Quick Fix to Ease DiscomfortSometimes I am not able to carefully sculpt a hoof back to health over the span of six months or a year. There are times when I am not given the option to come back even for a second trim, so I do as much as I can to help in that moment. I trim off as much as I possibly can, give as much balance and correction as possible, and ease as much pain as I'm able. It breaks my heart to leave these guys, because I know the work I've done is only temporary. Without the consent or help of the owner things get tricky. With this case I was able to get in and trim with the help of a watchful neighbor. This little guy not only hadn't been trimmed in far to long, he also had a history of founder. It was evident in his stance that he couldn't stand like he needed to, and it was starting to harm his joints and tendons. Luckily for him the founder hadn't been as destructive as it could have been, and his foot was set up nicely for a good "Lopping Off". I worked on this little champ for close to two hours. He stood as well as he could, but he was in quite a bit of discomfort in his legs due to the way his hooves had overgrown and pulled on his tendons and joints. I was able to get his heels down, pulled his toe back in a way that will help the damage the founder created, as well as get all the dead sole removed and trim the frog back to a healthy place. I could not be happier with how much I was able to take off in this one setting without ever having to go down to sensitive tissue. He got lots of good scratching, the person that was holding him for me also brushed him out to help his winter fur shed out. I gave out copious amounts of treats (Sugarless in his case due to the history of founder) This little poney had a lot of heart, and was as kind to me as he could even though he was aching. I have purposely left out the pony's name, and a full picture of him as to not identify him or his owners. (Which is a shame, because he is stinking cute!) I have been given some outside updates on him, but I have not been able to get back in to trim him again. It breaks my heart every time, but in the end I am just thankful I could give this little dude some comfort. |
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