My Neighbor's Horses's Feet

This, to me, looks like their farrier was trying to remedy White Line Disease, by allowing oxygen to get into the hoof. These feet, on their obese gelding, don't seem so terrible, but the only time I have seen similar the horse was kept in a very sterile environment. (Yes, they rode him the other day)
Okay, that is not so bad you say, well this is the foot that about made me have a coronary! They were riding this horse the other day too! Holy cow! This horse is definitely sore on this foot, just walking around the field. This gelding is also extremely obese. Yikes! I have NEVER seen a foot like this!

It seems to me they probably have a knowledgeable farrier, but I know their farrier didn't do this work, then say "stick 'em back out on grass to stuff their faces and ride all ya want!" At least I hope not! As a side note, the one (and only) time I have ever seen these two being rode was just the other day and one of them bucked off their rider. (Not surprising now that I have seen their feet!)

Heart Attack

Well, my regular farrier has been really busy lately and I haven't been able to get him out to my farm, so I called another guy to come out and shoe my two horses.

My regular farrier, Cody, charges me $60 to do all four of Margo's feet in new shoes. He charges me $30 for a trim on the pony (kind of expensive for the pony, but that is okay, only $90 total.)

So, this other guy came out yesterday to shoe for me, so I had Daniel get me out $100 cash to pay him. Well, this guy charges $125 for a full set!!! OMG! He uses a slightly heavier shoe with toe clips, but still! Gah! That is SO expensive!

So then I asked how much for a trim then, he said that is the same a 'regular shoe job,' whatever that means... Yikes! So, I told him my husband has been laid off the last two months... All I have is $100 cash, I will have to write him a check for the rest. Okay...

So he shoes Margo, which he did do a really nice job, she was WAY long in the toe, and he really made an effort to correct the angles of her feet. Then he does Pete, which took 5 min tops.

So he gave me my bill, and he only charged me for Margo. I thought that was really nice. If Cody trims Pete for $30, who knows what this guy normally charges for a trim?! (Even though it seriously only took 5 min, maybe I can start trimming Pete myself?)

Anyway, I think I will have to sweet talk Cody to come do Margo next time. I can NOT afford $125 for a set of shoes! Holy Moly! I know that this guy drove out to my place, so there is gas $$$, also he said he pays $25 for the shoes themselves, but it still took him only an hour! $125 an hour! Wish my back would hold up to be a farrier!

Diets, Blah!

Fatties!
Well, I started a diet, because I quit smoking and started eating all the time! I had to stop that or I was going to gain twenty pounds! :) Well, I have lost three pounds so far, and I cheated really bad last week! Ha! Oh well, at least I am not smoking! Two weeks today!

So, my farrier was out last night, to do Mags and Pete's feet. He said that they are both super freaking fat. He also said Margo has GAINED weight since the last time he was out. He claims that if I don't dry lot her ASAP, she is going to founder on me! GAH!

So, now her and Pete are going to have to live in the little pen (35'x50') between my barns (with the stall.) My farrier suggested they live in there 24/7, with one flake of hay in the am, and then turned out for one hour in the evening. He also strongly suggested that I lunge or ride Margo for at least 30 min everyday!
Why do I have to have such fatties?! Now I will have to start mucking the pen everyday too!

And, Daniel and I are going to HAVE to fix the fence around the pen. The section dividing the pen from the backyard is super loose barb wire. Dan said we can afford to do a board fence there, which is going to require the digging of 6 holes for posts, also the purchase of wood. (Anyone want to come out and help on Saturday?)

Poor me! :(
Why do they have to be SO fat??
I thought I was doing good to cut them down to just the 3/4 acre around the barn! I guess not. My farrier suggested I do this (keep them in pen, etc) until the next time he comes out (appx 6 wks) then he will help me decide where to go from there. Basically, Margo (and Pete) cannot be out on any grass until, probably, the end of summer... *sigh...

Farrier Came Out This Weekend (Before & Afters)

Margo and Peter were both overdue to get their feet done, so I took some pictures to illustrate...
Margo before:

Margo after: (much better shape to her foot!)

Side by side comparison: (before on left, after on right)(notice long toe, lowered heel in before picture)

To further illustrate: Margo's foot before. Notice (A) - a sprung nail; (B) shoe is sliding away from hoof wall.

And of course, Peter...

Here is his before and after:

He was also getting "long in the toe."