We discussed boots. He said the easy cloud ones are for acute laminitis. She’s way past that and in the chronic stage. The farrier wants her to try barefoot to help the hoof restructure, if she tolerates it. Boots are the only option if the soft ground isn’t enough to keep her comfy. He recommends regular boots. Shoes would be tough without meds and because her wall is so bad on her right front.
We put the shavings down and she’s seems good for now.
We’re looking at supplements for her.
As far as X-rays, what she is now is what we’ve got. It won’t change her treatment. What we know is that it’s chronic and stable. We have to prioritize what is most important for her recovery because it does cost quite a bit to rehab a horse. If the vet recommends X-rays in the future, we will.
Sorry, I said shoes if she’s still sore in my initial update. Shoes are a last resort only. Boots are the go to if she hurts.
She is walking sound. Trotting will be entirely up to her. She’ll go from paddock with shavings to stall with shaving to grassy pasture. Hoping the soft ground will help her recovery and give her the best chance at being sound.
You may want to reconsider x-rays, they are essential to know what is going on in there, especially with some exterior pathology present.
Guessing to treat or trim without them is just too big a gamble and may cost the horse more time hurting before whatever is going on is addressed properly.
We run any new horse asap thru our vets, foot x-rays and blood pulling along with hands on examination.
That is super basic and has helped us and our horses from having things linger that should have been known and attended to sooner rather than later.
If you ever start doing that, you will see how helpful that is over the years.
She is really looking better now, glad that she is a sweet horse, glad that you can help her.
We’ll see what the vet says when I give her the update from the farrier. Thanks.
You are doing very well leaning on your team of hands on experts. Keep listening to them.
Far as supplements, had great luck with Farriers Formula on 5 different horses over a couple of decades, seen it work on many more…hopefully they still make it. Remember good hoof supplements really do produce visible results as the new hoof tissue slowly grows in, you can see it. Anything that helps the hoof also helps skin, hair and connective tissue, see that quicker then that 1/4 inch of hoof growth a month.
Given the farriers opinion, boots sound like a great idea to ease her discomfort until her body recovers from cannibalizing itself to stay alive.
I think I’d want to have rads done too, to see what the damage is if nothing else for a baseline. If she does need corrective trimming/shoeing at some point if/when her hooves can handle it, it’s always good to have that baseline to compare against.
When Charlie had laminitis I did rads at the onset (showed no rotation). Out of a huge abundance of caution, did them again before I started bringing him back just to be extra sure. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of $ in with the vet already, but feet are so important to know as much as you can about what’s going on.
Hopefully the soft footing will help keep her comfy!
If the vet wants X-rays, she’ll get X-rays. I trust this vet not to ask for anything more than what Matilda needs.
Sorry I was slow to respond to posts from this morning. After the farrier, we rushed into town to get those shavings.
The Red Cell came in, yay! I saw several different hoof supplements at TSC. I think one was Farriers Formula.
Oh my goodness, you guys. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see signs of heat with Matilda. Pregnancy would have been so difficult for this mare. 
I’ve read about founder and pregnancy. Is it a common complication? And all that extra weight on her poor hooves. I am anxiously awaiting confirmation that she is NOT pregnant.
That second picture hit me too. She looks like she’s smiling.
How long before you have the confirmation she’s not pregnant? Fingers and toes crossed!!!
You said her hoof was hollow? Are you going to have to soak with Clean Trax? It’s a pain just because it takes so long but it does work well.
I hope she feels better tomorrow and likes her barefoot life.
We find out for sure next week. The holiday slowed everything down. The sample goes to Kentucky and can indicate not just if she’s pregnant, but give us an idea about how far along she would’ve been. I don’t think it’s necessary now that I see heat signs, but it’s a great idea for any rescue mare that could be pregnant when you have no history.
The farrier did not say anything about soaking it. He just explained what damage an old abscess leaves behind. The abscess is long gone. I have to get good hoof pictures tomorrow for a friend that is really knowledgeable about trimming. She wants to share it with her FB group. I can post them here, too, if you guys want.
My horse has had problems with white line disease so when I hear that word that’s the first place my mind goes. Lol
I’d love to see them if you don’t mind posting them.
Oh yes, we fought that with my old gelding. White Lightning is awesome.
@moonlitoaksranch, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a great job with Matilda.
In my limited experience rehabbing starved horses, the need to fix everything NOW is pretty overwhelming. But as I’m sure you know, throwing too much at a debilitated horse at once can be cause major issues so going slower is usually better. It took her a while to get in this condition and it will take her a while to get back to good condition (though it may happen more quickly than you think, hopefully!). I’m looking forward to seeing Matilda when she blooms!
(BTW, the pony and the donkey are adorable. Matilda is in good company!)
No, I get it. She shows signs of being thankful and very attached to us. She was so brave today. The farrier recognized it as well. She’s a good girl. Even if we can’t get her where she can be ridden, she’s home. Our son said that. She’s actually his horse. He’d rather have her, regardless, than a horse he could ride anywhere. I agree whole heartedly, but he said it, which makes it even better. No more waltzing about looking for home, sweet mare.
Oh my goodness… what a blessing you and your son are to sweet Matilda.
Can’t wait to see pictures of her in a few months and then next spring. Buying fixer upper horses is not for the faint of heart, they take time to repair from the inside out.
You’re doing such an amazing job for her. I am so happy for Sweet Matilda!
While I get that the expenses can add up, I am throwing in another vote for baseline foot rads. I think that they can not only help figure out priorities with trimming and shoeing now, but also help you navigate any bumps in the future.
Best of luck, and thanks again for giving this sweet girl a great place to land.
Also, your kiddo sounds great! Kudos! You raised a good one, from the sounds of it.
What a great learning experience this is being for your son (who sounds like a Good Egg!)
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Aww. You warm my heart. Your son sounds like a sweetie, too.
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