Last I blogged, I had just taken off America's Shoes and we were starting our adventure to barefoot world. Which lasted 9 months!
I am just going to bring some posts over from our website blog and go from there.
3/30/12
So I think this picture is a good example of where we are right now. He has only been on Dynamite for 6 months. For the past four months, we have ridden maybe a handful of times, so this is becoming natural for him. He's more balanced all over. More muscled naturally. He is shaved in the second picture because of our awesomely early....summer.
A couple of other things that changed from August to March.
Switched barns
visit from the holistic dentist
2 chiro appointments to get that SI where it should be (as well as lots of other stuff but that was the worst)
Diet change (obviously)
New Farrier and then removal of shoes
MOAR COOKIES!!!
4/10/12
I was not overwhelmingly pleased with my farrier. I feel like he tried, but barefoot was not his specialty. He helped him a lot when we first started because his feet were all screwed up.
America got a visit from his new farrier yesterday. She is a barefoot trimmer who honestly seems very promising. I am very excited for her to start working with him. She came out yesterday just for a consultation, did a tiny straightening out of his feet. One hoof was longer on the inside than the out, which was causing a strange wearing pattern on the front of his hoof and him to step wierd. The nail holes are almost gone!
She said he has nice feet, not much sole yet but she has no doubt he will soon. She measured him so that I can order some Easyboot Glove Backcountry boots for trails and such. To have, just in case. Which I prefer. You just never know, you know? Better to be prepared.
FINALLY, she is going to get his back feet better too. They are so ....awkwardly long and toey and pointy. I didn't even have to point it out either!
Best of all, America was extremely relaxed with her. He was being his goofy, America self.
So i'm thinking we are in the right direction. Happy pony is happy!
4/16/12
Got some new sneakers!
We got our new shoes in! I went with the Easyboot Backcountry's. I have to say, I am about 99% pleased with these. I forgot how difficult easyboots are to get on, but once I go it, they are great. I like the snugness of them. No rubs, no pulling them off. It's nice. The only thing I don't like, is there is a screw on the inside that rubs on his hoof. I am pretty sure I can fix that though.
We got to spend a very beautiful sunday out on the trail with one of our greatest friends. We had a blast! We haven't been able to trail ride for a few weeks because I didn't want to push it with his feet. He was a champ out there, and quite excited to go!
BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE, WE DIDN'T DO MUCH. We started with a new trainer who has helped us in more ways than I could ever repay her for.
6/11/12
America is doing quite well! We have been at it in our lessons and are preparing for a small, fun show in July. Quite excited!!!!
But healthwise, I feel like America is really on the up and up. He is filling out quite nicely and seems to prefer being exercised consistently. I invested in a thinline pad (heavensent). Though the saddle fits him quite well, I really like the extra shock absorption there.
Anywho, here is America right now! The right is August of last year. We are almost to the year mark!
6/13/12
America's feet were progressing beautifully. I will add in here, that even though they look amazing, he was still almost always lame for a week or so after his trim.
I almost forgot the progress on America's feets!!!!
I love this new farrier. This is his progress thus far (well as of a month ago)! These were taken a month after being trimmed. During that one month transition, the only hoof that didn't start the change into a rounder, more natural shape was his hind right.
Front Right is his "clubby" foot.
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