2011 – Rock & Roll – 12-7-11 – FARRIER

11/25-27: Rock was getting a little sore, so I iced his feet over the Thanksgiving weekend for 15 minutes at a time. It did seem to help, but the last two times I only keep his back feet in for 5 minutes after the fronts had been in for 10 minutes. It seems to get cold and go up his leg and aggravate the bones in the hips. He is really hunched over in the rear and is having difficulty walking. I think we may need to make the effort to trim his feet. I consulted with Greg Farrand and he suggested putting him on Bute for three days before the farrier comes for the best chance at getting the job done. The angle on his hind feet is juts getting too steep and is putting pressure on the hip joints. He has almost 1 inch more heel than he needs behind. I will have to let Rock do the best he can for the next week because I have to have cataract surgery. I did change wraps on December 1 because his knees were getting skinned up again and it was so cold and snowy, he has to miss his massage. (no pictures or video)

12/7/11: Dean Geeson came out today and we had Rock on Bute for two days before he arrived. Rock was still not standing well though he stood better than he moved. We assessed the situation and decided that he really did need about an inch off his heels. Chad and I consulted and decided the hoof jack was too high for Rock and was putting too much pressure on the hips, so Chad designed a six-inch hoof jack and built it so he only had to lift his hind feet to a minimum and it worked great! Rock was really visibly happy when he realized that he only had to lift his foot a little bit. After we got him trimmed, he stood significantly better with his hind legs straight underneath instead of bowed like a scoop shovel. Even walking, he did better on the way to the indoor arena for some leisure time in the sand. On the way, he did slip a little on the ice, but both back legs slid at the same time and only a short distance before he was able to regain his balance. It did not seem to bother him at all. When in the arena, he didn’t want to lay down and roll. He got playful and was picking up blocks of wood and boards and strewed them where he wanted them. He even dragged a board a short distance and played with the door handle on the west walk through door. Rock is a happy camper again!