12. Flicka's Journey - The Third Trim. This is Bob's Hoof.

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.  If you would like to read the whole story, scroll down to post number 1.

 

If you keep your eye on the horizontal crack in Flicka’s left front hoof, where an old abscess erupted some time ago (probably when it was around her cornet band), you can observe the new hoof growing in above.  This is what we are going to call, Bob’s hoof.  It is the hoof that can grow when a proper "set up" trim occurs allowing the horse to walk properly and also help keep the hoof wall from separating any further due to the hoof wall falling away from the sole.  Bob’s hoof is growing fast, he comes out several times a month to keep the whole herd trimmed and is preparing some of the youngsters for their first ride too!  Flicka's has kept a regular schedule of trims once per month and it has greatly contributed towards her rehabilitation.  

You can still see the wall separated from the sole at the front end of the hoof.

You can also see the new healthy hoof growing in above the abscess mark!

Bob’s hoof is growing in at the proper angle. You can see the angle below the abscess is a completely different angle.  The video in this post has Bob pointing out the angles and break over point he has created for this pony.   In less than 6 months the whole hoof will be completely new; created by proper hoof care.  Bob's work of art. 

 

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

11. Flicka's Journey - A Rational Ration

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.  If you would like to read the whole story, scroll down to post number 1.

As soon as the rations were sent down from Amanda with ARK Nutrition, I got to work getting the horses used to their new mix. There is always a bit of loose salt in the menu, and I finally found a great way to bypass all the anti-clumping chemicals you find in agricultural loose salt for feeding to domestic animals.  We now purchase Kosher salt by the crate.  It  contains, salt, only salt, no additives! 

Flicka comes in with the herd for her ration of mineral (EquiSynergy, ARK Nutrition), probiotics through a yeast mixture developed by ARK Nutrition, and a bit of protein via one cup of alfalfa pellets.

When I began working with ARK Nutrition in 2008, I wanted a mineral mix that supported my herds needs as they grazed the native prairie for their main forage.  It had to contain no animal byproducts, had to be simple and easy to feed . . . it has been wonderful working with such an accommodating and talented equine nutritionist.  Flicka is benefiting from the very best.

I tie her away from the others so she can take her time and eat everything down to the last bit of mineral. Then back out to winter pasture for high quality roughage and movement!

It takes an hour or so to make sure everyone in the herd gets their allotted ration and then they all head back to their winter pasture. I head into the house for my "ration" just as the sun sets, and dream of training sessions, rides and competitions with the Canadians in the spring and summer!  And Flicka?  Well, when her feet have grown in solid, which they are doing so well right now, we will get her started too.

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

10. Flicka's Journey - A Visit by The Chiropractor!

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.  If you would like to read the whole story, scroll down to post number 1.

Smokey calls and is able to make it to the farm to look at two horses on January 1, 2015. I head outside again, it is windy, but warm.  Flicka and another horse I have in training come into the corral.  Smokey Provost is our horses chiropractor.  By observing his work on my competitive trail horse in 2005, I am a dedicated follower of this practice.  Not only is it needed, it is required to keep horses working happily and soundly. 

 Horses can adjust themselves as well, you see it in the field when they roll or rub against a fence post.  In some cases they need help. I find Smokey has the touch, experience and skill to do a proper job.  I am not sure if the adjustment is needed because of the recent fairly rough entry into the herd, or if it is from a long term issue; it is however needing to be dealt with.  We both notice Flicka moving around uncooperatively, I am having a bit of trouble handling her and taking pictures at the same time. 

Flicka is not relaxed.  I walk her away and back as Smokey observes.  He works on her left shoulder first, then moves to her back.  You can see a strip of dander and dust come through the coat as he feels for inconsistencies along the spine.  Smokey stops just above the kidney area.  I remember what Amanda said during that first health assessment . . .  Flicka was very tight in the kidney area.

Smokey has targeted that area, without the background of the health assessment and it all starts to make sense.  I tell him what Amanda had noticed, and he relates that a nerve could be pinched with vertebrae being out of alignment, that could cause tightness over that area.  I love how all the observations support each other from all three professionals who have worked on this pony.

After the work on her back, I notice Flicka settling down; she stands feet square, head low and relaxed as Smokey massages the muscles on either side midway down her spine.   I walk her back and forth, and she walks evenly.  May as well have everything working properly; this aids recovery.  I have already set time aside for Flicka to see the horse dentist this spring. 

Now, folks may be wondering why I have not brought Flicka directly to my veterinarian.   I have spoken to my regular horse veterinarian about the rehabilitation.  And to be sure,  if I have even the slightest inclination of anything going array during the rehabilitation, Flicka will be loaded up and brought in for an examination.  As it stands now, the pony is improving, moving well, loosing weight; everything appears to be mending.  Vet is on standby.  Our farm works with a top notch local veterinarian, who answers all my questions, and is full of knowledge.  There are just times when the other specialists have to put in the work instead, and this is one of those times.

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

9. Flicka's Journey - New Friends

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.

December 22: Flicka trots in, keeping up with the herd, actually, she is in front! She barely shows the stiffness she had when she first arrived.  So nice to see her movement  becoming more and more proper, and see how she has developed relationships in the herd.

The day is warm, crisp and sunny, no wind; first day of Christmas Holidays.  I stay home and do what I enjoy most . . . spend time with the horses.  Everyone comes in for mineral, a little love, and some de-burring.  The horses all have fairly long winter coats.  I always take some time to pet everyone on their side, checking the fat across the ribs.  I am pleased with the majority, most are in great shape for the winter.  Some I have to keep a careful watch to make sure they do not loose too much condition, and the few “way to easy keepers” I happily faintly feel ribs where I could not before!

Flicka and Missy - the only brown equines in the herd buddy up!

Later on I look out at the pasture, and two smaller equines are standing in the sun, out of the wind by themselves.  Flicka and Missy . . . a new friend.  In fact, Flicka leads Missy back to the herd when I approach them.  She has moved up in rank and has a follower! 


copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

8. Flicka's Journey - The Second Trim

  Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.

December 20th, 2014 - Bob Laye, our hoof care specialist, arrives in the afternoon to trim some of the horses; he works on Flicka first. Bob takes his time with this second trim, and explains everything he is doing and why.

Bob checking the angle of the hoof before getting to work.

I hope I can capture all of it.  He taps the outside of both front feet, the sound reverberates in the same way it would from tapping a hollow bowl.  It echoes the way it you would expect coming from unhealthy hooves with separated walls.  A much lighter sound than one coming from solid, healthy hooves. 

 

He continues and thoroughly removes dead material, projecting the angle the new hoof is growing in, and puts the bevel under the toe to match the angle of the new hoof. Check out the video with explanation, I have never seen an example so clearly demonstrated.

I ask Bob to walk Flicka, so I can video the progress.  Progress it is; I would not have dreamed she would be walking this way after only a month.  With the proper trim, the angle of the hoof aids in the restoration of a proper hoof.  Simply said, a properly trimmed hoof prevents the hoof from flaring, stop the flaring, the wall will stop separating and a new, healthy hoof can grow in. 

Bob notes “I never remove sole from a barefoot horse, however, this pony is an extreme case due to lack of trims in the past, and I was able to remove alot of dead, excess material.  You have to have a thorough understanding of the internal structure when you do this, because you still need to leave adequate protection under the coffin bone.  You have to start over with the foot when it is this overgrown.”  There is still enough thickness to protect the internal structure of the hoof.





 
Bob pointed out that one of the pony’s hips stays higher than the other when she is walking, her back is probably quite misaligned.  I make a mental note to call the horse chiropractor and get an appointment as soon as I can.

Flicka returns to the herd.  Happy and getting healthier, I swear her neck is not as thick and hard as it was a month ago. In 6 or so months, the entire new hoof, healthy with wall attached to the sole will have grown in. She will have lost excess fat, gained muscle and tone.  By then she should be in training with a bright future ahead of her.  I can not wait.

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

7. Flicka's Journey - On the Hill in the Herd

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.

December 14, 2014 - I visited Flicka and the herd on a warm sunny day in December.  They were contentedly grazing on the hillside.  Flicka is pretty much a part of the herd, pretty low in the kicking order, but there none the less! I photographed her taking a break, with a few of the herd behind her. 

 

Flicka in the sun on the north hill

I am so glad she has a herd; they keep her moving and provide security.  A horse that is under stress from a health issue, will gain comfort and reduce its stress when the horse knows there are other horses around to protect.

I videoed her walking along the top of the hill.  She is significantly better.  It looks like her muscles have started to support her new corrected hoof and posture.  Bob is coming back to continue work on December 20th.

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel

6. Flicka's Journey - Nurture verses Nature

Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.

Saturday November 29th I let the big gelding out into the field again, see if he can behave himself.  He thinks he is the head horse out there.  In a truly natural herd, Flicka may have been injured or worse, and that could mean death.  Nature can be cruel, and that is where I draw the line with natural horse keeping. I removed the gelding again.

Sunday morning I hiked out to the horses and videoed Canadian horses in their natural environment.  They had just spent a chilly minus 30 celcius or so night out in the pasture.

Flicka has a herd now.

All the horses were taking turns sunning themselves in the cool, but bright sunlight.  A few were pawing through 2 feet of snow and eating prairie grass.  Flicka was shaking.  I was tempted to halter her and bring her into the corral, but stayed and watched a while.  She was nipping low branches and twigs to eat, and then found a spot the Canadian horses had cleared and munched on grass.  She grazed the cleared patch.  Next, she found a snow covered spot, pawed her way through and found more grass.  Resilient, tough, with good instincts.  She had after all, thrived while living on a expansive grassland ranch in southern Saskatchewan for her first 4 years.  I feel those 4 years gave her the strength and good health to make it through the later 3 years of not such a great situation.

I told my nurturing self, that keeping Flicka in the pasture was the best thing to do, even though a human probably would have needed a cup of hot chocolate, a blanket and a seat in front of the fireplace at a time like this.

She is eating prairie grass and warming herself in the winter sun!

Keeping tabs on a small dark brown pony in a herd of various sizes of black Canadians simply takes a pair of binoculars and some inferencing . . . “oh yes, Flicka is fine, I see a pony just a bit further from the bunch, grazing, ah, then she runs away from a black horse making a statement, a little buck of protest, and then goes back to grazing.”  I think she is going to be okay.  Though, I kept that big gelding out of the mix for the week!






copyright Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel