Mary is a 26 y/o Standardbred mare who came to Ferrell Hollow Farm almost 3 years ago, with pal Francis. She is a very large gal, built much more like a Warmblood/Draft cross! She has an illegible lip tatoo, so I have not been able to trace her in the STB registry. She most likely had an early career on the trotter track, then transitioned to a life as a carriage horse. Mary worked the streets of NYC, but it is unknown for how many years. She was retired to Pets Alive before she turned 20.
Mary does have some arthritis which has become more prevalent over the past two years, however the most noteable condition that I have had to treat her for his hoof canker. It has been a long battle of using many topical products touted for "curing" canker, and boosting her immune system with no success. My feeling is that hoof canker can not be cured, at best it can be reduced or kept under control. Mary's is deep seated and all 4 feet have been affected. In fact, last Fall when she became very lame, having had no success with any treatments, I felt an end of life decision was going to be needed to be made. Then I was told about a little known canker formulation created by an equine sanctuary in NY, and arrangements were made to get it to me. I was leery at best. However to our utter amazement, the canker began to dry up on 3 of the 4 feet! The drought spring & summer conditions were very helpful, as canker thrives in a moist environment. With the help of our trimmer, once a month we can trim away more tissue to expose yet another deeper layer of the canker so it can be treated. As of now, we are just battling canker in her right front foot.
Currently Mary is sound and happy, which is our goal for her--she is the picture of health otherwise! She maintains on a sparse grass area, eats lots of hay, demands daily grooming sessions and tail scratching and requires a daily joint supplement. Of course the canker treatment will always need to be on the supply shelf!
Recent Comments