Documentary of a hoof resection

[llpoolej]

My mare had an infection take over her hoof(white line disease) and it ate away the inside of her hoof until her coffin bone sank.

Here is a documentary of her resection and corrective shoeing. The farrier had to make this shoe for her and cut the toe out of it.

Before resection:
http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/72983392-M.jpg

After resection
http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135589-M.jpg

Farrier working on her shoes
http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135642-M.jpg

Working on getting the last of the infection(the purple is old medicine)

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135691-M.jpg

Shoe from underneath
http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135736-M.jpg

From the side

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135750-M.jpg

Finished. Application of medicine applied

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135794-M.jpg

[BL3]

Showed these pics to Mrs. BL3, who immediately wanted to know if the work was recommended by either your Vet or Farrier. Mrs. 3 seems to feel that sometimes the Farrier is better informed on hoof problems than the Vet. Shots are of course properly exposed and focussed, and we have to thank you for posting them as they are a valuable resource for those of us who are stricken with the "let's get a horse" syndrome. To further the equestrian thread, Janey, our rescued racehorse has always been a chronic stall pacer, but Mrs. 3 has found some sort of floral/herbal concoction that seems to really help. Good luck with that mare.

Rocky

[llpoolej]

The vet did the diagnostics on the mare, with the radiographs and then the farrier got together with her, went over the rads and then set up a treatment plan.

She defers to him on shoeing and turnout and he worked off of the radiographs on how to line up the shoe and support the bony structure. So, thankfully they work together well. I am very pleased with his work

And yes, horses are almost as bad of money pits as boats. Sometimes worse. They are not something to buy as a pet or without the understanding that they like to self destruct and drain your wallet.

I bred and raised this mare and it is just not an option to lose her if I can help it. She is sweet, athletic and talented. Here is a photo of her at Easter

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/64775377-M.jpg

[Luke]

Thanks for sharing this, Julie.
I wish you all the best for the mare.
Luc

BTW, very good shots too.

[Bill_Turner]

This may be hard to believe from a cantankerous old bastard like me but I'm an animal lover.
The image of your mare and, I assume, your daughter actually overwhelmed me with emotion. What a great image and thank you for sharing the story.

[NrthrnHrse]

Wow that just makes me cringe looking at the pictures. Amazing!

[llpoolej]

Bill, the thought of her no longer being a sport horse did not upset me for myself, as she is an excellent broodmare. It upset me as I promised my daughter leading her she could have her as her competition horse when she was older. It would make my heart proud to have my daughter showing the horse I always wanted, bred and raised.

Good news is she is sound after her shoe was put on. I turned her out in the smallest paddock we have(1 acre) and she was overjoyed to be out. She trotted sound, she cantered sound even when doing multiple lead changes. Not to mention she was rearing and striking the air. She didn't tear around though so I let her stay out.

I think tonight will be the first night I have been able to sleep. I have been waking up with horrible guilt and worry since the vet called on Wednesday with the radiograph results.

My husband has been so good about all this. He Has let me have my crying fits and never has expressed any worry about the vet bills(which aren't going to be small) He loves the mare too. Most people do as she is just so sweet and full of personality

[windsprite]

Ouch! Your poor girl. I'm glad she seems to be doing better.

I really like the shot of the farrier and the sparks flying. I'm wondering if you have any more of him at work?

[llpoolej]

Here is a few more, though they are all pretty similar

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135656-O.jpg

I liked this one as the sparks were hitting him in the apron

http://llpoolej.smugmug.com/photos/73135666-O.jpg

[windsprite]

Cool! I like the first horizontal crop you posted, but these are neat, too. Thanks, Julie.

Come to think of it, I used to teach English to a woman here who was a farrier for a race horse ranch. I don't know about other countries, but in Japan it's extremely rare for women to do this kind of work.