So much has happened in the last two weeks. It began with a discouraging low point. Fall had arrived and Winter was
coming; we were having a weather pattern of rain followed by warm days that
was causing the grass to grow just as quickly and richly as in Spring.
Scipion and Blanchette were becoming even more overweight on the unlimited
diet of rich pasture that the owner continued to offer to the horses. This was increasing the risk of another serious episode of laminitis, meaning more pain and damage to the hooves. The horses were showing
signs of discomfort and inflammation.
I was still operating alone and feeling discouraged about finding
the help that the horses needed. Virginie had come two times for training
sessions with Blanchette. These training sessions helped Blanchette learn a
lot about trusting the halter and lead, but it did not solve the bigger
problems of the horses’ future. I continued my search for help by putting up
signs at veterinary clinics and trying to make contact with horse lovers and equine
centers.
Then one of my calls led to a very helpful contact. Her name is
Tamara and her horse rescue association is called L’Assocation Marie Douce. She operates on donations for the
work she does. I had spoken with her already and she gave me some advice. But when
I told her about the urgent situation, and my plans for raising the money to
pay the expenses for these three horses, she agreed to help.
She had the advantage of being French and having experience with horse owners like this one. She contacted him, met with him and explained why these horses needed help. She convinced him it would be a good idea to turn the ownership of the horses over to a non-profit Association to facilitate the transition period. This would enable the horses to be micro-chipped in the Association's name. It is essential that they are micro-chipped because it is the law and legally they can't be adopted unless they are chipped. This has been a sticky point since the owner will not spend the money to do it himself.
Yesterday, Tamara came with an
equine veterinarian and a farrier to start immediate emergency care. The
veterinarian gave them shots of
anti-inflammation and pain medication, and also sedated them so that the
farrier could work on the hooves. It was very impressive to watch people who are
experts on horses and how to manage them. The farrier, Bernard, along with
Tamara, were fearless in the face of horses who were fighting them, trying to
get away and rearing up, even with sedation. These horses have not yet been
trained to give their hooves willingly. That makes Bernard a real hero; it is rare to find a farrier who is willing or able to take on the daunting task of working on untrained horses.
It’s not just a question of using strength and confidence to
control the horses...but of using the horse whisperer techniques as well,
knowing how to calm them and gain their trust. I took photos, but I didn’t
manage to take any when the biggest horse, Scipion, was rearing up and trying
to get away while Tamara and Bernard refused to let go of the lead and managed
to hold this 1000 pound animal in place. I was too frozen in fear and amazement
to take pictures in those moments, fear for Tamara and Bernard, that they
would get trampled or badly kicked, and amazement that they didn’t.
The hooves look much better now but don't be fooled by appearances...this is just the beginning of the rehabilitation process. Because they have lived so many years with laminitis and overgrown hooves, they now have malformation in the bones, joints and cartilage of the legs and feet. Partly because fo the pain and partly because of the overgrown shape/length, the horses are forced to put their weight backwards, on the heel/talon of the hoof. This creates a vicious cycle where the front edge of the hoofs do not meet the ground in the normal way that helps them wear down naturally, so they grow long very quickly which starts the problem all over again.
To rehabilitate the hooves back to an optimum healthy norm it would be necessary for the farrier to trim the hooves more often than is usually required. Ideally, given the money to do so, this would be once every 6 weeks for about a year, total cost of one year for 3 horses, 954 euros ($1288).
To see before and after photos of the hooves go to the "Hooves" page of the blog.
To rehabilitate the hooves back to an optimum healthy norm it would be necessary for the farrier to trim the hooves more often than is usually required. Ideally, given the money to do so, this would be once every 6 weeks for about a year, total cost of one year for 3 horses, 954 euros ($1288).
To see before and after photos of the hooves go to the "Hooves" page of the blog.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story and
please share with others who may be interested in helping or sharing.
