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Run, Leaguer -Run!!!

January 20th 2006

3 months, 16 days after the shoes came off...

My relationship with Leaguer and his owner, Nina Strand, started on October 4th, 2005.

He was one of the first 20 or so severe navicular horses I treated, and while he wasn't the toughest navicular feet I was working with at the time, I wanted to cry when I saw him.

Why? Leaguer was only 9 years old and built to work until he was in his mid 30's... he was in the prime of his life, had an awesome attitude and was a Level II Parelli trained Quarter Horse with a heart of gold and a strong desire to please.

On October 4th, Leaguer was lame in his Natural Balance shoes with at least 5 degrees of wedge and full pads. His walls were less than 1/16 inch thick, and his soles were flat and thin. The site of a fit young horse being that lame is enough to make any horse person cry.

When we turned him loose Friday afternoon, January 20th 2006, I cried for a different reason. I wept with joy for 10 minutes as Leaguer ran and bucked and raced around the arena, looking 100% sound.

 

Is he 100% sound? Not by my standards - but he's 100% sound in boots and is sound enough to be comfortable in the arena barefoot. One more month and he'll be another of my Gravel Crunchers.

Two months ago, when he was still growing hoof wall and sole, Nina confessed that she didn't expect him to get 100% sound barefoot.... she'd be happy if he could take easy rides on the trail in boots.

"All I want is for him to be comfortable." Congratulations, Nina. He's definitely comfortable.

Don't give up on the Leaguers in your life!

Experiences like this are why I trim, and why I spend hours taking these shots and uploading them to share.

 

So Nina and I laughed, wept, hugged and watched, spellbound, as he cavorted as he lapped the arena. The sun was warm, the air was rich with the aroma of growing grass, and life was perfect...

Then Nina turned to me and asked me "Did you really think you'd be able to get him this sound?"

I did believe I could get him comfortable, but I wasn't sure he'd ever be this sound.

Now? I know we'll get him to 100%. He's almost there now, even though his winter-wet feet are soft, he's almost there.

He was walking heel first almost every stride, and his feet were landing level or very close to it at a canter and trot... there were very *very* few tell-tale puffs of dust as his front feet hit the arena.

       

 

     
Where we started - in shoes...
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Where Leaguer's feet are today - and what still needs to happen!


Leaguer is 98% sound barefoot in the arena, and about 85% sound on the gravel drive. He's very sound booted in his Epics.

He was recently moved from a small shelter and paddock to a large pasture with companions, so he'll be getting a lot more exercise in the next few weeks. He may be 100% sound with dramatically improved feet at his next trim...

Sole, Bar & Wall Quality

His feet need to toughen up a bit. I cleaned out all of the shedding sole when I trimmed him, and he was mare cautious on the gravel drive afterwards. His walls are about 50% rehabbed. They are durable, with a tight white line and solid heel buttress.

He has very decent sole concavity, and his bars are finally upright on his front feet... they had been cracked and laying over until this trim.

Heel & Toe

Leaguers heels are still contracted, but they have relaxed dramatically considering the fact that he's lived in a small paddock until this month. His heel buttress is okay, but it need to be stronger.

His toe is still way too long, his angles aren't right, but they are definitely getting better. He still has puny frogs!

Transitions...

His foot has to finish remodeling to achieve these things. I could have rockered his toe, but didn't want to take the chance of making him tender. He'll be moving more ion the new pasture, and his feet will be tougher and ready for a good rocker in 4 weeks.

And Nina is trying to talk me into moving him to my place for Phil to ride on a long term lease...

When his feet are ready for my shale hillside? Its tempting! He's an awesome horse.... and, like Nina, has become a very dear friend.

 

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Linda Cowles Hoof Care
Serving the greater SF Bay Area & Northern California
Copyright 2008 Linda Cowles
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