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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > I am at a loss of what to do |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > I am at a loss of what to do |
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| I am at a loss of what to do | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:04 pm |
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1st Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member 
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I have an 18 yr old Twh gelding I have owned since birth. This last year he has had several unusual problems that I am at a loss with. We moved to AZ about 5 years ago and found a farrier that is the best in our area but I'm afraid he does not have alot of Gaited experience. I have not been able to do alot of riding in the last few years but try to get him out in either the round pen or ride in an arena for 30 or so minutes several times a week. Only working at a flat walk or running walk. He tries to go into a pace all the time but I bring him back to a walk and try again. This last year he has had splints pop up on the insides of his back legs, firm swelling without heat along the Superficial flexor tendon just below his knee on the left front. And stifles that seem to be getting weaker and weaker. He has had semi-weak stifles all his life and windpuffs on his rear legs but this last year he just seems to have turned into an old man. Doesn't want to run around and seems overall sore. We took his shoes off several months ago but it doesn't seem to have helped. Yesterday after he had a trim I rode him that evening up and down a little sandy wash that had an incline and he seemed kind of sore on his front feet and it almost felt like his left shoulder was quivering slightly. His overstride has shortened quite a bit as well. From a foot or more to now only a few inches. I am debating on whether or not I should put shoes back on the front or not. I also have him on senior feed, rice bran and additional glucosamine supplements. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We are out in the middle of nowhere AZ and do not have access to a good equine vet so the internet is my only hope of info. This is the only recent pic I have of him but I can take more if need be http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DRrVZ81k8ayKuneXGnjzMg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWuiviv7cawUg&feat=directlink
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:13 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Dixie G.O.G Community Member 
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I probably can't help you with your problems, but wanted to compliment you on your horse. He's beautiful. I hope you find good answers here, and have good luck getting him fixed up. Dixie
____________________ Out! Out! you Demons of Stupidity!! |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:19 pm |
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3rd Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you so much Dixie! He is my baby I got him when I was 16 yrs old and is most definitely my 1st love!My 11 yr old daughter just got her 1st TWH last month and is so in love! Her name is Adrenaline's Masterpiece and just turned a year old last month. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xtRM_MyIU9gdZNJGWd9ejQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWuiviv7cawUg&feat=directlink Last edited on Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:26 pm by McAfeeFam |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:50 pm |
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4th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand 
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I can't help you either. My daughter used to have a QH that she barrel raced and during the week long stay at the fair in a stall she would stock up. My ex race horse used to get windpuffs also after workouts and put back in a stall. Of course we kept absorbine and leg wraps on him. But maybe since your horse is older and you only ride him a little he could just be out of shape. I wouldn't think the shoes or no shoes would cause this problem. He is quite a looker!
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 09:50 pm |
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5th Post |
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Dixie G.O.G Community Member
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I understand that. I have a 3 YO TWH, Cajun, who I birthed (I own his mama). He's getting ready for his first rides under saddle in June when he's 3. We won't ride him much until he's 4, but he's already quite used to saddle. Young ones are a challenge; good luck with yours. Attachment: Horse vacation 6-09 417.jpg (Downloaded 192 times)
____________________ Out! Out! you Demons of Stupidity!! |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 9th, 2010 11:56 pm |
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6th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member 
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Hi McAfeeFam: While the picture of your lovely aged TWH is quite an eye-full, it does absolutely nothing to show where his feet are. You need pictures of the front, each side and underneath. With his shortened stride it could be that he was trimmed so that his break-over is much shorter, thus potentially causing a 'choppy' ride. If you're that far out in the boonies, you may have to trailer him to a more reputable farrier, and there's no reason why you can't get a fresh set of radio-graphs to get a accurate picture of where his P3 is in relation to his wall. Lots could be going on here, and without the help of professionals and x-rays, you may not be able to incorporate the best protocol. T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 02:46 am |
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7th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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Have you had him x-rayed? It could be anything from arthritis, ringbone, navicular, cacification of the ligament, or other structural problems.. Sounds like he's tender in his hoofs, especially since he's short-striding. It hurts to put his foot down. Only an x-ray will give you a diagnosis.
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 03:19 am |
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8th Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member
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No, I have not had xrays done yet. Here are some more pictures I took tonight. They are not the best. We have had alot of rain for AZ and he was quite muddy. http://picasaweb.google.com/McAfeeFam/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWuiviv7cawUg&feat=directlink
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 06:17 am |
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9th Post |
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4Square G.O.G Community Member 
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I'm not trying to scare you, but your photos and symptom description do make me think of DSLD/ESPA. I see mismatched angle from the hoof wall to pastern in all feet [hoof wall steeper than pastern angle] and the angles even appear to be different for each foot, but hard to say for certain in photos. I've attached a link with information. http://www.angelfire.com/bc/curlygait/diagnose.html [4]
____________________ GOG Certified Trainer http://www.foursquarehorse.com Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Co 13: 6 -7 |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 01:24 pm |
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10th Post |
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MTRA872 G.O.G Community Member
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I think the problem goes beyond just his feet. He needs a complete diagnostic work up, even if it means hauling him several hours to a really good eqine hospital. At 18, he has the potential for a lot of good years left in him. I hope you are able to find some one that can look at him for you and figure out what's going on.
____________________ "And on the Seventh Day...we went trail riding!" |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 04:19 pm |
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11th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member 
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He looks like his feet are to short also, but yeah definately the angles are completely off. Might consider talking to someone at one of the Gaited Horse Registries like National Walking Horse Association that promote Natural Shod/Trimmed Horses they might have some suggestions of Farriers in the area.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 04:40 pm |
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12th Post |
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4Square G.O.G Community Member
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I believe I need to clarify why I pointed out the angle differences. I see dropping in the pasterns which changes the alignment from the hoof wall. This combined with what is going on with the puffiness and swelling around the fetlock and suspensory areas is a symptom associated with DSLD/ESPA. Simply addressing it as a trimming issue, I don't believe is going to help this horse. If you read the link I posted you will see the correlation of symptoms described by McAfeeFarm's gelding as very similar to what goes on with a horse afflicted with DSLD/ESPA. [4]
____________________ GOG Certified Trainer http://www.foursquarehorse.com Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Co 13: 6 -7 |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 07:16 pm |
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13th Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you for pointing out the DSLD/ESPA possibility. I had ran across that a few days ago but didn't think too much about it. Or I was just in denial because I was too afraid it would be true. After reading the symptoms from the link you posted he had 2 more symptoms I thought was completely unrelated. Sheath swelling and hives from fly spray. In the past I had only fed him straight alfalfa and no grain but this last year I started him on senior feed and it is possible the added Molasses is what made him symptoms worsen. I was so distraught after reading about this I am not ready to say good bye to him yet.  I have already submitted the info for the Treatment study with Dr Kellon this morning and am ordering the supplements today. Hopefully we will have some luck and he will have many more years left. Thank you for your help!
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 07:47 pm |
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14th Post |
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4Square G.O.G Community Member
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You're welcome. I hope you are able to find something that works for your horse. The new diet and treatment does seem to be working for some horses. You might want to join the Yahoo group also linked on the page I posted. I went ahead and joined. I don't have a horse with DSLD/ESPA but I always want to learn. They have tons of pictures in the archives of that group as well. [4]
____________________ GOG Certified Trainer http://www.foursquarehorse.com Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Co 13: 6 -7 |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 08:03 pm |
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15th Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member
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I just joined that group as well as placing the order for the supplements. I'm afraid I am having quite a breakdown right now
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 08:14 pm |
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16th Post |
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4Square G.O.G Community Member
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I'm sorry for the heartbreak of such a possible disease, but at least the recent research diet is offering some hope where there was not much before. Hang in there and please keep us posted. [4]
____________________ GOG Certified Trainer http://www.foursquarehorse.com Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Co 13: 6 -7 |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 08:51 pm |
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17th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member
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Also might try looking into a book called "Complete Holistic Care and Healing For Horses". There are quite often a lot of options that aren't so readily explored in tradtional/western medicine available that are sucessfull beyond the reaches of western/traditional methods. Plus the book is wrote by an Veternarian.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 10:21 pm |
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18th Post |
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mygirl1197 G.O.G Community Member 
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I am so sorry to hear about the health problems with your boy. I will keep him in my prayers! Your daughter's filly is adorable. Did you get her by chance from Sunshine Walkers in Tucson?
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10th, 2010 11:37 pm |
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19th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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McAfeeFam: You STILL have not had a accurate diagnosis. Don't got off the deep end and spend your money on various supplements without a diagnosis from a veterinarian and farrier. You may be wasting money that would be put to better use on actually pinpointing precisely what it is you may be dealing with. I'm a bit perplexed as to why you are not pursuing the professional advice of those who can properly diagnose your horse and give you a much more accurate treatment protocol? If you PM me exactly where you are, I may be able to point you to the proper folks who can guide you in the right direction. Edited to add that the photos of your horse are not accurate enough. Where are the pictures of the soles? You need to put your camera on the ground and get close-up photos of each side of each hoof, the front, the back AND the soles. And once again, radio graphs are priceless. Regards, T. Last edited on Wed Mar 10th, 2010 11:41 pm by fireandice ____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11th, 2010 02:41 am |
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20th Post |
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McAfeeFam G.O.G Community Member
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FYI.... I do have a call into the vet for an appt Thanks for your concern
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