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Taking the Heels BACK and down. Many people don't understand taking the heels back and down. This horse had
very long heels that were beginning to fold and crush under. In taking her heels back and lower and keeping the height
at the front of the foot she walked off much freer and having better floating movement.
Next 3 pictures of the same horse. Initial SET UP trim
A Little can change a LOT
These pictures show the foot of a 5 yr old QH who has never had shoes
on his feet. He has recieved a pasture trim all his life. While he was still "sound" over most to all terrain...his
comfort level was compromised. Watching this horse move before and after his trim one could see the immediate response
and relaxation in the entire body. He moved with bigger more fluid strides and equally in all gaits. His standing
posture improved dramatically as well.
Happy Feet...finally
This little guy is a rescue pony. Immediately after his set up trim he was turned out with another horse coming
out of shoes who also recieved his initial trim and they both were trying out their new feet. Notice they are running
over gravel...they ran and ran and ran some more. This type of behavior is common with horses that were experiencing
low grade pain. What a relief for them!
On the pics below...his angles have dramatically changed for the better after just one trim. He is still in a state
of recovery as his feet were terribly altered in shape.
Below is the Left Front and the Right Hind before and immediately after the initial 'shape shifting' trim.
This horse was stumbling and reluctant to move forward before but after he was running around his field and bucking with joy.
He is sound on gravel and rock. He is 10 years old.
Notice how the heels are taken back quite a bit on this trim...and notice how the entire foot changed shape!! as
well as looks bigger after being trimmed. The heels were long to start with but too far forward. Mainly
I just backed up the entire profile of the foot and exfoliated the sole and overgrown bar material.
This is not the type of trim you have to do each time...it is a set up trim.
Walking more comfortable now.
The set of pictures below is of a 4 yr old QH. RF feet before and immediately after the initial set up trim.
The set up trim is done first to put the foot in a more correct shape and then the following day a touch up or maintenance
trim is done to 'perfect' the shape. The day wait allows the horse and foot time to adjust to the change.
Notice the way the horse was standing before...on his toes. There is stretched white line and separation present...but
the after pics show a different shape and definate different weighting for the horse. The video before shows the horse
stumbling and landing crooked. After he was walking with bigger strides...no tripping and landing correctly. Much
more comfortable for him.
Hind Feet in Contrast to above Front shape
The hind feet I come across are often looking like fronts or at least trimmed like fronts. The hinds are a definate
different shape...they have a different purpose in locomotion. The 3 pics below are of a RH of an aged gelding.
Before/After initial set up/After follow up the next day. Look at the 1st and the 3rd to notice a lot of change
in one day. Strength and integrity of the foot to follow through continual proper trimming and lifestyle changes in
footing and feed. He was also taking much bigger strides consistently over tracking on the video...swinging his back
and tail.
| Aged gelding Hind foot changing shape |
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Happy Feet = Happy Horse
Below is a series of pictures of a 1 1/2 year old QH gelding. He was a PMU baby so he was born and raised outside
in a large field. He came to his present owner where she continues to have him outside...but he was trimmed conventionally
and his feet migrated way forward.
After this initial trim, he went running and bucking around his field on his 'new' feet. We have many reports
of horses doing this after getting their initial trim done. Happy feet make happy horses!!
| 1.5 YR OLD QH BORN AND RAISED OUTSIDE |
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| SIDE VIEW ON LEFT FRONT |
| SAME FOOT AS ABOVE SOLE VIEW |
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| NOTICE INCREASE IN WEIGHT BEARING SIZE OF HEEL |
| SAME HORSE SHOWS HAIRLINE ANGLE CHANGES |
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| AND HEEL WEIGHT BEARING PUT BACK UNDER THE LEG |
Instant Relief from Chronic back problems and 'attitude' problems
The following pictures are from an off the track Standardbred. His owners say that he has a bit of an 'attitude'.
He did have an extremely sore back and responded to pressure with ears pinned and kicks. It was hard to begin to trim
the hinds as he couldn't lift them without spasm. I gave him a good deep muscle massage before we started and after
the feet were set up...he was a different animal. There was an overall calmness in his face/eyes and he stood quietly
while touched everywhere. The next day he was acting like a completely different horse in that he was calm, relaxed,
attentive, curious and obviously relieved!
| LF SIDE SHOT 3 YR OLD STANDARDBRED OTT |
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| SAME HORSE |
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| EXPERIENCED INSTANT RELIEF FROM CHRONIC BACK SORENESS |
Transition Time
Below a series of pictures of a conventionally trimmed 15.2hh QH cross gelding. History of being "off". Just
had shoes pulled about 3 weeks prior to initial set up trim. His owner is learning to trim and maintain his horse.
He is living a natural lifestyle.
Note the weight bearing portion of the foot is backed up further under the leg in the after pictures.
| LEFT FRONT BEFORE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER |
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| INITIAL SET UP TRIM |
| LEFT FRONT FROM SIDE BEFORE AND AFTER |
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| IMMEDIATELY AFTER INITIAL SET UP TRIM |
| LF AFTER SET UP TRIM |
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| RF NOT YET TRIMMED |
ABOVE
The picture above shows the LF foot trimmed after the initial set up trim and the RF is not yet trimmed. NOTE:
the difference in width from this angle at the cartlege/heel area...as well as the overall 'bigger' appearance of the LF foot.
(We did trim the other one:)
A NEW LIFE
Below is a series of shots of before and after the initial trim
on the RF foot of a 23 year old Arabian gelding. The RF foot was his 'worst' and all were contracted
beyond the vertical. His owner is now taking charge of his trimming and is dedicated to his recovery.
HISTORY: He has been in shoes for the past 13 years without
a break. He spent most of his life in a standing stall in the barn with the exception of the past 3 years in which he
has been living in a run in shed.
This horse was thought to have a neurological disease by the
local vet because he recently started tripping and stumbling with his front feet.
We hope that this is not the case and the cause of his tripping and stumbling
lie in his improper hoof form and function.
These feet responded immediately with a full 1cm of expansion at the heels.
WOW
This little guy is a real trooper. He has spent his life in a traditional barn situation...suffering
from chronic laminitis for years and possibly a cushings horse. He has COPD (heaves) and had been previously
drugged for this 'condition'....as well as drugs for his re-occuring bouts with founder. His lifestyle has
been changed for the better but is still not ideal.
We will keep you updated on his progress.
Immediate Response
The above is a picture of the LF foot of a 9 year old Standardbred mare. She was off the race track about
3 or 4 years earlier due to pulling her tendon on the LF leg. She was pinfired to no avail and was sold to the
current owner as a 7 year old.
Notice the total difference in the two pictures. The before pic was taken the night before the initial trim.
The after pic was taken right after her first trim. Most of her issues involved the underside of the hoof with impacted
sole and bar material and severely underrun heels.
History:
She has suffered intermittant lameness and overall stiffness and body weakness. The owner has converted her
to a natural lifestyle and is reported to be sound and happy.
Total Relief!
The above pictures are showing the progression of healing of a chronically foundered TB mare. 6 months in
rehab and she is back to being sound and ridden regularly.
Conventional treatment was tried and failed. She was converted to a natural lifestyle and in our care for the duration
of her full recovery. She is now 15 years old and acts like a 2 year old most days. Happy to report
that she is happy and in a new home where she continues to live a natural lifestyle and will stay there for the rest of her
days.
The above picture shows a 15 year old QH mare RH foot. A shot of before the initial trim and after the initial
trim.
Her feet were overly long and she was stabled for many years. She has worn shoes in the past but had been
barefoot for a couple of years with traditionaly 'pasture' trims.
She is now living a natural lifestyle and her owner is riding her after 2 years in 'early' retirement.
The above picture shows the same QH mare with 15 days progression between trims. The first picture was after
the initial set up trim....the second 15 days later after the second trim.
She has progressed beautifully and we are humbled by the incredible ability of the foot to adapt and reform...
when given the proper medium to do so!
We are happy to report that the owner has recently completed a riding clinic with the mare...barefoot and happy.
She plans to continue riding this summer and possibly show the mare later in the season.....despite her being totally blind
in one eye.
The above photo shows a 4 year old Shetland Pony front feet. One foot (RF) is completed the initial trim
and the other (LF) has not yet been done.
It is amazing how doing just a little can affect the overall conformation of the horse....or in this case the pony.
He has also been traditionally stabled for most of his life...but now enjoys full turnout with a natural lifestyle.
Good for him!!
The picture above is showing the Right Front foot of a warmblood gelding...15 years old. Notice the increase
in size and expansion of the heel area. (The third picture his foot is covered in arena dirt)
HISTORY:
This horse was shod most of his life and suffered intermittent lameness and "mystery" lameness. The owner recently
decided to try barefoot...after a few failed attempts with traditional 'pasture' trims.
The owner reports that after the EQ clinic, the horse is moving better than she has seen in 5 years or more.
He has more energy and agility, and continues to improve daily. He is sound and being ridden.
The above collection of pictures shows a QH Canadian cross...RF foot. It shows him with the shoe...shoe off
and after first trim....and then only 25 days later.....a before and after shot....(2nd trim). Look
at the changes immediately in the overall shape and health of the foot. In a very short time...amazing.
He still has a ways to go...but he is back to light riding with his owner......while remaining in transition.
HISTORY:
A 10 year old with no known lameness issues (other than being short strided!) ....but developed a very aggressive
attitude. Could the cause be in his feet? He has been shod for most of his life and by a wide variety
of farriers. We will continue to have updates on his feet as he is a local horse.
Above picture shows the foot of a Canadian QH cross mare....10 years old. Look at the pastern/hoof
axis. Broken in the before pic and looking good in the after pic. Notice the "8" nail holes invading
her foot...(on each side)
HISTORY:
The owner has tried going 'shoeless' a few times in the past but the horse became sore as well as had alot of chipping.
The farrier and vets recommended 'Biotin' supplements and the horse was on Biotin for one year. Biotin works to make
the foot hard .....but it makes the entire foot hard....(more like mummified!) I broke my knife on the frog!!
This horse instantly went from shuffling and short strided to moving with freedom. She has a ways to go to
grow out those nail holes.....but the owner is dedicated and we'll keep you posted.
The above picture shows a young QH filly...Right Hind foot. Thankfully she had never worn shoes.
The before picture shows where the foot 'wants' to break out....trying to fix itself. The last pic shows that
there is a scooping of the quarter incorporated into our trim....(kind like our arch)
HISTORY:
This horse never wore shoes and the owner wants to do some western gaming with her. She is continuing in her training.......we
will have future updates on her.
Progression shots of a 10 yr old gelding from shoes to the first trim and the third picture is 25 days later.
He still has improvements to make but his foot increased at least one size. Look at the difference in the
pastern/foot angle on the pictures. The middle pic was taken immediately after removing the shoes and applying
the set up trim. His stance is so noticeably different....looks much more comfortable.
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