Azure's Last Chance

from HealthyHoof.com

Azure is an 18 year old Akhal Teke gelding. He was a breeding stallion for 12 years. He is his owners dream horse, a beloved friend.

Azure is an Akhal Teke, an ancient breed from Turkmenistan, and made popular in Russia. http://www.imh.org/imh/bw/akhal.html,

Akhal Teke's have a "hooded" (or reptilian) eye and don't grow a forelock, so his owner rushed to ensure me that he was very friendly, just uncomfortable. So uncomfortable that his owner, who called him the horse of her life, had already dug his grave and decided to put him down.

This was Azure's last chance.

I was trimming Azure in front of a small group of folks, a trim clinic, so I looked for lessons to share, and my heart sank as I watched Azure approach from the end of the barn.

As he was led from his stall and down the aisle of the barn, my eyes watched his feet as each one hesitated and made small circles before he finally decided where it would hurt the least. I wanted to cry... and I prayed, not being the praying type, for at least one good foot. "One good foot, God, and maybe I can fix the others..."

God wasn't going to make this easy on either of us, because Azure walked the full length of the barn, and couldn't take one step that was comfortable. He had a skeptics attitude, one I've seen on other horses that lived with considerable foot pain for long periods of time.

"Talk, talk , talk. You all bounce in here believing you can help, and when you leave, I have to live with the consequences." his dour expression seemed to say.

Stroking his neck, I promised to try hard not to make it worse. His bright angry eye was full of life, he wanted to live, he was just very angry that he had to live in pain.

His shoes had come off the month before in an attempt to make him comfortable and because shoes didn't seem to help him. He was wearing EasyBoots on his front feet and was bare behind. His neck was cresty and he was heavy, particularly for an Akhal Teke, but I wasn't going to tackle diet until I figured his feet out.

As Valerie recited Azure's recent history, my heart went out to her. She was supported by her close friend, Judy, who is a strong Barefoot advocate, and by her farrier, Steve. Between them, they had tried everything they could think of, but Azure's discomfort had increased, and they now placed his feed next to his water, because he had essentially stopped moving.

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Azure's History

Azure was rounded up as a 2 year old in the Colorado Mountains. His feet were trimmed for the first time, he was auctioned off and sent to California.

Transport took 3 days, and he arrived in California with severe laminitis; he recovered fully in a few months. Then at 5 years of age, his soles were trimmed so thin that he was unable to stand up by the next morning, even though he was shod. His feet never recovered, and he has had special shoeing ever since; Wedges, Pads, Egg Bars, Aluminum and steel, glue striders , you name it, his owner tried it.

Poor Azure would be sound one day and dead lame the next, hit and miss for years.

His feet continued to be so sore that even when he was being shod on rubber mats, he was in pain when there was no shoe on his foot. One of the ongoing challenges was long toe / low heel syndrome.

Valerie relates her final decision "Economics of owning three horses finally forced me to try pulling his shoes to see if he could survive as a pasture ornament. After a few months of watching him get worse/lamer I had decided to put him down. My friend Judy was experimenting with different horse boots and asked if she could try the barefoot trimming techniques and see if with boots and proper trimming Azure could be made more comfortable. "

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Assessment

As I examined Azure's feet, I looked for an easy answer to his pain. His toe was long and his heel under-run; pulling his toe back was to be done in several steps because his lateral cartridges and digital cushions looked under developed and I didn't want to increase his discomfort. His heels, while weak, were at least there to walk on, even though he didn't want to use them. He had traces of thrush that would be easy to clear up with a Lysol solution. He had some concavity, but not much.

Azure stood quietly while I examined his feet, even though the feet he was standing on on were painful.

I told the group that I was going to have to work fast because holding any one foot up for an extended period of time put a great deal of stress on the others. I was to discover that Azure's legs would come close to buckling if I didn't pay close attention... he wouldn't pull his leg back. He has some of the best manners I've ever encountered in a horse.

I gave him lots of breaks, watching and listening for his commentary on the changes I made in his feet. A horse will go out of its way to communicate with us if he knows we're listening, and even tries it when we're unresponsive. A horse that jerks its foot rhythmically when we're cleaning it often has something painful going on like Thrush or heel pain. A horse that smacks its lips, sighs and tries to groom us as we trim is letting us know that we're heading in the right direction.

When a horse feels I've done enough - or is afraid I'll do too much - it will try to take its foot away with authority.

All we have to do is listen actively and they'll try to communicate.

Thrush was one of Azure's problems, but it was a very mild case so I suggested my old stand-by, a Lysol dilution applied topically each day after his feet had been cleaned. I believe the secret to getting rid of a bad case of thrush is cleaning feet daily OR providing something like deep pea gravel that assists with cleaning.

Because Azure would need to wear boots 24x7 until his feet developed, I also suggested using Gold Bond medicated foot powder in the boots to control odor, moisture and bacteria. It worked great for him!

Azure didn't have a lot of hoof wall to work with, so my trim consisted of pulling his toe back about 1/2 inch to within 1/16th inch of the toe callous, leveling his under-run heels slightly and giving him a good bevel and a very conservative "frog trim" to remove a few folds that hid the very superficial thrush.

He had some fungus in the white line of one heel, too, which some people confuse with White Line Disease, but this was a superficial problem related to flare, and the Lysol cleared it up immediately.

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October 5, 2006 - The Trim

When I was working on his front feet, Azure was stoic and skeptical, keeping his ears back and his nose wrinkled. He was a gentleman, but he didn't bury his disdain for us very deep. He was very sure he'd end up being sore, but was willing to cooperate. When I'd ask how his foot felt when I let him try his first front foot, he'd give me a polite assent, lick once or twice, but wouldn't commit to it being a major improvement.

When I was almost done with the second front foot, I let him rest it a moment, then felt a sudden surge of relaxation, like tension draining rapidly from him, and he began to really lick and chew, and finally dropped his head down to touch my shoulder, encouraging me and letting me know he was pleased with what I'd done.

After the trim was done, we let him stand for a while and think about his feet. If a horse points a toe it usually means there is something going on with it; maybe it was taken too short, or has some imbalance. When a horse holds a foot to the inside or outside of its normal location, when a horse raises and lowers a foot, its usually an indication that something is not right. The better you listen, the more the horse will try to explain to you. My own horses are VERY literal, using their noses to point and making a big deal of making their feelings known. I listen, they communicate.

The pictures of Azure, below, speak volumes. The picture on the left was taken before we started trimming, and the last three were taken immediately after I finished.

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The trim was a minor, but important, part of Azure's day. The most important work was to come. We walked him out to see how he moved, and while he walked better than before the trim and had a much longer stride, he was still careful. He was tracking straight, though, and using his heels albeit carefully.

I cut a frog wedge pad from a garden kneeling foam pad (taped to the EasyCare Comfort Pad in the Old Mac boot,below left) for each foot and taped them over his frogs temporarily, to see if he liked the added pressure or if it was uncomfortable.

Azure stood square with his ears perked forward, very interested in this process, so we took the frog pads off his feet and taped them in his boots. Valerie had spent a fortune on Azure's feet to this point, and we couldn't be certain that this would work for him, even though it was looking good.... he could still end up on the wrong side of the garden, pushing up daisies, so we conserved money where we could and used existing boots with new EasyCare Comfort Pads.

We used Old Mac G2's on the fronts, and because he had a slight rub from wearing the regular EasyBoots, we put a strip of duct tape over that area to protect it. If a horse has a lot of rubbing or an abrasion, I suggest cleaning the area with a medicated cleanser and drying it thoroughly, then applying a light coat of Gold Bond Medicated powder and dusting it off, then applying a strip of duct tape, which should adhere to the hair but not much of the skin.

Valerie had a pair of Simple Boots that rubbed the front feet but would work on the rear feet, so we added pads and he was ready to walk out.

He walked with a long, relaxed stride, tail swinging easily, ears forward and head in a lowered, relaxed position. Sighing several times, Azure returned to his stall. Comfortable!

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Post Script....

The clinic attendees and I all grinned and celebrated the fact that the booting and trim had helped Azure out, because Valerie had seen him suffer too much to continue if there wasn't a glimmer of hope. I get choked up at times like this, so I was really grateful when Laura, our very efficient and gracious clinic host, got us moving to trim Judy's horse (she trims him herself and does a wonderful job!) then head for the cars and our next clinic location, Heidi's house.

Valerie and Judy stayed behind to close up the barn before joining us. About an hour later, they showed up at the clinic, and Judy, laughing, had a story to tell.

Azure used to love to sneak out of the barn and graze in front, but because he's been so sore lately, they'd gotten in the habit of leaving his stall door open while they did chores and fed, and would close him up when they were done. With his poor sore feet, he wouldn't move to the door, much less leave his stall.

So after we left, they returned him to his stall and were in the tack room when they heard hoof steps coming down the isle. Poking their heads out the door, they caught Azure doing a prancy-tip-toe, trying to sneak by the door and out of the barn for a bit of browse. Welcoming the return of Valerie's Big Bad Boy, they laughed, waved their arms and scolded him with a 'SO where do you think you're going?!!!' . Azure spread his front legs and dropped his forequarters like a cow horse, flipped his head so that his mane sang through the air, spun on his heels and trotted back into his stall. There will be a next time!

I got updates as the weeks passed, and posted them on his November page. Azure is going to make it, at least for now! He's doing just fine with Comfort pads, frog pads, boots & a good trim.

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November 13, 2006 - Second Trim

I love knowing how my client horses do after trims, particularly when the horses are as desperate for help as Azure was.

I also love knowing that I've helped owners & clinic attendees understand more about barefoot trimming and soundness. I'd received dozens of emails from the Cool California gang in the past weeks, including these:

October 6th -" Spending time with you was a life changing experience! I learned so much, and so quickly from you. You are an amazing lady. Today , I took Azure for a walk. He was so forward and eager and sound, I got on and rode him a little bit. What I felt was maybe an irregularity in his gait (from the ringbone?) The hoofs were good! Valerie says he is ok from the walking, and we will begin to hand walk or pony him now!!! I'm really excited about it and so is she. Thank you for your expertise and for caring . Luke is great, have not ridden him, but looking forward to trying out the new ideas. Will pad him behind.... I will love to do your clinic next time. Either format will work for me. Count me in, Judy"

October 8th - " Hi Linda, Good to hear from you. Yesterday was another great day for Azure! Valerie led him on a - maybe - one mile walk. She said he did so well and was a very happy horse. Take care, Love, Judy"

October 8th - "Hi there! Just an update on my boy, Azure. He appears to be much more comfortable, especially with the boots on. You know that Judy took him out the other day. I took him for a walk yesterday (1/2 hour) and he was thrilled to go. I left him barefoot last night and he wasn't as lame as before. I rebooted him today- the powder (Gold Bond) works great. I ponied him today for about 45 minutes (easy terrain) and he was moving wonderfully. If it wasn't for Judy- he might have been put to sleep. If he stays this sound it looks as though he has a future. I am thrilled. Thanks Valerie"

November 25th -"Now, after 2 trims and using Old Macs, he seem to be fully sound in the boots and can go barefoot for a few hours a day. He has been ponied and shows no signs of lameness with the boots on. So far things are looking up! Will have to see how the wet weather affects his feet and boots. I have to thank you for efforts that have let this wonderful, kind horse continue being part of the herd--without being in pain. -- Valerie "

Second Trim - Cool Trim Clinic

I always look at the horses demeanor to see how they are feeling, what their mood is, and Azure was TOTALLY into being the center of attention this time! He walked out comfortably and confidently, his eyes were bright and very happy, and he was delighted to have even more folks come visit him. Someone brought snacks - some chip type of thing - and Azure was very happy to be munching cannapes in the isle.

It was about 5 weeks since his first trim, and he had come a L*O*N*G way! He was being ponied regularly, moved around easily in boots, and was, once again, a very happy horse.

We had a few new folks at this clinic. One of them was Azure's farrier, Dave, who was hesitant to come for several reasons. First because he had read Jaime Jackson's books, and Jaime has made a comment about Farrier's causing a lot of the unsoundness in today's horses; Steve didn't want to have to defend doing the best he knows how to do.

I told Valerie that I didn't blame him, that Mr. Jackson sometimes says things that irritate me too, and that I recognize that Steve exhausted his resources trying to help Azure. He was in great company!!! UC Davis and several highly regarded vets had tried their best too, but Azure needed a type of help they weren't totally familiar with yet. I asked Valerie to encourage Steve to come. I wouldn't put him in a bad spot.

I sincerely enjoy having farrier's attend these clinics, I have a few skills they can pick up if they're interested enough. And I still have as many questions as I have answers, and these hoof care professional may have the answers I need. I welcome anyone who understands that we all still have a lot to learn.

A local AANHCP trimmer, Tracy Browne, www.hoofhelp.com , had joined us as well. I asked Tracy if she would be available to help folks out in an emergency, because I live 4 hours away, and she complied. I'd love to have Steve try his hand at this style of trimming and rehab, too, because the demand is more that just a few of us can handle.

One of the first things Tracy asked about was Azure's diet; he was cresty and a bit over weight with several symptoms of insulin sensitivity, so she recommended a grass hay diet with low carb supplements and molasses free (or rinsed) beet pulp.

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Azure's Feet

The first thing I noticed was that Azure's heel seemed much stronger, and made a mental note to check his pictures from October 5th.

When I checked them, my memory served me well. His heels were much stronger, and the new wall directly below the coronet band was growing at a very good angle, relatively speaking of course. His heel bulbs were rubbed from wearing boots all the time, so I repeated the advice about duct tape for protection.

Valerie was trying to give his feet a break from the boots and was leaving them off for a day every few days, and he was getting sore without the boots. Tracy suggested leaving them off an hour or two a day while Valerie did barn chores.

His trim this time was very basic, re balancing his walls and giving him a nice bevel all around. His heels had stayed nicely balanced and showed that they were being used, and his toe didn't need to be pulled back too much. He also had better concavity (the Comfort Pads help that develop!) and his frog quality had improved.

Linda Cowles Hoof Care
Serving the greater Bay Area & Northern California
Mobile 707-548-9960 Home 707-869-8270

Above: Linda Cowles; below: Linda Cowles and Kerry Ridgway