[JBandRio]

Ok, here's the LF solar from Dec



and here is it just now



I'm seeing no improvement at best, a regression at worst, based on the condition of the frog at the very least, even taking into account the differences in quality and angle of the pictures.


At the very least, these frogs should have started looking better in the 6 months that she's been working on them. JMHO

[IIIBarsV]

I'm going to disagree with JB (for once)- I think the frog comparison looks a little better, but the frogs are so contracted that it will take longer than six months to get them looking noticeably better. Continue treating them for thrush/etc wherever there is a crevice, and if there are flaps of frog coming off (like ones you can get the hoof pick under), knick them off as best you can or have the trimmer do it. I've been working on a horse who was less contracted than this one and it took from December until about a month ago for his frogs to "open up" finally, and he's had lots of ground contact. The hoof soaking is what really did it for him (and dish soap).

From the new pics, it looks as though there is not enough hoofwall vertically off the sole. I would allow the horse to grow about 1/4-1/2 inch of hoof, however long that takes (depends on him).

Hmm, I'm going to recall my original plan of lowering the outside wall after seeing these new pictures of the front heels... I almost want to lower the inside vertically but not touch the hoofwall (ie, as if it had a flare), and work on the flare on the outside of the hooves. The new heel pic really makes him look like he's got sheared heels (inside higher), which could explain why the trimmer was able to "move" the cartilages with her thumbs if it's in an advanced state. If this is the case, then you'd want to treat it the way I just described, rather than the way I described in my first posts.

In the end, it's still about balancing out the pressure.

[Moostang]

After 6 months I would hope to see more improvement than that. Is it possible to get a picture at the same angle of the original one in Dec? I would love to do an overlay to see the difference. Just looking at the pic its hard to tell but it does look like they moved the seat of the corn back.. but the toe looks more stretched. The frog also looks more contracted in the back to me.

[QHgin]

ok i got a new solar shot i dont know if it the exact same angle or not but its the best i could get.
left

right

[Moostang]

Here is a link to the left front, it will transition back and forth so you can see the difference, now that I see a lot of change


http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Leftfront.gif

[Dawn]

Thank you for doing that Moostang, helps a lot.

The frog actually looks much worse now. Even though it was split in the old photo, it was nice and wide and relatively healthy looking (considering). The entire foot seems to have taken on a much more oval shape as well (result of the toe running forward).

[Moostang]

I believe that is because the heels were so far forward before that the frog and bulb were expanding because they had no real support. Now that there is more support it looks like they have contracted, but I do think overall there is improvement in the general shape. Of course I am probably wrong

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Moostang

Here is a link to the left front, it will transition back and forth so you can see the difference, now that I see a lot of change


http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Leftfront.gif

That was awesome! And, it clearly shows what I was saying - the foot, frog especially, looked better 6 months ago.

[buck1173]

nice job moostang!

based on moostang's comparison animation, it does appear the frog was healthier and the foot a better shape back in December as compared to recently... however, do note that the photo of the december foot is on more of an angle - the toe angling away from the lens... that can make the heel look wider (healthier)... while the july photo is more straight on.

based on these photos, I'd agree that no progress or negative progress has been made... (but then again, I'm not the most well informed trimmer!)

I'm also noticing how the horse is standing in some of the more recent photos, a little Charlie Chaplin like... OP, does this horse have any ailments or glaring conformation defects? perhaps there is a fault (for lack of a better word) that is perpetually creating balancing problems?not that there is any such thing as the perfect horse...

3Bars, i was noticing the appearance of shearing.... I also, would love to agree w/ you regarding 6+ months to decontract a heel... I would LOVE to agree with you as its taken me 9+ months with my own horses and I feel as if I've made little progress.... however, a sheared heeled arab I started trimming 3-4 months ago, went from pencil-frog to wide lovely frog in 4 trims.... bittersweet really, as I can't get that kind of success on my own horses

[QHgin]

im not real sure about why he stands like that. he does have a very narrow base and usually stands with both front feet side by side and cant not make sharp turns without tripping. other than that i really dont know why he stands that way. he is also lame in his right hoof around the heel area. that was really cool how you did that moostang! do you mind if i send that to my trimmer?