Veggie's past to present

I had the opportunity to put on a clinic at the stable where Veggie resided since he was 2 yrs old up until he came to me. It was put on by the barn manager who brought him to my place with the help of a couple other participants.

As I drove down the long driveway to get to the barn...there was a fair sized field with a bunch of horses out in the snow. I could see some pain poses right from my car and my heart sank a bit. It was almost time to be brought back in so the horses were out of hay and began to run. Some ran at others with ears pinned back...some just ran the fence line. They all knew that their hungry tummies would have the next hit inside and the time was near.

...anyhow...I was there for some people who were interested in this whole barefoot and natural approach, so I focus on them. Some lucky horses were already living out 24/7 in a smaller turnout around the back. They had a shelter and some trees and a bit of a straight place to go for a run. It was a good start...and with all the latest snow we have had...it was a clean and white place to stand on.

In the morning before I left I had taken some video of Vegas in the field with the boys. I showed everyone this and because they knew him before they really SEEN how well he was. One girl cried with joy to see him so happy.

She was his groom for a year or more (because he was a competitive/trained barrel horse$) and remenisced a bit about his history. Another young girl who used to ride him talked a bit to us also and about his past. The temperament he had (not good) and the shoes they were advised and tried to use to make him better. Knowing Vegas now...I realized just how far he has really come in 6 months and a wee bit.

Here are pictures of TWO such shoes. These are for the same horse...just at a different time.

This one below I call "INSTANT HEEL PAIN". Now how on earth it steel poking up into the frog supposed to 'support' and build a new stronger frog????? I don't get the reasoning behind this ancient approach. It's like a contraption from the dark ages.

In contrast...at least NOW he is popping out snow divots from his little feet. :) !!!!!!!!!!

6 months in Recovery..Magic Mark

The 6th month magic

It’s been 6 months since Veggie arrived. It’s been interesting all along to watch him become a contented spiritual being…he was not only in ‘rehab’ to build a better foot and body…but also a better mind. To take time to get in touch with his inner horse.

He has lost a few full frogs and grew new ones and lost them and grew another. Shedding baby frogs and building new, a little more mature, baby frogs.

He blew a few nasty abscesses that were sub solar for many months or years.

He needed to learn how to act and interact with a real herd of horses…complete with order. He needed to swallow some fear and hold his reactions and feel good about where he belongs and what part he brings to the herd. He made true friends and strong healthy relationships for the first time in his life. He played and ‘wrestled’ like a real boy.

Vegas...aka Veggie...aka 'Vegetable' (which he comes to and answers to IF you say it in his special way) :)

He's come a loooong way baby...in so many ways too.

This first picture below is the picture that convinced my soul to take him on. His face was so sad and shut down. He was in pain from fighting conventional treatments of shoes, stalls and drugs, acted out with bad behavior and a history of being a 'stallion' so was also a 'shut in'.

I knew all this going in...but I was sure he would change...everyone can change.

Next to this...a picture with my young son who goes to get him to groom and 'love' him sometimes. Try to look through the Canadian winter coat to see his health and happiness

and contentment (peace).

His feet have taken on a massive change most recently. From being locked in braces for so many of his formidable early growing years...at 5 yrs old...he still had the feet of an 18 month old horse. Not a healthy 18 months old either. I think now he is having the feet of a 4 year old and he is coming 6 this spring...a birthday that he would not have seen had I not taken him.

Nick likes to watch him get well and fails to understand how horses end up like this in the first place. He gets angry and frustrated at shoes and vets and farriers...but I try to keep the peace by telling him that it's a global thought process that needs to be (and IS) changing. Slowly, and because of horses like Vegetable...people will take notice and when the people know what to do and how to do it...the vets and farriers must sit up and take notice too...and that's how things will change.

Veggie has changed so much in his personality, that I'm sure those who knew him before would not recognize him now. They are always welcome to come and see him of course!! (hint hint)

In the pictures below, Nick is cleaning his feet and marvelling at how they have changed since he last looked at them...and beside is Vegas and Beta at the winter round bale and Jet and Rico sleeping in the snow. Beta and Veggie have this friendship with an understanding. When they first met there was a LOT of diagreement and discussions (read war wounds) on who would run the sho

I know people want to see more 'feet' pics...but that's only a part of his story.

His feet started to mature from formerly clamped 2 year old feet…and now are at probably a 3 or 4 year old practically over night. The great crack open has begun. Things are growing in a healthy way and it's great to see.

Here is some pics to look at for starters. I'm going to get some more x rays soon too.

Next blog...I visited the stable in which Vegas was at for age 2 to 5. Stay tuned...