Simon - week 8 comparison

 Time for an update on Simon, who has now been here for 8 weeks. As usual, the original photos are the upper ones and the current photos are the lower ones. 

I really like how much better his frog is on this foot, not only that it is better developed but also allowing his foot to load more centrally. 

You can see that there is new growth coming in at the top of the hoof capsules his hoof is becoming bulkier at the back. 

You can see that he developed a mild grass allergy, which is why this heel is covered in sudocrem, but other than that the digital cushion and frog are better developed and becoming stronger, which is good to see. 

I really like how much better this foot is looking. The points to note are the straighter bars and better frog, evidence of a foot which is loading better, as well as the fact that his heels are further back.

Confirmation from the side view that the back of the foot is getting stronger and functioning better. 

This is whey you need photos from all 3 angles - from here it doesn't look that different, but overall he is doing well and I am pleased with his progress!

New boys, L and Simon

 Our new boys have been here for 4 weeks so time to take a look at their feet and see what has been changing. 

I will post their footage on Instagram, and their photos on here. First up, L's feet:

Original pictures are at the top, as usual, with the more recent photos below. There are no dramatic changes here but a shift towards a stronger caudal hoof. This is his problem side, and he is still on/off lame on this foot in walk so we are being careful with his work. 

Stripes are helpful on hooves, because they highlight the changing angles. I am fairly sure that the angle is already changing and it will be clearer in another few weeks.

Sorry, this is not a helpful angle change but I think his frog is improving which is the first sign of an improving hoof. 

Simon is next up, and again I will contrast one foot to keep the number of photos manageable. 

Funky foot, but his landing has definitely improved and I am happy that his frog is therefore getting better stimulus. 

As with L, the stripe helps to orient the angle of change - this is a foot which is loading more caudally than it used to. 

Again, sorry about the angle differentiation, and the changes are not particularly dramatic at the moment but I am happy with how he is landing so far and I am looking forward to seeing how he compares in another 4 weeks. 

Updates from the weekend - George and Daunte

Photos from the weekend, as George and Daunte have both been here for 8 weeks so it is time for an update...

As usual, the original photos are at the top and the most recent ones below. I'm quite pleased with the rebalancing of his feet, particularly that the back of his foot is stronger and loading better. 

Although George's toe looks longer in the more recent photo this will resolve without the need for trimming as his new hoof capsule grows in. 

I like the fact that his digital cushion is improving, although as he had a decent frog the changes are not as dramatic as in some horses.

Sorry that the angles are not a perfect comparison - this is Daunte's right foot; and for him the weak digital cartilage was the biggest problem so its great to see that improving.

A very different looking foot - there are big changes to come as you can see from the angle of growth and his toe will shorten over the next few months.

I like the fact that the heels are coming back - although his landing has a way to go he is confident on the roads and landing well so we will build this up over the next 4 weeks. 

Milli'e 12 week update

 Millie went home this weekend, really pleased with how well she has done and I hope we will have updates from her owners to post in the future.

I've led with the photos of the back of her foot because this best demonstrates the changes she has made. Where a horse arrives with feet that look ok from the front and side it can be harder to see changes. 

In fact in most of the horses who come here it is the back of the foot that changes the most, since they tend to have injuries in the caudal hoof.

For Millie there is a big improvement in the strength and depth of her digital cushion and frog - the top photo shows how much higher her heels, and weaker her frog, compared to now.

You can see her foot his shorter and loading more centrally but its harder to spot angle changes.

By comparison, there is a big difference when you look from this angle. Her landing is also more confident both in front and behind (I've added her current footage below).

Improved, but the differences are easier to see when you focus on the caudal hoof or sole.

Heels are now much further back and lower, and the frog is more functional. 

This is her original footage, with the new footage below.

Goldy's update

 Goldy has been here for over 12 weeks but I missed his update so belatedly and with apologies here it is...

As usual, the original photo is at the top and the 12 week update is below. Some really good changes and the new growth is very clear from this angle. 

The top photo is his foot straight out of shoes and pads, actually in much better shape than I expected. After 12 weeks though his frog is really developing well and his heels are significantly less under-run which is another good sign. 

This angle is for me always one of the most important, and often overlooked as it is not a typical viewpoint. However a healthy digital cushion and palmar hoof is critical, and particularly in the horses who come to us for rehab, is usually the area where they have injuries.

Its good to see a more balanced and stronger foot today, with Goldy definitely heading in the right direction. 

The angles are pretty funky but this is entirely Goldy's own work - as usual, no trimming has been done and his toe is shortening steadily as the new hoof grows down.

Again, better frog development and less under-run heels; he has been landing better on this foot on the whole, and its good to see the left catching up.

There was less distortion on this foot than the left so it was already in better balance but good to see the shorter hoof capsule and more substantial digital cushion.