing but so is good stewardship.

[Skinfaxi]

Thanks Kim, I wasn't sure about the angle. I could see how it may not be as steep, but I always assume the worst possiblity, that way I can be thrilled when it is not that bad.

I was just going by the amount of bulge I remember, The fact that the "P3 callous" was not far in front of the frog, and what little was still attatched at the coronary band.

What tells you it may not be so steep?

(edit: I should read more carefully...)

And Red: As nice as that sounds, I don't buy lame horses. It would prove harmful to me. It was a kind thought though :)

(edit)Oh! And even though it was a play on my screen name, I don't think "SKINNY" is an accurate desription of me, lol :D

[Gary Hill]

Skinfaxi, once you do a few of these you will answer alot of your own questions. We worked on lots of little foundered ponies when I went to school back in 1978. It is amazing how these little guys will respond so much better that a larger horse. As Kim said, saw part of it off and go after it and you will be able to help alot. One day, someone will actually pay you to do this for them so why pass on practice as a young unexperienced farrier?

[Forgewizard]

Sarah,

It is more of a hunch than anything associated with xray vision. And some experience with similar ponies in that condition. When the hoof capsule becomes so overgrown and curls like that - all our normal markers and parameters go out the window.

Don't forget that the hoof capsule is being distorted because of the detatchment of P3. That capsule seems to rotate quite close to the top of the hoof- so I'd guess the detachment is severe- leading my to believe that P3 is quite vertical - OR almost non existant!

Did that lady "rescue" the pony with hooves like that? Or have the hooves grown to that distortion since she had it? If she got the pony with upturned hooves already, that will also red flag the possibility that P3 is demineralized.

Measure the ground surface length of the hoof and divide (or mark off increments) the length by 3/8 and that will give you an approximation of how many months its been since the pony was last trimmed.

Your best indicator will be the density ( or crumbliness- is that a word?) of the sole material as you get closer to the real hoof.

Taking the toe will freak you out a bit- especialy when you run into old blood pockets. Analyze the laminae- old laminae will be yellowed.

Get a decent set of knee pads, I like the ones that have a hard shell on the outside and dense padding on the inside. Don't forget a tall H2O bottle- you'll be on your knees for a while! A pair of one handed nippers will be indispensible for a job like this.

If not, you can always tuck the pony's leg under your bent kneeas you are kneeling and go at the hoof with both hadns on the nipper reins.

Like Gary mentioned this kind of work actually does pa you in experience. I am in no way condoning working for free- charge the snot out of the lady! If she balks tell her that just because you are only there once- doesn't mean that you aren't having to trim that pony 6 times in that one visit!

Its tough when you are starting out, because you don't like that feeling of possibly alienating potential clients. But never forget- you have control over how to groom your clientele.

The owners that really DO care about their horses WILL find a way to pay for their necessary maintenance- other than that all you'll get will be excuses!

Heck nowadays one carton of cigarettes is equal to the cost of most normal trims! Drives me nuts when I see recycle bins full of beer cans and the owner smoking like a chimney with the excuse- "I just can't afford a regular farrier." Beleive me, I enlighten them to the reality of their budgeting ability!

You know, kind of like,"For the price of a cup of coffee a day for 6 weeks, you too can sponsor your horse's hoof care!"
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Kim

[Skinfaxi]

(Kim) "Don't forget that the hoof capsule is being distorted because of the detatchment of P3. That capsule seems to rotate quite close to the top of the hoof- so I'd guess the detachment is severe- leading my to believe that P3 is quite vertical - OR almost non existant!"

That's why I marked the pic up the way I did. Were you saying it might be More vertical than the way I marked it? Ok.

She said it was foundered when she got it, about 1-2 years ago. None of the farriers would help her!

I would consider doing this one for free, but not without a vet, and she already expresed the inability/unwillingness to pay for the vet....I don't know....Rock and a Hard Place. I mean Rick had a point about lack of experience.

I talked to the mother of the pony's owner at work today. She said she would talk to the young woman about me comming out again.

[beslagsmed]

Skinfaxi,
I have done a number of "skihooves" with out x-rays due to the fact I know the owners would never go to the expense of having them. At first I went slowly, making another appointment a week later to see how the pony went and then take some more. So far I have been lucky (knock on wood) and most came out ok. I had one I had to build heartbars for, but after a while he also did real well. One thing I do know many of them will be sore for a day or so because of the way they had to walk untrimmed, then the sudden change of angle. Many have come out real good. Here are some examples of what I do with my camera: http://www.dawson-horses.dk/page4.htm

Mike

[Skinfaxi]

Thanks guys.

I was re-reading my posts and I sound like an wishywashy @$$! I am either going to do horses or not. I have been terrified of making mistakes, but mistakes will be made in forward progress, No? I am only responsible to fix them, learn from them, and do my darndest not to repeat them. But doing nothing is just that!

Sometimes I give the best advice I never follow....to he11 with that...grrrr.

Mike, I like your hall of shame.*chuckle*

Kim, I am going to use your idea of comparing the owners care bill with sponsorship. It might work some.(< noncommital is a way of life for me it seems....lol)

Skinfaxi, once you do a few of these you will answer alot of your own questions.

I'm sure you are correct Gary, it is unnerving to see the first few times though. I contacted the owner of that pony, and she said that the pony is fine now(??). No trim, even for free. People are wierd. Next one I see, that is neglected that way, and it comes to the fact that the owner won't pay I'll get on it for free....Karma and all...It can't hurt anyway.

[Redd Mcintyre]

Hey kim or others, I have a small donkey that has front skids to do tommorrow. They said he is and has been on his heels. If you or any can tell me ...how much different is the hoof capsule compared to a pony. I did a pony that curled up with 10 inches of hoof took forever but found a decent hoof after i was done .
Redd McI

[Forgewizard]

Hey Redd,

By the time I saw this post - you've probably already done the little guy. How did the lil donk turn out?

Except for the hoof capsule being typically more narrow and upright than say a pony of the same size and the fact that the frog is literally behind the buttresses(as opposed to situated between the buttresses); a donkey P3 is the same as a pony P3 and hoof capsule arrangement.

How much fun did youhave doing him?

Inquiring minds are dying to know!
Regards,
Kim

[Redd Mcintyre]

thanks for the post kim,
they cancelled out , i will do the little one thursday :) i hope to have before and after pics. see ya then
redd

[Redd Mcintyre]

Well I got the little donkey done today. His back left and fore right both had at least 6 inches of dead hoof out the front. I wanted to take pictures but the client basically refused the thought. it was like cutting thru a 3inch diameter oak branch. i started with parring the frog that was huge in length, lifted it up and nipped it down to true form for the foot then parrred and parred the sole until i stopped finding dead flaky sole and found some good sole. I could see where the heel should be and started there nipping around towards the front. It was the hardest nipping I could imagine And of course the little beast I mean " my little buddy" just stood there nice and quiet! Yea right!!! after an hour i had a head band full of sweat and four little feet, he was standing more on his front of hoof and not rocking back on his heels. The best part the client has agreed to let me come back on four weeks cycle to keep him working on his toes to help keep them underneath him.
Redd Mcintyre

[Forgewizard]

Heck of a job Redd! Deosn't it make you wonder why these folks don't seem to be bothered by letting the poor horse's hooves grow and grow, but the minute you want to do***ent your own hard work, they nix it? I sure hope they follow through with their promises to keep him on scedule!


Regards,
Kim

[dianna marsolek]

offer to trim him free thats what i do and it werks aftre thay see the horse moving better thay will take better care of it but it doz not all ways werk