Okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Farrier has come and gone. Now if I could just get the smell out of my nose. Don't know what is worse the hoof trimmings or the pine tar based dressing she used. The smell of the pine tar brought me back to childhood, smells just like the stuff Aunt Pearl used on chicks to keep them from pecking each other. That's 45+ years ago.
The farrier-- Business name: Medicine Wheel, the lady's name was Napi or Na-api. Don't know about the American indian spelling. A Lakota Sioux indian, originnaly from SD, then Montanna, then Europe. Returned to the USA in the 90s, came to La. working to rescue horses from the aftermaths of hurricanes katrina and rita. What I can say is she was/is a very unique individual. She was described to me as a "trick". A tough woman that could whup any body. Well I ain't ready to admit she could a whupped me, but I know it would have took all day to whup her. I ain't kiddin. Walked right up to Cody, spoke some sort of incantation, blew in his nose, and he stood mesmerized. She was a gifted gentle person with Cody.
She agreed with youse guy's diagnoses, Cody may have been uncomfortable, and in some pain, but the hoofs were basicly sound. Overgrown but sound. She trimmed a good bit off, but said she was not taking it as far down as normal until Cody's tendons could relax. She advised that it would take a year or more for the crackes to grow out and that it may be a couple visits before she gets his hoofs where they should be. Once again she repeated the instructions recieved here, go slow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She watched him walk before and after, took allot of time with me, explained the parts of the hoof and their functions. Pastern, coronet, frog, explained about posture. How the horse was suppose to support himself. She also said that Cody resting that right rear was probably just Cody. Second visit is scheduled for Feb.17th.
She has already called to make sure Cody was walking better. Questioned me about worming, his vacs and Coggins. Also told me to call her if any question came up, whether it was hoof related or not. She also agreed that Cody was about 4 years old, but like me said he might be an OLD 4 year old. She also walked him around, showed me how I was to make him back up, which he readily did for her. Said that some one had spent sometime training him.
Any how I feel that it was a positive experience, I learned some, and Cody is much more comfortable. Cost was $40.
