New Barn, Hoof Casts, Shoes, and Fall Grass

New Barn - Shorty has been doing fairly well since the summer. Right after my last post, I was notified that my barn was moving into breeding instead of boarding and we had to find another stable. The stable we chose usually has a wait list and I had wanted to consider boarding there several years ago. They had 2 immediate openings so my friend and I went to look, liked what we saw, and left a deposit. We moved at the beginning of August.

Shorty in his new 6 acre pasture home

I let the barn owner know about his metabolic issues and she told me they could provide accommodations with a muzzle during the growing season and also being able to bring him up to a paddock if needed. I was very encouraged to see how he did.

Shorty took a long time to settle in, but he did settle in and seemed quite happy even though it was quite a change. There were pot bellied pigs kept near his turn-out and he HATES pigs...absolutely loathes them. Here's the breakdown of the good vs. the bad.

The good:

24/7 turn out

NEW and awesome FARRIER!

Large 6 acre pasture with herd

More exercise

Stocking up in front feet disappeared

Outside all the time with stall for bad weather 

Riding allowed in out in pastures and arena

The bad:

11 other horses in pasture

1 round bale

Pigs on property

Ulcers returned

Bites/kicks that prevented me from riding

My requests for muzzle/concerns for him getting beat up seemed like an inconvenience

Some off/on lameness issues

Shorty enjoyed being with his girlfriends

Casting! When the fall grass came up I do believe we had some issues with foot soreness. His hoof wall was still week and cracking off from being in the care of the last farrier so I took the move opportunity to find a new, better, more creative farrier. He did well in boots so she thought he was the perfect candidate for casting.

Hoof casts

The wear in the casts also allowed us to see his breakover pattern, slightly lateral (outside) at the toe

He had 2 cast cycles in 4 week intervals. He did really well and seemed comfortable. There was a tiny bit of "not quite right" moments...it was hard to tell if it was front end or hind end, as I have been aware of some RH weakness per his last chiro vet visit. He also did not seem to be completely even/comfortable while cantering and sometimes resistant to cantering. He was seemingly sound and would buck, run in the pasture just fine.

Shoes After the casts he had nice growth and enough hoof wall for regular shoes. My vet really insists he will do best with the support, and my new farrier has a lot more skill/knowledge and I trusted her to put shoes back on. She was able to make a shoe that had the same breakover as he liked to wear in the casts, and had more breakover in all directions similar to a natural balance shoe concept. 

Fall Grass? So here's the thing...once the shoes were on it was getting into fall. The horses kept the pastures pretty well grazed...I would consider it overgrazed. The good thing is that there was not much volume to eat, but what many people do not know is that the best grass to be grazed is grass that is about 3-6 inches tall...the richest sugars are stored at the bottom 3 inches of the plant. We got a lot of rain that kept the grass shooting up pretty quickly through the fall and Shorty lost his soundness by the end of October. Once I could ride after his bite wounds healed, he would begin our rides seemingly sound and looking good! But it only took 10-15 of light flatwork for him to come up really lame, even at the walk. This would chill out after I untacked, hosed, and put him away. The only evidence of any soreness could be seen if turned in a really tight circle, or if he was asked to turn up a slope.

Typical...

Move again?? Shorty received another bad bite almost right over a previous injury. I knew I had to find him somewhere else. Getting beat up so much and him living out on uncontrolled pasture and round bale hay just wasn't working. I did let the barn owner know of my concerns as they came up, but they kept saying that he looked fine and he just needed to learn to get along. It seemed like an inconvenience to ask for anything special. I contacted a friend who was at a barn we were at 4 years ago. It is mostly self-care but there's a good group that helps each other out so that I could manage it.

I am happy to report after our most recent move and only 2 weeks in, Shorty is 110% sound! That is more sound than I have ever been confident enough to report since having this blog and I am very happy with how he has been working.

Good changes

Individual paddock/limited grazing with other horses around

Settled in very quickly
Get to keep same farrier

Outside all the time with stall available for use

Slow fed hay most of the day/night

Wounds healing

Indoor, outdoor, and pasture riding

I really liked the last barn we were at and the people were very nice and welcoming. This was a good move though because this morning was like Christmas when I got to ride another day in a row without any evidence of lameness!! He's been moving like a million bucks, forward, happy, and relaxed. I am very grateful for the ladies who help take such good care of him, and for inviting me into the group!

I am very thankful to have this time to enjoy with my boy this Thanksgiving!