First Trim

Second Trim 4 weeks after initial trim.

4th trim - 04/08/04

6th trim - 06/03/04
We're ALMOST THERE!

Just for interest -- this is the right front hoof (the others above were left front shots) which was not as rotated as the left front. This particular shot is before her trim 06/03/04 ... Pretty nice looking hoof considering she was dead lame and foundered just 6 short months ago!

UPDATE 8/20/04 -- K mentioned that she had been RIDING Val every other day and that she had a lope to "die for" ... well, I got to see it today after trimming her hooves and K was RIGHT ... Val has an AMAZING lope and more amazing is the fact that this mare, who was chronically foundered/lamanitic for 7 of her 11 years is now 99 1/2% NORMAL and HEALED in just 8 short months of barefoot trimming!  Rocky New England trails are not bothering her barefoot hooves nor does gravel or road travel. I'm psyched! Xrays taken a couple of days ago show GROUND PARALLEL coffin bones and the vet is more than pleased!  So am I. Val is a very special horse and she deserves to live the rest of her life in health, vigor and stamina. K is hoping to show Val in October for the first time in years.

Photos coming from today's trim AND from Val's rides soon so watch for them.

WOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!

:)  --Gwen

A FOUNDERED HORSE

A note received recently from owner of V:

Gwen....
OMG all I have to say is WHAT A DIFFERENCE 2 TRIMS CAN MAKE!!!!
Val looks amazing :c)
All week she has been walking around, off bute and white willow (which she wont touch now! Shes decided that she would rather not eat if anything is in her grain besides beet pulp, omegatin, MSM, BOSS and oil). I had her on the bute the night you trimmed her, then the next morning she wouldnt eat it so I layed off, didnt want to stress her.
She was gimpy for about 24 hours....now she looks incredible! She jogs to the gate to greet me in the morning, and follows me around the paddock, she doesnt just stand waiting for me to go to her anymore!!! YEAH!!! WOO HOO!!!!
I can still see a little hint of ouchiness which I expected, since I know she isnt healed by any means, but it means so much to be able to see her atually move, and want to do it!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! You dont understand how happy I am.....Im glad that I could make a difference in her life with your help :c)
Hopefully this is a sign that we are winning her battle.....No laminitis since Christmas, she can walk, and her feet look so much better.

Thanks again Gwen!

~Katie and Val-gal

NOTE:  Val had been foundered for quite some time with no changes in Xrays or soundness (lack of) for 8 months. This is what occured after pulling the shoes and trimming with a natural barefoot trim for balance, form and mechanics.

READ VAL'S HISTORY HERE.

Note from 6/03/04 - Val is standing square and galloping around her pasture. She is alert, lively, curious, friendly with an acutely more positive attitude. An amazing change from just 5 short months ago when she was in such pain!

Standing square !!! And perfectly balanced.


Trotting out in comfort.
Nice strides!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE UPDATES ON VAL
Updated Nov. 2004

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