Well I have owed an update here for a long time....

There is a lot to tell, I finally conquered the discomfort issues we were having with equi-casts and packing material. It seems the underdeveloped digital cushion was our primary problem. Had I not trimmed to Strasser methods in Apr 08, the wonderful 1" plus of heal growth I had, would have protected the digital cushion while it developed. Instead, I removed the protecting heel and the soft tissue structures in the sole were consequently bruised. After that, we were chasing our tail. Because heel will always grow, but it won't grow straight if he isn't standing and moving straight. And relieving pain in one foot meant leaning on and bruising another.

After using hoof casts for only 3-4 weeks in the winter of 2009, Cooter was back to or even better than his old self. Comparing his movement to an old 2001 video, the horse was loftier and moved and loaded his feet straighter barefoot, than with shoes. I couldn't believe it.

I believe trimming with Strasser techniques created the problem. In Apr 08, I took the rear heels down a good half an inch or more, trimmed the bars and other stuff I now know is the most wrongity-wrong things to do. A week after that inappropriate trimming, he bruised his RH so bad he would lean against the wall all day. From that point on we were chasing our tail waiting for foot to grow. Relieving discomfort in one place, meant over stressing another. I tried boots and pads, duct tape and foam - none really worked for me (I had my own health issues complicating things). It wasn't until we tried the equi-cast with medium packing material, that internal structures were given a chance to consistently heal, allowing straight movement and straight hoof grow.

I learned many things along this journey. I now know what it looks like when a horse is having pain due to his underdeveloped digital cushion. I now know I can rely on the Ramey method of measuring sole depth with out doubt. I now know bars are the emergency back up heel support for a sole that is too thin and/or a digital cushion that needs a little extra help. AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED: If a horse is quiet and suddenly becomes uncooperative while messing with his feet - you, YES YOU - are the one behaving badly - IT'S NOT THE HORSE. Listen to your horse, he's truly is the best expert you are going to find.

I'm sorry I didn't take pictures while casting; Sorry, I wasn't well enough do both the foot and pics.

Once repairing the discomfort of the bruising, the horse was his old self, running around doing "Mr. I'm too sexy" dances everywhere. Everything became easy then. My vet cleared him for easy riding, all I had to do was get my self good. Mr. Sexy works on his struts and more sole growth for several months, as I continue to work on my health. Then ...cue dramatic music....

On 24 Jun, at 29 years old, he died suddenly. It was quick, at 2am, likely an aneurysm. Fortunately, I was there (because not knowing is worse than anything). We suspect upon hearing of Brentina's retirement he was dreaming of Brentina retiring to Vermont, and well, he just couldn't keep up.... :) He's always been a sucker for red-heads.


Hope this has helped you learn what you wanted to.... best of luck with what ever journey you are on.


I have learned many lessons on this journey. My favorite one is: when confidence fails you, trust your horse. After all, when we ride or drive, isn't that what we expect of them? Seems like that should be a two way street. Non-verbal doesn't mean stupid. Every single time I was doing something wrong he told me with leg shaking or just being awkward. Had I listened we would have taken a much less painful path. Instead, I learned the hard way: suffering the failures of listening to authors and experts, over my horse - no author, no expert, no rube with a rasp, knows my horse's feet better than my horse, period. Duh. Yeah, humans are smarter my a$$. We have good features, but hubristicly thinking we are smarter is not one of them.

And now we are at the end of his story, Cooter would like to point out he won the bet. So, as the loser, I must report with pride and humility, he was right and I was wrong. Barefoot was the better path.



And if any one knows of a GP dressage horse looking for a forever retirement home drop me a line.... :)