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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Finding the bars

No baby yet, he is now officially overdue. I think that pregnant women should just automatically add another week to their due date, that way they won't be completely disappointed when they don't go into labor anywhere near when they think they're supposed to...

Anyway, to pass the time I've been putting together an exercise for an owner I've been working with online, the owner of this horse, who has been having a hard time seeing how the bars on her horse's feet have overgrown. After I put together some images for her (from photos snagged from an online forum), I thought you all might be interested in them too. Do you see what I see?
















If I don't respond to comments, don't hold it against me, it probably means that this kid has finally decided to come out and meet the world. Happy spring everybody!
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18 comments:

  1. Calm, Forward, StraightMarch 26, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    What are your feelings / recommendations on trimming the bars when there's not much sole to spare?

    Wishing you a speedy labor and a healthy baby!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smazourekMarch 27, 2013 at 8:26 AM

      Bar isn't sole, leaving it there won't help the sole grow. Cheryl Henderson likens it to leaving a piece of cardboard over a patch of grass- the bar will "choke-out" the sole and keep it from growing.

      AKA- two wrongs don't make a right.

      Thank you :)

      Delete
  2. MargaretMarch 27, 2013 at 12:28 AM

    I just spent the last 30 minutes perusing your blog about hoof care. So much to absorb and we are all so at the mercy of our farriers. I will be watching him VERY closely...

    and how exciting on your impending labor. I've been through it six times and it is very, very special. I look forward to hearing all about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smazourekMarch 27, 2013 at 8:29 AM

      Yup, most people are at the mercy of their farriers, that's why you need to know as much you can so you know they're doing a good job. Sadly there are a lot of farriers out there who lame more horses than they help :(

      Wow, you've been in labor six times! You are a warrior!

      Delete
  3. Grey Horse MattersMarch 27, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    Thanks for the hoof pics.

    Hope you're in labor right now and on your way to the delivery room. Waiting is so hard but it's all worth it in the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smazourekMarch 27, 2013 at 8:30 AM

      Well, as of right now I'm not in labor. He's only 4 days late...

      Delete
    2. MargaretMarch 27, 2013 at 8:50 AM

      My most beautiful baby was almost 9 pounds. She came out so plump and round. She was my third, and the whole thing was under an hour. I've had epidurals (love them) and natural (the healing was quick... but I still like epidurals :) The joy is unexplainable. I remember my first I was so scared to change the diaper - afraid I would drop/hurt him. I got over that rather quickly.

      Relax as much as you can. Enjoy. If I have any advice it is allow the nurses to take the baby out of your room so you can sleep and bring the baby back when he/she is hungry if you are breast feeding. Also BF was not the easiest of things. One would think it would be as it is natural. I gave up to soon the first time. But the other five I nursed for 6 - 10 months. (it varied) If you have any questions you can e-mail me. I listened to some really bad advice about this subject. (I know you don't know me, so you might feel strange :P ) Can't wait to hear all about it.

      Delete
  4. WolfieMarch 27, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    Love these posts! :-) Are you able to educate me on the last two pictures? These feet don't seem bad to me.... My untrained eye sees a nice shape to the hoof, sole and the bars....

    Can wait to meet your little guy! Sending positive thoughts your way that your labour is quick and easy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smazourekMarch 27, 2013 at 11:44 AM

      They aren't that bad, the second to last hoof is actually pretty nice. The last hoof isn't terrible either just contracted, if the bars were pulled back a little bit and the toes backed up that hoof should be in good shape.

      Thank you :)

      Delete
  5. UnknownMarch 27, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    That was a good post and now I know what to look for. Thanks.

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  6. ValMarch 27, 2013 at 10:21 PM

    Thank you for the very informative post. The pictures and the markings are great.

    I am sure your little person will be here before you know it!

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  7. Kristen Eleni ShellenbargerMarch 29, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    I love to dig out bars LOL--seriously. LOVE
    Good luck with baby-hope he comes quick/painless/and healthy :)
    xxoo

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  8. BrownEyed CowgirlApril 1, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    Wait until you see the pics of the feet on the horse we just picked up. He looks horrible. Inches of sole packed in and feet the size of platters. However, I'm pretty confident that once we get it all cleaned out and him trimmed down, he'll look almost normal. I'll have picks up in the day or two. :-)

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  9. heleen + rodApril 2, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    My horse always bruises under his bars when they are laid over. He's very relieved when I take them of. All my other horses have bars that maintain themselves. If they don't need those bits under their feet, why would he?

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  10. AnonymousApril 26, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  11. AnonymousMay 28, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    I have finally acquired a good hoof knife - indispensable for dealing with bars - and it has made all the difference.

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  12. BettyJune 19, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    This is helpful. Can we send you a picture of one of ours and see if it's all overgrown? We are thinking so but are just starting doing our own feet.

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