Before & After Photos - Case Studies
AKC Miniature Schnauzers
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Before & After Hoofwork
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These are general before and after pictures. Most of these, we were not able to follow through due to owners not staying on our schedule but you can get a general idea of our work.
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Check back often for updates and new photos.
Notice how much better the hooves look even before the second trim. Many times, all it takes is a consistant schedule to bring most hooves back into decent shape and good condition.
Basic neglect. It had been several months since these hooves have been done. They still aren't perfect after one trim but they will get better each time.
The pony above is very overweight and has been diagnosed with Thyroid problems and "Founder".
The hooves above are from a mule with "Founder". This mule must be trimmed every 6 weeks or the feet will return to their original shape within a short time. The "first trim" photos were actually the second trim because we did not have our camera with us. When Josh first saw this mule, it had not been outside in over 6 months because it couldn't walk. After he was done with the first trim, she was out trotting in the field with the other animals.
The hooves above are on a small donkey. This is lack of basic care over a long time with no turn out to allow the animal to even break off the length on it's own. It will take several months to get the feet back into a nice shape and if the internal structures of the hoof are damaged, it will always grow in a wierd shape.
Above is a Quarter Horse mare. She has nothing wrong with her feet other than being too long and not on a regular farrier schedule. She was not lame when we saw her but she obviously was not moving very fluidly. In the "before" photos, we've pointed out the stress rings being caused by the long toe. When there is excessive growth or flaring, it puts upward pressure on the toe or flare every time the horse steps. This stress causes stress rings, and if not addressed may start to tear the sensitive laminae in the hoof and can cause a laminitic condition. In the "after" photos, you can see the purple bruising in the hoof, caused by the stress of the overgrown toe. This occurs in all horses that are left to grow too long. However, you usually can't see it on a horse with black hooves. Do a quick test: Place the edge of a fingernail on a hard surface and very slowly put pressure on it. You can easily see a spot somewhere in the middle of your fingernail that it changes colors (it should turn pink/red). That is a stress point and that is the same as your horse having long toes/flares. Unless you really push it, it doesn't really hurt but you can feel a definite pressure. However, if you had to leave your fingernail like that for weeks at a time, it would cause pressure and bruising and your fingernail would probably start to grow funny.
The above horse is crooked throughout the entire leg. Whether from genetics, lack of care as a youngster or a combination of the two, there is nothing that can be done to straighten out the leg now without putting a tremendous amout of stress on the joints. Because of the crookedness of the leg, this horse will always have problems with the hoof developing flares and other stress related abnormalitiies. She will probably also develop arthritis in her joints at a much earlier age than the average horse. Many farriers will try to straighten the leg for cosmetic purposes which is more detrimental than leaving her crooked. Josh levels the hoof for the leg that it sits on and just tries to make sure that they are landing flat when they walk and are comfortable.
This is a foundered miniature donkey. The founder occured a while ago but she had not had her feet trimmed in about 6 months. Happily, she is now on a consistant schedule and they will never look like that again.
This is a foundered miniature horse. The founder occured a while ago but she had not had her feet trimmed in about 6 months. Happily, she is now on a consistant schedule and they will never look like that again.
