Red's 8 week update (or How feet affect the back and neck)

Finally our school has defrosted, after a good 2-3 weeks of being frozen solid and even harder than usual. Yesterday was really the first day it was useable and luckily SB agreed to act as my camera-man which was a huge help. 

 These photos of Red, taken out of the footage we have of her on day one and yesterday are a good illustration I think of how foot balance affects the whole body. 

She didn't actually look too lame on day one but she was landing toe first. This meant she couldn't fully extend in front and she tended to brace through her neck and shoulder and be hollow through her back. She is a very active horse and so this was the best way - for her - of keeping moving with less than perfect feet. 

Red started landing much better within a fairly short time and her stride length began to increase as a result and its from that stage that she began to discover that there were more comfortable, more efficient and better ways of moving. 

Its not established or consistent yet, of course, and like most rehab horses, Red still has several months more of ongoing work before she has grown in a new hoof capsule but both her feet and her movement should continue to improve. 

These photos - I hope - help illustrate that feet have to be working correctly in order for horses to be moving to the best of their ability. 

Here are her feet over 8 weeks...

...a shorter toe, more robust heel...

Palmar shots also show a stronger digital cushion which should continue to improve. 

Updates on the others to follow during the week as fast as I can get them up - please be patient!

Happy boy

Charlie out with Andy - doing what he does best and very happy to be doing so :-)

SB's hunting photos!

SB had his camera out hunting yesterday  - first day out for ages for us and our horses - and got these great shots :-)

Charlie on a mission...

..hounds on a mission...

 Charlie and Felix in pursuit...

More updates - spring must be in the air!

Well, we've had much warmer weather here for the last couple of days so lets hope that spring is finally on its way. There is certainly no shortage of updates on the ex-rehabs, who have obviously all been busy over Easter.  

First off, a gorgeous photo of Ginger, who was here just over 2 years ago. He had a diagnosis of navicular and arthritis but has been the most fantastic poster boy for rehab - at the age of 20! As Danielle puts it: "My 20 year old poor pony with Arthritis and Navicular. But thanks to Nic he's still here and still loves ragging my arms out to get to the jump! " Not to mention cleaning up when he goes out showing!

And inspired by photos of his best friend at Rockley, Bryan, Buster has also emailed me some photos of himself looking rather marvellous one year on :-) Better still, he's sent me a video of himself going REALLY fast! Can't wait to see him and Bryan run into each other's arms at the RRR later this year :-)

New boy Charlie B

These feet belong to our latest arrival, Charlie B, who came from Kent last week. He is the first horse in a while to arrive sporting a set of shoes - it will make his first set of comparison photos, in a few weeks' time, all the more interesting.

I took this shot as I am wondering if this very toe-out stance will change. 

There will be more on Charlie shortly...

...but for now its a case of taking his shoes off, letting him move and encouraging him to get on with growing better feet.

More from the weekend...

Dear Domino, who like Big Barefoot Bryan was here this time last year (in much warmer weather!) was also out and about this weekend, jumping, schooling and generally looking very posh in his new yard, accompanied by his 2 friends :-)

Charlotte also posted the video of Ellie and BBB, who went jumping not once but twice over the weekend and are looking absolutely superb - not only multiple clear rounds but they were placed fifth!

And finally a nice photo of Remi with Pip and Mac, putting in the mileage to grow in his better feet!

I have lots of hoof pics to upload this week for the rehab horses, including shots of new boy Charlie - watch this space!

BBBoing!

...not the Easter bunny but Big Barefoot Bryan out showjumping with Ellie, who did such a great blog about him a while ago.  Rumour has it they had a double clear...well done both of you :-)

Hope all the rest of you are out having fun over the bank holiday and looking forward to more rehab action pics!