That's A Nice Foot You Have

Despite all the snow we had, and the longest winter in eight years, we have already become concerned about the lack of spring rain.  We only had one appreciable rain so far, and the top inch or two of soil was dry.  Of course, the rain arrived on the same day that our farrier, Rich Boyle, came to trim the horses' hooves.  With 33 horses, that's a full day outside ... in the cold rain.  Oh, well.  So we took turns trading off the task of holding horses for Rich, who powered through the entire day.  That's Alayne holding blind Laddie in the photo. 

Laddie has a terribly arthritic left front knee -- it's swollen and he limps when he walks.  Our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, gives him regular steroid injections in the knee to reduce the inflammation and make him more comfortable, and we also give him daily anti-inflammatories.  But Laddie is a case where every week we assess his quality of life.  These amazing animals can be so stoic that it is hard sometimes to tell just how much pain they're in and whether it's time to make the ultimate decision.  We only get one chance to get it right, and we sure don't want to make it too soon ... or wait too late. 

A couple of weeks ago we had begun to ask ourselves again whether we had reached that point with Laddie because of how he was acting.  He was walking more stiffly, seemed in more discomfort, and just didn't seem to be himself.  Laddie is not old ... still in his late teens.  He has good weight on him and is otherwise very healthy.  It's just his leg that is the issue. 

Erin wanted to inject his joints again, then give him a week and see how he responded.  Thus when Erin was out here last Thursday doing dentals, we did another assessment on Laddie.  I walked him around so she could see how he functioned, how his gait was, and how much pain he might be in.

She watched him closely for a few minutes and told me, "It's not time. But I think we can help him some more."  Erin wanted us to put a special shoe on his left foot to help compensate for his knee problem,which causes him to bow his lower leg out.  The result is that sometimes he bears too much weight on the outside edge of his hoof.

So Rich is showing off Laddie's new shoe, which provides more lateral support for his leg.  Although Laddie was a bit tentative at first -- he's not used to wearing horseshoes -- it definitely seemed to help him keep that leg straighter ... and the hoof flatter on the ground ... as he walked.

We're taking this one step at a time.  So to speak.

Comments

[Leighsa]

Just read about a vet (equine surgeon) in Wyoming who is helping 3 horses from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah with leg issues. Here is the link to the blog about a particular horse who will be fitted with a prosthetic leg. Maybe he could help with Laddie?

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&fps=1&mode=entry&entry=C7AB1B6F-19B9-B9D5-9DB6B345766F19E2

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

I hope Laddie's new shoe works wonders for his discomfort. We don't want that gorgeous guy to be in pain!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit

[Karen S]

I wonder about a little accupuncture too.....

[Boundforglory]

I hope Laddie's new shoe continues to make an improvement in how he feels; you and Elayne are very wise, in general, and running RDR has certainly helped. Trust your instinct and judgment. You're always right on target!

[Janet in Cambridge]

I have always maintained that a good farrier is worth his/her weight in gold. They don't just put shoes on horses' feet, they know the whole beast. And when they work in concert with a vet, they can work wonders. Laddie, I hope it brings you relief.

But what I've always wanted to know is how farrier's backs are put together. How can you be bent over all day long, lifting legs and still be able to stand up? Thirty-three horses is a lot of bending.

[Andrew, NZ]

Please dear god tell me that when it is 'time' for the horses they are not put to rest in the old fashioned way?

Pardon my ignorance I'm just not a horse person by default.

[maggie]

Laddie is such a handsome boy - and tolerant, too, to let people mess with and take pictures of his feet. Please keep us posted on what impact the horsie orthotics have; I sure hope that Laddie has many good years left in him!

[Craig from Great Falls]

Everybody is smiling in this picture even Laddie. Thumbs up. It's definitely not time....

[Margaret]

As someone who shares Laddie's arthritic knees (but not as many of them, :)... I'm thrilled to hear of this trial shoe adjustment. Little things can indeed mean a LOT. Wishing Laddie comfort and mobility (he's already got a ton of love and care, lucky guy).

[Sue H]

As a girl who wears orthotics in her running shoes, I can appreciate a good, comfy shoe! Yeah for Laddie, I hope the new shoe helps to relieve some of the discomfort and I'll keep my fingers crossed for him he has much more quality life left. What a beautiful horse!