Amazing Grace and Elmo
August 8, 2008
Steve and I met with Debbie Moore, Regional Director - Kentucky, of the United States Equine Rescue League, www.userlky.org, and her husband Harry to make the trip to Hart Co. Beautiful county, picturesque, Amish horse and buggy's all over, and gorgeous farms. As we travelled down this road, I had mentally prepared myself all day for what I was about to see. I knew that Steve had seen this sort of neglect before, and so had I to an extent...but never to this degree. When we arrived, there were dogs tied up on ropes, with filthy water at ropes length for them to drink. Ducks, chickens and cats roaming the farm. The owners wouldnt come out...but told Debbie where the pony was. We walk up to the barn and are greeted by a yearling pony colt. Running around, not sure why these strangers are in his pasture. His mane and tail are covered and matted in burrs, knots and tangles. He cant even swish flies. Even his fetocks were matted, and looked like little balls hanging off of his legs. We hear his mother knickering for him, but we dont see her. As we follow the sounds inside the old dilapidated barn, there she stood. According to Darlene, another rescue person, had been in the same place the 2 days before when she first came out and heard of this situation. So its hard to say if she had even moved. What we saw was unbelieveable. This pretty little pony mare was extremely deformed and foundered in her front hooves. Words can hardly describe what we saw. Her front left hoof was so severely turned and twisted...the hoof had grown down, then underneath, then curved off the right towards the inside of her right front leg. She was basically walking on the top of her coronet band. The right front hoof was extremely upright and long. Very narrow and tiny as well. Steve says the coffin bone is protruding some. This position her body was in was causing her shoulders to become lopsided to support herself. Both rear feet were very long and elongated, from rocking on her hinds to support herself. She seemed a bit dehydrated, as the owners had no interest in helping her journey to water everyday by bringing water in closer to her. Her skin was a bit wrinkled on her sides and looked as though she had been that way for awhile. Like her baby, her mane and tail were matted in burrs and tangles.
Steve walked around and looked at her quietly, then kneeled down to pick up her left front hoof. After determining there was still mobility in the leg and ankle, he stood up quietly and said " I think I can help her". You could have heard a pin drop while were all waiting to hear what he had to say, then after, we all sighed a huge sigh of relief. He got his tools and went to work. While we kept her baby occupied, we led her out into the open. She took careful steps, but you could tell she was used to the way she had become. The first part was to get the worst of the left front hoof off, this entailed using a hack saw to cut the first 7-9 inches off. The rest was done with nippers and a rasp. When Steve finished all 4 feet, and with the help of Harry who supported her bodily on his knee, she was standing more at an upright angle, vs. the previosly jutted out leg that helped her stay on her feet.
We wrangled her baby who had never had a halter on, and was able to give him a crash course in halter breaking and leading. He was a bit angry...but he got over it. We were able to get both Mom and baby loaded safely, and home. You wouldnt believe your eyes to see this mare practically dragging Debbie down to the trailer on her new found feed. Even though she was still crippled, she walked very briskly and with a purpose...as if to say " lets get the heck outta here!". It was a good feeling.
We named the mare Amazing Grace, because we just kept thinking how amazing her life must be. She has such a will to live and survive. And it may have been that her motherly instincts kicked in. She had to survive for her baby. But she lived in squallor, no pasture, pain on her twisted legs and hooves, no food or water, or loving care. She handled herself with a quiet grace while she was handled and trimmed. She knew we were helping her. Hence...Amazing Grace.
Elmo just looks like an Elmo...lol. We both said it at the same time, and Elmo it is.
We got them home, they have a clean stall, hay and fresh water. They both have halters on and Elmo is learning very quickly to give to the pressure. I expect he will be halter and lead broke by the end of next week. I was able to get all the burrs out of Grace's tail, and most of her mane. But in the end, I gave her a haircut, and it looks cute. Elmo has a very long, silky cream colored mane, and we were able to save all of it. As for his tail, I havent started on it yet. But its soaking in *Cowboy Magic as we speak. They seem comfortable and content. And we have found out that Grace loves treats. So comes a close, the first 24 hours of the rest of their lives....
Ann & Steve
Debbie Moore of USERL KY Chapter
Amazing Grace
Steve and Debbie prepare to give Grace some bute to help her through the trimming process.
August 11, 2008
Both Grace and Elmo are doing great! They have been introduced to a diet of oats and mineral salt over the weekend, and are really enjoying their food. Its so rewarding to hear them nickering to us at feeding times. They know they are supposed to get their share now. We turned them out yesterday in the round pen, they did lots of exploring. Elmo did his best to try to exhibit his studly qualities, but we couldnt take him seriously...lol. He inspected each and every poop pile and curled his lips after each one. He will be gelded very soon! We will have to wait a little while longer as he hasnt "dropped" yet. Grace is getting around very good, considering. She doesn't seem to let it bother her, and Im sure she is getting around better now than she has in along time. She does take lying down naps frequently and seems to be comfortable. If anything, she probably takes naps so she can rest from trying to keep an eye on Elmo! She likes to know where he is. I can see her snoozing now in the sun....and what a joy it is to see them both being able to use their tails to swish flies! :) Have a great day!
Ann
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August 13, 2008
Elmo has been coming along very nicely with learning how to lead. He has learned quickly to give in to the pressure of the lead rope. He is very curious about the days events when we are down at the barn, and seems to want to know whats going on. He is the first to stick his nose up to his stall door to greet you. He still isnt very sure about me touching all over his body, he wants to move away from me when I run my hands down his back to his tail. But Im sure with time he will get over it.
As for Grace, she has been doing well. I have been giving her a little bit of bute at night when they come in. I see that she lays down alot during the day, but at the same time she gets around so good. She is very friendly, and seems to enjoy the attention that we give her. But she doesnt like to take her bute, so she gets a treat right after. One thing of improvement I have noticed is her tail. When she first came here it was really dry, brittle and course. Since she has been eating grain and hay, Ive noticed her tail isnt as course anymore. And after only 5 days here, it is almost starting to feel silky like Elmo's. So maybe the nutrition she is starting to receive is taking effect. Today I added flax seed to both her and Elmo's ration of oats and mineral salt. Im sure that will help. Just got in some wormer medicine, so this weekend we will worm them both...Im sure they need it!
Ann
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August 14, 2008
Our ponies are very unhappy today. Most of the day yesterday I witnessed Elmo really bossing his mom around, as Grace is in heat! So, regardless of the relation, boys will be boys. Lucky for Grace (and us), she put her boy in check real fast and reprimanded him anytime with a swift kick to any of his half hearted advances. Atta girl! So, with that said, last night, they had their own stalls. They were not happy...for the first time since he was born, Im sure spent the night apart. I hated to do it, but it has to be done. I am concerned with the stress it may cause her. But we cant take any chances of unwanted pregnancy or injury. After about 30 minutes of pining for one another through the stall wall, they calmed down. Only this morning when I turned Grace out for her morning excercise it all began again. Bless her, I dont think she ate or drank a thing. So after about 4 hours of turnout, I brought her back in. Weaning is never easy on either party, even the humans! But we will try to do it slowly without too much heartache and pain for either one of them. Hopefully we can build a pen for them both so they can see each other but not nurse. Bear in mind, he is waaay over a year old, probably more close to 2 years old...and still nursing!
Ann
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August 21, 2008
Afteroon all! Wow, alot has happened since last time. I havent been able to update that because we have had computer problems. But we are up and running again :)
Grace and Elmo have been separated since last Wednesday. Needless to say, it was heartbreaking at first...and neither one was very happy. They took turns being out by themselves in the round pen till we built separate enclosures for them. Each one now has their own pen, where they can still see one another, but Elmo cant nurse. Then eventually we will start moving them farther apart. We are trying to make the transition an easy one.
Grace is getting along still very well. She is still sore, and will probably be sore for several more months, but we are optimistic. Steve decided to do her trim this weekend instead of last...so keep your fingers crossed that all goes well. She has become very social since being here. She nickers to me anytime she see's me, especially at feeding times. But its nice to hear her talking :) She is very interested in the other mares and can see them right over her fence.
Elmo is doing his best to attract the much BIGGER mares with his tiny studly appearance..lol. He talks to them alot....cant wait to get him gelded... :) He is coming along nicely with his training. He now leads, gives to pressure, backs up with me...we are still working on "Whoa..." But he definately has attitude when it comes to feeding time. He kicks! But, he is learning that Ann "kicks back". Until next time...Happy Trails!
Ann
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August 23, 2008
Grace received her second trim yesterday. She did very well and we didnt have to prop her up as much, as she was able to stand more on her own. Steve altered the angles of her hooves more this time to allow for the front to begin to grow correctly. As we add photos, we will try to use captions to describe what was done to each hoof and why. She is already showing signs of standing much straighter and more normal. Although with this last trim, it has made her sore once more..as each time pulls on those tightened tendons. So once again, she is laying down more. But the improvement on the shape of the hooves is tremendous!
We have had to string up a 3rd strand of hotwire, as Elmo continues to try his luck with the mares, who are 4 times his size! So far so good...
Have a great weekend! And please keep Grace in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
Ann
Front hooves before trimming
Front left hoof after trimming, purpose of trim was to shorten hoof, put more of solar plane level to the ground, with emphasis of weight bearing surface on distal portion of LF hoof.
Medial side of front left hoof, note remaining distorted hoof capsule of initial pathology.
Distal side of front left hoof
Bottom side of left front hoof, good depiction of change taking place to become a normal hoof again.
Medial side of RF hoof, lowered in heels, with bevel on inside of heel, to help spread the heel, with toe left to help elongate suspensory and flexor tendon.
Distal side of front right hoof
Distal side of front right hoof
Bottom side of front right hoof, coffin bone has already begun to be pulled back into position, keratinization of the sole is taking place, where before, the coffin bone was visible and protruding through the bottom of the hoof.
Back hooves
Bottom of rear right hoof, thrush is already dissipated, with concavity beginning to form.
Grace's flanks are already beginning to reform themselves from taking the pressure off her rearend. This little mare has overdeveloped muscles in her flank area and back, and atrophy in the front part of her body. Due the the "rocking back" on her heels. The right side of her body is overdeveloped from her hips to her shoulder due the right side of carrying weight for long periods of time.
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September 11, 2008
We decided to wait an extra week on trimming Grace, she will have her 3rd trim on Friday 12. So as soon as that happens, we wil post the results along with pictures. She is doing pretty good, and lays down not as much. Elmo is doing better with the weaning. We have been taking it slow, and have had to put him in the round pen during the day. He has decided he has fallen in love with our much bigger Bay mare DD (Desaree Dawn). The funny thing is, I think she kinda likes him too! lol. I hope to have pictures of them this week to post...keep checking back! :)
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September 15, 2008
Grace received her 3rd trim yesterday. We gave her some bute(pain reliever) about an hour before the trim, as we always do before we do anything to her that may be painful as a result. She was able to stand better on 3 legs while receiving her trims, with minimal help from me. Steve was able to give her a little more of the "mustang roll" this time, as is evident in the pictures. Her rear hooves were left untrimmed this time for about a week longer. We are hoping she wont be in so much pain from an overdose of trimming. But she is going really great! We are very pleased with her progress. Something we have noticed more of this last time is the difference in her back muscles and flanks. She is starting to change into more of a normal looking pony. Her back, instead of being arched upward from rocking on her hind legs so long, is dropping some. Its so exciting, because this tells us she is getting more comfortable on her front feet again. Sigh...if only her previous owners had only taken care of her. Regular trimming would have eleviated her from all of the pain she is suffering from. We have estimated that she has lived like this for almost 2 years or more. Maybe even while she was carrying Elmo. Thank God, along with Debbie and Marcia that we have her where she can be taken care of now. Make sure to take a look at the pictures above for before and after shots. If you think, it has been almost 6 weeks now. She is starting to open up her frogs on both feet. The coffin bone is sinking back in properly. There is such a change in her anatomy, it is "Amazing".
Ann :)
before trim
RF before trim RF Before Trim
LF Bottom of hoof- notice frog opening up and spreading.
LF back of front hoof angle.
RF Hoof during trim
RF Hoof bottom
RF Hoof, Steve is trying to open up the frog more on this hoof, note the darker coloring at the toe of the hoof, coffin bone is no longer protruding.
LF back of hoof - After trimming
RF back of hoof - After trimming
LF Medial side of hoof - After trimming
RF - Bottom of hoof - After trimming
LF - Bottom of hoof - After trimming
LF - Distal side of hoof - After trimming
LF - front of hoof - After trimming
LF medial side of hoof - after trimming - there is some old bruising, but is to be expected with the extremely poor condition her feet are in.
LF before trim
RF Hoof after trimming
RF Distal side of Hoof after trimming - Notice the beveling of the edge of the hoof.
RF Medial side of hoof after trimming - tell tale founder rings are starting to disappear.
The frog of the RF Hoof was cleaned out very little as not to cause any further pain that Grace might be feeling due to these trims. Steve goes very slowly with the recovery. Very little at a time, but more frequent trims than normal. 2-3 week intervals. But he did try to "open" the frogs on both feet to help the spreading process they will go through.
Grace is going through a physical change in her body and muscles as well as with her hooves. When she first came here, her back, flanks and croup were very thickly muscled, almost "sausage" like. Her back was ridge-like or roached from standing rocked back on her hind legs for so long. If you notice in the above pictures, her back is no longer straight across or arched upward, but instead is starting to develop that nice arch-downward that we are familiar with when looking at the anatomy of a horse. You might be able to tell in the previous photos of her when she first came here what the difference is. She is starting to hollow out in her flanks again as well. We hope that her shoulders will begin to develop normally as she is progressing. She is very downhill in the front, and appears to have atrophy in her shoulder muscles. Due to not using them often. She is making such a great recovery, we are so proud of her how she is handling it all.
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September 25, 2008
Elmo has found a new buddy! An 1100 lb QH named Image. Image has been on the dry paddock for the last few weeks recovering from a nasty abcess. For the last several weeks, we have had electric fence problems...it just didnt seem to get any charge, so Elmo was put in the round pen. Caught him a few times sneaking into the girls paddock ;) Since having it fixed now, Elmo is sharing Images' pen. What a sight the two of them are. They share hay, water, sometimes grain....lol. But I think when it comes to fly swishing, Image is getting the raw end of the deal! Elmo sneaks up behind Image and lets him swish ALL the flies off his body in one big swoosh. And you can almost see the contentment in his eyes as he just stands there and snoozes, letting Image do all the work..lol.
October 2, 2008
I have such great news today! I brought Grace in last night to stay in the barn...when I turned her out this morning, she trotted 3 strides! I honestly wasnt sure when we would see that, but didnt expect it at all this soon. With the weather being cooler, either she feels good, or is warming up...but she trotted! And walked pretty fast too. You can imagine how great that was to see. She was practically dragging me out to her paddock.
Please keep all your prayers coming for this little girl, I think it is helping :)
October 15, 2008
Hey everyone, I do have pictures from Grace's last trim which was on October 5th. Sorry I havent posted them yet, with the construction of our house, life has been really busy here. I do plan to have them online within the week, so please check back. :)
With the last trim, Steve only took more heel and left the toe this time. And as Im sure you can all imagine, she has been really sore again. She has been a trooper, and I hate seeing her in pain, but one of these days, I truly feel she is going to get better. I am going to start her on Equine Science's Natural Bute, I dont like the idea of keeping her on the real stuff so much. So hopefully she will do well on this, and I will let you guys know how that goes.
Both ponies are getting their winter hair in, and Elmo has become a roan with good nutrition. He's such a cutie...a brat, but still a cutie. We had to put Image back in with the boys on the hill, I was afraid Elmo wasnt getting his fair share of the hay with 1100lb Image around :) Then as luck would have it, our Appy, Brio, came up with an abcess as well! I know what you are thinking, "well, new friend for Elmo". But, I think Brio had other thoughts on that. He didnt take to well to Elmo....and I dont think Elmo made a very good first impression either. So, instead of having Elmo sent to the moon by Brio....they each have their own paddock for the time being. Who knows, maybe Ill bring Image back down...
October 21, 2008
Elmo received his first trim the other day. I have been working with his legs and feet picking them up. He did ....ok...lol. Front feet were fine, the backs he didnt quite like. But he will be better next time Im sure... :) And more good news, Grace trotted again today. So, that means her soreness from the last trim has subsided some. She is due for another trim this sunday, but we may wait til the 4th week this time for her. The trims are hard on her tendons each time. So we will just have to see.
November 2, 2008
Quick Update...
Grace drug me from the paddock to the barn at the fastest running trot Ive seen her do!! She seems to be pain free at the moment, although she still has more recovery to go through. She is scheduled for her next trim on November 8th.
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November 15, 2008
Grace got her 4th trim on Sunday the 8th. Sorry I havent posted pictures until now, (house building calls)....Anyway, just took some pics today. When she was trimmed, she was very cooperative, stood pretty good. No bute, or herbal bute after the trim. She seems to be getting around really good after this last trim. She has become quicker on her feet which is good for her, but bad for me! Im really excited to see the change in that left front. She has more of a flat and normal surface going on where the curve is growing out. On the front right, you can see at the top of the coronet band, the hoof is coming in wider than what it has been. Thats great to see. That hoof is going to take more time to rehabilitate more than the left. Also there is a significant widening of the heels and frogs.
Elmo and Image
Grace - Enjoying the sun...
Front left hoof Note the widening of heel and frog of this hoof
Front right hoof Although widening of this hoof is slower, there is a change in pathology on this one, the hoof is widening from the top.
Lets do a recap here....
Before.... First Trim Second Trim
Third Trim Fourth Trim
November 24, 08
I was cleaning stalls today and let Grace out to just roam around the barnyard as I was cleaning hers. When I got to Elmo, I brought him out and took him to the round pen to get some exercise. When Grace saw me with him leading him away, she took off trotting towards us and trotted a long way! After putting Elmo in the round pen, I took Grace for a walk. We went to the creek, up a little hill and around the house and back. When we got back, her little legs were shaky. Im sure that is the longest she has walked in ages. So, with that said, I will begin to take her for short walks to build her stamina, and get the blood flowing to those hooves. She was more than willing though...Im just so glad that she hasn't displayed any signs of soreness since this last trim. A sure sign she is on her way :)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Ann and Steve
January 4, 2009
Happy New Year everyone! Wow, Christmas has come and gone, and the new year is upon us...I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. We sure have been busy around here, our house is coming along, and so is Grace and Elmo! :) Gracie has had her 5th trim in the last couple of weeks, and I have pictures! She is doing great. With each trim, she moves around much better, trots even more all the time, and I feel confident that by summer we will see her cantering around the field. Her hooves are on the mend, and you can see sooo much spreading of the heels and the one distorted left front hoof is really starting to right itself. She still gets her walks around the farm and has just generally a great overall atitude right now.
Elmo has been recently turned in the with the big boys! And does he ever think he is a "big boy" too! He doesnt know he is little...lol. He is sharing a pasture with Cisco, Image and Yizzy. The two older boys keep Cisco and Elmo in check, as 2 year old boys will be boys. Something that we get a good laugh at is the fact that Elmo will come up behind the bigger horses and bite them on the butts, back legs, tails..etc...when they turn around like they are going to do something, he takes off as fast as he can...only to turn around and do it again. He sure is a stinker. But they seem to like him alright, and we keep close tabs on everyone's behavior. In no way would we endanger the little guy if we thought he was in trouble. So enjoy the photos and remember to keep them in your prayers :)
Ann and Steve
RF Hoof - pictures/captions shown left to right... Some things we have noticed in this foot are the growth rings at the top. The hoof is coming in wider at the coronet band, the 3rd photo shows the heel and frog is coming closer to the ground. The frogs are still widening, and the tell tale hole where the coffin bone protruded is still filling in.
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LF Hoof - Photos/Captions from Left to Right...the inside/medial side of the front left hoof is still drawing itself downward to become even with the outer/distal side of the hoof. Growth is evident here. The bottom of the hoof is level and flat, and notice the frogs, how much they have grown back in and look healthier! She does have old bruising that is showing up underneath the freshly trimmed hoof wall. Which in her case is very normal. No trimming of the back hooves were done at this time, to allow ease of transition of the trimming.
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