"Walkin' Wild" - Holistic Approach to Hoof Care

I had the pleasure of meeting up with a horsewoman and hoof trimmer whose holistic approach to horse care in general and hoof care in specific appealed to my intellectual and emotional desire to provide the best possible care for my horses in the rather unnatural environment that most of us must subject our backyard horses to.

Fresh in from Utah, Joanna Schwartzel immediately presents herself in a professional, knowledgeable manner with the horse's whole health and well being foremost in her concerns.

I talked with her over the phone about my concerns for Connor and the hoof problems we've been dealing with over the last few months. Earlier posts include: Rotated Coffin Bone, Connor's Abscess , Initial Diagnosis, From Laminitis to Abscesses, and Radiograph Update.Connor still has a great deal of difficulty moving around in a smaller stall cushioned with wood shavings. He is extremely reluctant to pick-up his hooves for any cleaning and medication (i.e. douse with iodine), and my concern for his prognosis has been bleak.

Joanna came right over and began to work on Connor's hooves with such passion and knowledge I felt hope spring eternal! I think Connor sensed good thinks happening, too! He was cooperative and alert.

First, watch the slide show and you will see how bad his front hooves are. The red on point of frog is blood, and dead, rotting tissue is evident all over the sole.

You will then see Joanna cleaning out the dead tissue and lowering the heel to ease pressure on the coffin bone sole area when he walks.



Right hoof, the worst one, is then soaked in a solution of apple cider vinegar. A poultice of Betadiene, Arrow Root, Golden Seed Powder, Grapefruit Seed extract, Epsom Salts, Apple Cider Vinegar, "Sore No More" (a natural herbal liniment) and "Q-Shot" (a super oxygenated antiseptic spray manufactured by Bio3X,) is pressed into the sole and wrapped in a disposable diaper (actual it's a "pull-up") and fastened with duct tape. This was left on all night.

In the morning, Joanna was over early to remove the poultice, and what a difference in Connor's hoof - you can see for yourself, and he was walking with no signs of lameness!!! Obviously, he's got a ways to go before his hoof is returned to natural state of health, but...WOW!!