In addition to picking, cleaning, spraying, soaking as needed the horses feet several times a week, once a week I dedicate to actually doing touch up trims. Proper hoof care is very important, but can be challenging with our senior residents.
Francis (age 28) is the most difficult--in addition to being a large, heavy horse, he has chronic issues with both hind feet, one of which can not even be picked up. Getting his front feet up goes something like this: cluck, pinch, ask, lean, sweet talk from me--resistance, leaning into me, ain't gonna do it momma from him! I usually trick, er-convince him to pick them up but each time not without him jerking hard trying to slam it down. I win that battle though as I hold on and tell him "not until I am done", making quick work of a hard situation! ;) Eagle (age 26) is also challenging due to his arthritic knees, oftentimes I can not even get up one of the front feet, and he also has issues behind. But he has been taught to tilt the foot so it can be cleaned, inspected and worked on. Mary (age 26) has arthritic knees and hip issues, making her challenging as well to get feet up. She has chronic thrush/yeast in her central sulcus which I have treated with no less than a dozen things for over a year with no signs of clearing it up. Although Tess and Dawn are getting more arthritic (both ages 28), they are still able to lift all four feet when asked :) A very good day is when I am able to get more hooves cleaned than expected!!
Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. For more information, visit her website at www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or email her at cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com.
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