9/06/2008

A note from the DOR

Hello, it is me the DOR aka Syndi. I would like to thank everyone who reads this blog, it is so fun to share Jack's adventures training me with all of you.
In my life with horses I have encountered some wonderful and caring people. I would like to tell you about one of them. You have read about our 'ubber farrier' in Jack's posts. But there is more to this man than Jack has shared. His dedication to his caft is nothing short of amazing. He truly loves helping horses by taking good care of their feet. He also knows there are times when there is nothing that can be done and a horse needs to be let go.
I thought we had reached that point with Harley and our farrier knew that. He has worked with Harley for the past year and brought him from a horse that could hardly walk to a horse that walks the legs off of trotting horses, who trots and lopes (even though it isn't pretty), who bucks and enjoys life. We had reached the point where even though Harley was better, he was never going to fully recover. I talked about it with the farrier and he understood the decision and wished there was more he could do. Luckily for me and Harley this man did more than wish. He decided to do more research, to see what he could change with his trims to help Harley-he went looking for hope. He studied DVDs, read more material and has come up with a new plan. We should know after three trims if it is going to work or not. I am thrilled that Harley has another chance to get healthy, he is one of the nicest horses I have been around. There are not many individuals who take what they do so personally, who are willing to spend their own time to search out a miracle. The process of rehabbing a horse takes a good team. I am fortunate to have one: a great vet, a great person who manages the facility where I keep my horses, the 'support crew', and the 'ubber farrier.'
The pity of the situation is that he is crippled due to humans. The AQHA promotes small hooves, horses are broke to ride to young, used in high impact activities to soon and too much, and they don't receive proper farrier care. I encourage people to wait to ride their horses until they are at least three, make sure they have proper hoof care the moment they are born, and limit the hammering/high impact activities that you subject your horse to.
Here is a picture of Harley Darling, he is a lovely boy. Please send your good thoughts that the new approach the farrier is taking will work, thank you.
Here is a big thank you to our 'ubber farrier', no matter how this turns out you are the BEST!
Have a good day, hug your horses, and always tell them they are the most wonderful horse you know and how much you love them. Also remeber to let the people who support your love of horses how special they are.

8 comments:

Amanda said...

Syndi if anyone can accomplish this, Doug can!! That man ROCKS!!
I am so excited for you, Harley, and Doug. What will I do without him when we move? BOOHOO!! He told me if I would rasp Annies hoofs every two weeks she would be fine but I will sure miss him.

Pony Girl said...

Yes, I have seen AQHA halter horse hooves and they look way too small to support those horses.
Sounds like you found a great farrier to help your harley.
I really like your blog template, where'd you find it?

Cheryl Ann said...

Syndi, I want to wish you the best of luck with Harley. He is a very pretty horse. Wow, your ferrier is a wonderful man! You are right. Not everybody would go that "extra mile".

Cactus Jack Splash said...

amanda,
How right you are Doug is the best around. Maybe you can get him to come up once in a while just to keep he feet on track.

pony girl,
I found the template just doing a search for blog templates. I found this site http://www.infocreek.com/webdesign/freewordpressthemes that had some interesting templates. Harley's hooves were in a 0 shoe when I got him last August, it has taken this long just to get them to spread out some...not sure if they will ever be normal though.

cheryl,
Thanks, Harley is a pretty guy and he is as sweet as he is good looking. He has quite the personality, he loves to have fun. He enjoys life and loves people. Our farrier will go the extra mile, but he also knows when the mile is over which in nice.

Amanda said...

You are right about Doug knowing when the time let go comes. He told me that I did the right thing with our beautiful Samba. I think it is a terrible thing to breed a huge horse with no feet. Bless her heart she was only 8 years old when she had to leave for the Bridge. I love QH's but I hate some of the what has happened to them.

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Amanda,
Samba is a horse that you will carry in your heart forever. She was a lucky girl to have landed in your care for her final days. No one could have done more, cared more, or loved her more than you did.
Seeing them out is hard, you saw her out with dignity wich is the greatest final gift we can give to the animals in our care.
I love you sweetie!

Rambling Woods said...

Poor Harley..I hope it works. My sis is a vet and horse owner and her first hubby was a farrier...Some stupid humans that did that to the horse...

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Glad you got a farrier to work with you and Harley. Hubby has been a farrier for over 30 yrs..and he's always believed QH have had their 'foundation' taken out from under them.
The other issue..taking care of their feet from day one! MOST people don't do that!! Without a good solid foundation, you can't build a good solid horse!
(which of your posts will tell me what you've been dealing with regarding his feet?)
Be glad you have a good farrier!
Hubby worked with Vets there (L Whitlatch for one, do you know him? ).. and in Okanogan, AZ and WSU vets..it makes a world of difference..putting all heads together to come up with solutions to problems..yet I have to tell you, DOR,there are plenty of horse owners out there that don't want to take the time or the expense to help their horse! It's sad.
That is a huge reason he quit shoeing in AZ and came back here...Good luck to all of you!

 

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