Goofy's 2 week update

Its a bit early for Goofy's update but since Ernie had his yesterday its only fair for Lindsay to get a set of Goofy photos as well. He has a central sulcus split on his LF which, like Ernie's, will take time to resolve. 

Because he has had surgery and was on box rest before he arrived here we have been only slowly increasing the amount of his movement and exercise. He is now turned out daily on the tracks and is walking out in hand and as this hasn't caused him any setbacks so far, we cam start to build that up.

Its too early really to see significant changes in his hooves, especially as his mileage has been limited, but there are signs that he is using his palmar hoof more as the digital cushion and frog are better in the lower, most recent photos. 

Again, not dramatic changes but a shortening toe and better palmar hoof profile. 

A harder-working frog and more supportive heel is of course what we want to see.

Although the changes are modest they are heading in the right direction, as Goofy's footage shows. 

Goofy from Nic Barker on Vimeo.

Apologies, by the way, for the footage not being shot in the same place but it was so dark in the barn that even with the lights on and halogen spots it was too dark for the camera couldn't record in slow motion inside...

Ernie's 4 week update

This is Ernie's slightly overdue 4 week update - in fact he came here at the beginning of October so its a little more than that but lets just go for it. 

These lateral shots are interesting because the line on his hoof wall gives you a good idea of the angle of growth. In the top inch or so of growth the line is at a much straighter angle than it is at ground level. This top inch is the angle of the new hoof capsule; project the growth at that angle all the way down and you should be able to see he will have a straighter, more supportive hoof in a few months' time. 

A much better frog and heel than he had a few weeks ago - encouraging progress. 

Confirmation of the better frog and digital cushion from this angle too. 

Again, contrasting the hairline in both shots gives a good idea of the angle the new hoof will grow at and the top section of new growth is again at a steeper, straighter angle. 

His central sulcus split hasn't completely healed but its a lot better than it was and is heading the right way. A better landing has helped to give more stimulus and promote healing. 

And finally the proof of the pudding - Ernie's comparison video. Not quite complete as a rogue memory card seems to have swallowed his original footage but you get the picture. 

Ernie from Nic Barker on Vimeo.

New boy Bruno

New boy Bruno arrived yesterday and with the wonders of the new computer I've managed to get his photos and video up already - perhaps I am finally getting to grips with it(!)...

Bruno has been lame for a while and though he improved to around 1/10 lame on a circle in the school he was still short-striding, though level in front, when he arrived. 

He has a reasonable palmar hoof judging from appearance but he is landing toe first so this isn't a frog or digital cushion which is used to consistent work. Its hard to tell from initial photos but I would expect there to be changes by the time we have new photos in a few weeks.

This is his sounder foot and it has better media-lateral balance than his RF - if you check out the footage below you can see the difference in landing - but it is under-run and I suspect wants to have a shorter toe.

Again, looking at the palmar hoof there is lots to like and lots to build on. The fact that he is landing more evenly on this foot is another helpful sign.

Bruno from Nic Barker on Vimeo.

Belated Bogie

 I started to post Bogie's updated photos a couple of weeks ago but my old computer died before I could do more than get a couple of them uploaded.

Here is the second attempt, this time looking at his left front foot. Bogie had come out of shoes a few months before arriving here so his frog and heels already looked pretty good but he had long hoof wall at the toe and quarters and rather flat, weak soles. 

The long hoof wall is wearing away and he has straighter bars now. His heels have de-contracted a little more and his soles are looking tougher as well.

The shorter hoof wall is clear in these photos - there isn't a dramatic change in his digital cushion but his frog has beefed up. 

Again, nothing dramatic but a shorter toe which is good to see. I expect his palmar hoof to develop further over the next few weeks as well.                         

New boy - another Alfie

New boy Alfie arrived yesterday and is the next in my list of photo catch-ups. He is an ISH who hails from Berkshire, not far from where we held our rehabs' reunion a couple of months ago. 

He has been shod most of his working life, like the majority of horse in the UK, but came out of shoes about 3 weeks ago, prior to coming to us.

According to his owner his feet are already changing fast, which I can well believe. 

  It will be fascinating to see how they look in a fortnight or so. I would expect big changes in the angle of the hoof capsule and in the development of frog and digital cushion.

 More to come on Alfie soon, of course.

Meanwhile, its naturally no surprise that with a weak palmar hoof like this he is landing toe first in front but lets hope that's all about to change over the next few weeks. 

AlfieD from Nic Barker on Vimeo.

Eager's update

I'm still getting to grips with the new computer but so far so good - its significantly faster and cleaner than the old one (it had better be at that price!) and its coping easily with the big photo and video files that I am throwing at it.

I have some 4K footage to play with and testing out how it deals with that may be the moment of truth - I'll let you know how we get on!

Meanwhile I have new footage and photos of Eager, who has now been here 3 weeks. As ever, her original photos are the upper ones and today's are the lower.

She already had good feet so there aren't necessarily the dramatic changes which we see in feet which have had years of shoes.

Nevertheless her frog is better with a shorter toe and her sole and palmar hoof are more robust.  It will be interesting to assess how her media-lateral balance continues to change. 

Subtle changes compared to many horses - and lets be honest many of us would be really happy with the palmar hoof which Eager already had but its interesting to see that it can become stronger yet.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the landing and how her foot functions for her and you can check out the footage below for that. 

The changes are confirmed from this view - shorter toe, better palmar hoof and good growth coming down.

Eager from Nic Barker on Vimeo.

Comparing her right foot the changes are similar - also better m/l balance though, so this will be one to watch.

Again, not a bad hoof to start with but harder working today. In particular, look at how the hoof capsule is now broader at the ground bearing surface than it was (the walls now form a V rather than an A!). 

And finally for completeness her lateral shots. 

More on Eager soon!