> On Monday, Safi my 7yr old gelding, was diagnosed with "MILD, > mechanical laminitis"
Janine, email me privately and I'll send you my phone # again and the # of the NB farrier that I use. My TWH Santana has had hoof problems, joint problems, has foundered (mildly) in the past, etc etc. He was so bad a couple years ago I thought that he'd be done being ridden (at age 8). I switched from acupuncture (which was doing very little) to an equine massage therapist who has done wonders for him. AND I switched to the NB trimming. I too thought that my horses' feet weren't too long, and it took a bit to get used to the stubby trim they got. But they have been much happier, and the sides of Santana's feet don't "blow out" anymore, b/c he's no longer walking on his hoof wall, which he shouldn't be doing anyway. The previous farrier was constantly "repairing" Santana's hooves w/ epoxy, and he'd keep blowing the sides out. I kept wasting money on hoof supplements. Since the NB trims, no more hoof wall blowing out, no more hoof supplements. Things have really reached their peak now that I'm doing my own trims--taking down the excess w/ a rasp--every 1 1/2--2 weeks. The NB farrier comes out every 3 mos. to trim and check my work. But the regular, frequent trims have REALLY helped Santana w/ his multiple hoof/joint problems. He gaits normally now, has an incredibly BIG canter that he never had before, and is much happier being ridden. He is definitely 180 degrees from how he was 2 years ago. Robyn (I'm just down the road from you in N. Longmont)
