Update on Dakota's hoof

The farrier was out today and the hoof that was cut away to drain the abscess has healed up nicely. No more duct-tape boot, thank goodness!!!! He also said he sees a bit of thrush around the outer rim of her hoof. I clean them daily, but where she was, she was standing in very clay-ridden mud for a good deal of the time! There is lots of that around here. Her new paddock is MUCH drier and her feet are already better. But I'm going to treat her for a bit of thrush. It's strange, because I've had several horses over many years and never had thrush to deal with. Then again, I always treated their soles with iodine, which my vet and farrier both advised against, saying it really didn't do anything.

I'm not convinced! The farrier definitely thinks the abscess was caused by the front of her soles being a bit thrushy! So back to my old protocol.

Okay, these latest posts are so exciting, but it's been a big deal. I am greatly relieved that he has found a clear cut reason for her abscess and I feel I have a way to prevent more of them!

I feel badly, because of what I took her from. I know someone else would have bought her, and she may or may not have had a herd to be in, grass to walk on and eat. Who knows? But I'm doing my very best and hope I'm giving her a good life. For sure, she couldn't possibly be more loved, and I am very committed to doing the very best I can to do right by my little girl.