Well, I didn't mean to come across as unkind about them, but I don't think there is many situations where 1 cure for a problem fix's it in every situation. To many variables.I'm thinking the most important thing a farrier needs is an open mind:). I'm really beginning to feel sorry for horses:). They sure put up with alot of bungling on our parts.
Becky
You weren't being unkind, you were being honest.
Ok, I've got an unusual situation going on here. I got a private message on that farrier site from a Texas farrier. He said he wanted to talk to me, would I call him? I was a bit nervous about doing it but I did it anyway and I'm darn glad I did. He wouldn't post on the open forum, he thinks those farriers are a bunch of numbnuts just trying to one up each other. He had been reading my thread ever since I posted it, said I'm getting alot of misinformation. The oats and free choice hay are absolutely not a problem but he thought he knew what the problem was and in 30 years had only seen it twice. He asked me if Tuffy was always a little off, I said yes. No rotation on x-rays? Yes. He described how a horse always in a constant state of mild laminitis would move and described Tuffy to a T. He said when I posted that I gave Tuffy Strongid C is almost fell out of his chair. It's the Strongid C that's doing it. (he assured me that I would think he's crazy with this suggestion) Tuffy's immune response to the Strongid is keeping him in a constant state of mild laminitis, get him off of it and see how he's doing in thirty days. He thinks I'll have a different horse. He also said I'm fighting mother nature too much trying to fix the hoof pastern axis and to stop doing that, as well.
I'm going to follow his advice and see what happens. He's pretty close by and would like to come out and see Tuffy, no charge.