El's recurrent hind end abscess - solved! (Hopefully)

Subtitle -  How and Why a Barefoot Trimmer ALMOST Ended Up Putting On Shoes.
I am a bit hesitant writing this article.  On the surface it would appear that I am about to violate everything I believe in, regarding hoofcare.  But that is simply not the case.  I became a barefoot advocate and a barefoot trimmer because I truly believe it is in the best interest of horses.

Okay, what the heck am I talking about? :)

Here's the issue and some background:  El began competing last year as a 6 year old.  He completed roughly 150 miles barefoot, in 25 mile rides.  Then in August, I decided to take him to a multi-day ride in Michigan called Shore to Shore.  I was a bit concerned that his hooves might not be tough enough to handle 25 miles per day, so I decided to boot him for the week.  He completed 100 miles that week and looked great.  Here's the glitch - 3 weeks after Shore to Shore, he blew an enormous abscess in the right hind heel bulb.  At the time, I didn't think too much of it, as abscesses are relatively common.
Fast forward - 5 weeks later, El comleted a 40 mile competitive ride in good shape.
Fast forward - 4 weeks.  El blows another abscess in the heel bulb.  At that time, I had a vet look at the heel.  We thought it might just be a residual effect from the initial abscess, just a pocket of infection that needed to work itself to the surface.  No big deal.
Fast forward once more - March 2011.  El and I take a vacation to the Shawnee National Forest.  I read quite a few articles on the difficulty of the terrain in the Shawnee.  I decided to bring hoofboots along just in case.  As I said in an earlier entry, I rode several days completely barefoot and then felt El was becoming a bit hoof sore, so I booted him the remainder of the week.
Fast forward last! time - April 2011.  El is once again lame in the rear hind.  3 days later, another abscess.

Okay, the rocket scientists reading this, perhaps have already put the pieces of the puzzle together.  For the rest of us, myself included, here's what has been happening - the backstrap and/or gaiter has been rubbing El's heelbulbs, creating a blood blister, sore, or abscess.  More importantly, because of the location of this abscess it is almost impossible for this area to drain.  I haven't quite figured out how to tip El upside down. :)

So, now I have a problem.  The recurrent abscesses in the heel bulb have taken the integrity of El's heel and pretty much trashed it.  I am now faced with a choice, turn El out for 3 -6 months and hope that he would move enough on turnout to grow out a heel on his own or put a shoe on that hoof to support that heel.  The addition of the shoe will allow me to work him and accelerate the hoof growth.  Exercise stimulates blood flow, which in turn stimulates hoof growth. Okay, now I have a problem - I know that exercise will stimulate hoof growth, but the addition of metal will constrict blood flow.  Think, think, think.

When the vet initially gave me his recommendation of putting a shoe on that hoof, I felt very conflicted, but unless I can figure out a way to support that hoof, shoes it will be.  Wouldn't this violate my basic belief in my profession?  I thought about this for about 2 seconds, then remembered that the reason I became involved in hoofcare was to help horses and do what was best for the horse at all times.

If a vet that I really believe in tells me that El's heel needs to be supported by a shoe, and I don't know of any other way to help him - I have an obligation to do what is right for him, no matter what.

UPDATE:  After spending 24 hours pondering, researching the internet, calling friends and friends of friends, here's what I came up:
Basic problem:  Very low heels due to the repeated abscessing and boot rubbing.

Possible solutions:  Rear shoes for a short period to support hoof OR!  this is very exciting - Equi-casts. 
Equi-casts are a product similar the stuff that doctors use to cast a human's broken arm.  The use of Equi-cast will allow me to support and stabilize the hoof, allowing the heel to grow out with being abraded!
Many thanks to Pete Ramey, who wrote an excellent article on the use of Equi-casts.  Click the link below for the complete article.
Pete Ramey Article on the Use of Equi-casts
Pictures to follow.

Thanks to everyone who emailed or phoned with possible solutions.  Thanks even to those that chastised me a bit for thinking of putting shoes on.  Made me angry enough to keep searching.  Whether that was your intent or not - it worked!

New Boots!

I have been using Easyboots since I began competing in endurance riding in 2005. Mainly, I have used the basic Easyboot.
These boots worked really well for Bert.  The only alteration I made was the addition of duct tape to the sides to ensure that his walls weren't scuffed up from the repeated use.




When I began competing/conditioning El in 2009, I noticed that the Easyboots didn't seem to be working as well for him.  What I meant by not working is - I spent more time looking for and picking boots up on the trail than I spent riding the trail! :(  I played around with different sizes and finally came to the realization that perhaps he needed a different type of boot.  To be truthful, I experimented with Renegade boots.  I had a very scary experience with Renegades while on vacation down in the Shawnee.  I will write more about that later.  Let it be said, that for me, Renegades are not a safe booting alternative.
The Great Boot Search for El continued in 2010.  I began using Easyboot Epics on him and this seemed to be a good alternative.  The addition of the gaiter really seemed to stabilize the boots.

 The Epics stayed on but I still had issues on a deep, single track trail.  El would get interference dings from the hardware on the Epics.  Okay, more searching. 

  Aha! Easyboot Gloves! These boots fulfill all my requirements for a perfect boot - lightweight, little to no hardware, easy to fit, and they stay on!!
I love, love, love these boots!

Riding Vacation in the Shawnee National Forest

Shawnee Riding Vacation March 2011

The last week of March, good friend, Karen Farnsworth and I traveled to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois for a riding vacation.

The Shawnee forest in managed by the federal government and is comprised of over 280,000 acres of forest.
We decided to stay at Bear Branch Horse Resort, which is centrally located near Lusk Creek Canyon.

  Our host, Dick, was very pleasant and informative.  He gave us maps of the forest area as well as his personal maps.

We got the horses settled in their stalls for the night.  Stalls are pretty basic, clean and shavings were included in the cost of $12/night.

 

Due to a scheduling snafu, we were unable to stay in our originally requested cabin and we were offered the Bear's Den for a couple of nights at a discount.  Not a problem.  We settled ourselves in the Bear's Den cabin.  It was as small as it looks! but it did have a shower, toilet, heat, air-conditioning, fridge, sink, and most importantly, a coffee maker!

  

We were a bit apprehensive setting out the first morning.  The Shawnee Forest encompasses over 280,000 acres of land.  That's quite a bit of trail to get lost in!  Our plan was to explore out 2 -3 miles, find our way back and then venture out again.  Well, after a short ride out, our worries were put aside,. the trails were extremely well-marked and we never once felt that we were in navigational danger. 

The scenery was breath-taking.  Beautiful hardwood forest interlaced with gravel covered trails.  We were quite fortunate to make our first trip during the spring.  The lack of foliage made navigation quite easy! 

We averaged between 15 and 20 miles per day over mostly gravel covered trail.  The trail is criss-crossed with numerous stream crossings.  Perfect for a horse that is a bit water apprehensive.  Read - EL. ;)

  After crossing 15 streams the first morning, he never batted an eye at water the rest of the week.  Cross that item off my to do list! :)

I rode the first 2 days totally barefoot and felt the rock covered trail was starting to bother El's hooves.  I decided to boot for the remainder of the week.  I had brought 4 Epic Easyboot with me, so I could boot front and rear if need be.  Karen decided to boot her mare also and she was doing some experimentation with Renegade boots.   

On the third day, we were able to move into our new home away from home, the Wrangler Cabin.  The Wrangler is able to sleep 6 people and we had much more room.

Okay, now that we were settled in our new home, had our horses booted, we decided to become adventurous.  We packed water and a snack and headed out on a long ride.

  

Once again, beautiful trails and large rock formations everywhere.  The only hiccup today was after crossing a small river.  We began to climb a rather large hill, when Karen yelled out, "Snake, snake."  I looked up and told her, "Don't be silly, that's a stick." 

 Obviously, I need glasses!  Sadly, I already have them.  Karen's mare wanted no part of the 'stick.'  El wasn't sure what to make of it, but was a little too interested for my taste.  I asked Karen if she was in a hurry to get going or perhaps we could just wait until the snake decided to leave the trail.  We decided to wait!  A funny moment.  If that snake hadn't decided to leave the trail, we would probably still be sitting there, chatting nervously. :)

On the 5th day, I had a goal of riding out to Cedar Grove Road, about 12 miles from our base camp.  No particular reason, just an idea.  The weather looked a bit dicey as we set out, so I packed disposable raingear for us.  These raincoats are so handy and cheap, I have at least 4 or 5 on hand at all times.  I pack them in my saddle bags, in my crew bag and one in my trailer. 

Good thing we packed the raincoats as we were rained on twice and had a bit of hail on our way out to Cedar Grove Road.   

Doesn't this look like beautful riding?

Here I am at our destination.  You can tell by El's expression, he is as thrilled as me!  Next year, when we go back, I want to go past this marker, cross the road and explore that unknown area!

All in all, it was a great vacation and a wonderful riding experience.  I would encourage everyone to take a few days and explore the Shawnee Forest area.  Beautiful scenery, well-marked trails and excellent horse and human accommodations!  Please contact me if you would like more information about our trip!

New Blog!

Hi! My name is Joslyn Seefeldt. I am an endurance/competitive trail rider here in the midwest. I have been thinking of starting a blog to detail our adventures for quite some time and finally took the plunge!

Currently, I am competing 2 horses -

DSD Starstruck (El), 7 year old Arabian gelding.

Pasarab's Abierto.  A 13 year old Paso Fino Gelding.  Bert was AERC's Limited Distance National Mileage award winner in 2010.