Odds and Ends

I read somewhere during the past year that someone was having good results feeding their horses pro-biotics to help clean out the parasites, thus eliminating the need for worming. We had already gone to a program of fecal testing before worming, with a plan to test every six months and only worm if the tests are positive. So we started using Probios Dispersible Powder (http://www.probios.com/powders.htm#disperpwdr), mixing about a half teaspoon with each horse’s small tub of Triple Crown Safe Starch forage, feeding it for a week, then off for two weeks. In other words, about a week every three weeks.

It has now been two years without a worming and we have found that the combination of Probios and diatomaceous earth is keeping them clean. The Diet & Nutrition page of the website spells out the details. That’s poison we are no longer putting inside our guys and gals.

For those who don’t know what probiotics are, it’s like feeding your horses yogurt, putting those “good” live cultures to work. At worst, it’s just plain good for them. At best, we might have found a way to keep poison out of their bodies. The theory I read is that the “good cultures” help send the bad parasites down the tube so to speak. I’ll report again in November to let you know if we’re still good. I’m also asking the Probios people to do some research on their own. This could be really good news. Of course, it is not a scientific study, properly done, etc etc. I just didn’t want to put any more poison into their bodies, heard about someone having luck with this, and decided to try it. So far so good. If anyone else decided to give it a go, please let me know the results.

Next, I thought you’d all enjoy the review below of Pete Ramey’s new DVD set on barefoot. Primarily because it’s a review from the American Farrier Journal, the publication of and for traditional farriers. Pretty outstanding:

“Pete Ramey’s set of DVD’s is without a doubt a must-have series for any equine rofessional farrier or horse owner. While he is an advocate of barefoot trimming, here are many ideas that you can learn from this package regardless of how you trim and shoe horses. In these 10 DVD’s, Pete Ramey spends 16 hours covering topics ranging from basic anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, laminitis, navicular issues and problem feet. All are discussed in a clear, no-nonsense approach.

This series is filled with detailed information that all equine professionals can use. Everything is explained in such a way that everyone can benefit from Ramey’s knowledge and learn new ways to unlock tremendous healing powers from the horse’s hooves. It focuses on the ability to demonstrate the steps that are needed to drive a pathological hoof toward a healthier state. A combination of contemporary veterinary research and practical real-world field work will help viewers arrive at sound protocols that can be put to immediate use with any horse.

In 9 hours of classroom instruction, you’ll learn about the mechanics of trimming and how to effectively bring positive changes to the hoof over time. You’ll also develop a deep understanding of the internal hoof structure and see how it impacts a horse’s performance.

Following the lecture portion, you’ll view 7 hours of trimming on live horses suffering from a wide range of hoof concerns. This includes assorted breeds, a foundered mule and a draft horse. Finally, the DVD walks you step-by-step through an emergency call with a laminitic horse suffering from a 20-degree rotation. You’ll evaluate the trimming and progressduring a number of visits with this laminitic horse.

Pete Ramey offers wisdom and insight that his years of practice and study have given him. If you own only oneshoeing DVD series, this should be it.” – American Farriers Journal May/June 2008 issue

And now a story from Irish trimmer, Dermot McCourt. This made me cry. What a wonderful world people like this make for all of us, and for all horses. This came to me as an email from Dermot fowarded by a mutual friend. I had seen Dermot’s website (http://hoofsculpture.com/) and had asked why he had screwed a rubber pad onto a horse’s foot. I, unfortunately didn’t take the time to read and determine that it wasn’t actually screwed into the hoof wall. This is the response to my question.

Hi Trish, thanks for the mention to Joe. I am going to answer his question to you in the first instance. The horse in question was being treated by a vet and farrier for weeks. Nothing more could be done, and so the mare was to be p t s when the kids were in bed. The owners daughter told my niece, to ask for my help. I went for the mare which could not walk, and so was carried, using sheets, ropes etc, into a trailer. She was unloaded the same way.   Jeanette and myself worked at her for hours. We lifted her with a sling which I made, and used pully blocks. She had pedal bones penetrating through both front feet. This was a terrible situation. So we had laminitis, rotation, penetration and infection in both fee. I reshaped the feet to ease pressure, trimmed away all necrotic material, and pressure washed the wounds.   The next prob was that she had to walk to pump out the infection and increase blood supply.

The wounds needed to be cleaned every day, and every two days later on. In this mare’s case, boots would have been very dirty with the infection etc,also it was winter, and water, mud etc was also a prob.   Knowing also that we were in for the long haul, I knew from previous cases that any boot used full time over a long period would cause sores in the bulbs, back of frog etc.   In the past i have found sore or infected bulbs hard to treat   . so i opted for everything open, and protect the sole.

As well as this I needed to support the bone in an exact spot. Not possible with boots.   So I applied a rim of urithane all the way around the outer wall. I also formed a soft urithane rim around the wounds, it looked   like the rim of a volcano. I then cut a firm rubber pad to size, and screwed it to the urithane rim,   not the hoof wall. I then sealed everything with a soft sealant.   We then set her free, and she walked slowly to the field and started to graze. I removed the pad for cleaning every 1-2-3 days.   From that night she did not spend one night inside , but chose to stay with 7 other horses.   After 6 weeks I was able to do away with the pads, and after 13 weeks she was fit to go home.   A fiew weeks after that the owner and his daughter called to show me a 1st place rossette she had just won.   She never looked back.

How fantastic is that? And how dedicated is Dermot?! Much applause and cheering for you Dermot. I am so glad we have folks who care this much on our planet.

Joe