I can’t remember, but did you ever get in contact with either of those farriers that were listed on the NB site for your area? I know that you’ve kinda got a bad taste in your mouth for them right now, but I really do think that the last guy was just inexperienced and misapplied a really good shoeing protocol. And I still think you need to contact Mission Farrier School and send them pictures of his work. So does my farrier. I told him all about it and he says that they need to know that one of their graduates is lameing people’s horses so they won’t refer him anymore.
There’s one other NB farrier that I know of, and she never returned my calls... not originally, and not recently when all this started.
I have very mixed feelings about the NB protocol, you’re right. I think it might be that it was just misapplied, but I also think if the protocol would really call for taking half his foot off, or leaving his toe hanging out there, there’s something wrong. Bay’s foot was NOT becoming that shape.
If I get Bay sound again I’ll consider what to say to both Randy and his school... And I’ll have more proof behind me that it was just that application of those shoes that made him lame. Right now I just really want him fixed. The old new farrier is staunchly opposed to the NB protocol, right or wrong, so as much as I may think it has a place, I’m not going that way as long as he is involved.
Well, farrier came out and worked some hoof testers on Bay, no reaction, I think maybe he was suspecting an absess. He said he’ll come back tomorrow, trim everyone and put a wide web shoe on Bay in the front, and see if he’s not better, see if it’s just ground sensitivity. He didn’t want to watch him move or anything.
Dang... I’m just not sure I’m going to get a good diagnostic unless I have the vet out. If these shoes don’t make him feel better that’s what I’ll do.
Tomorrow it’s going to be rainy, so I’ll probably have to sweep in the morning so we can work inside. Honey, if your workload allows it, maybe tomorrow would be a good time to take the morning off, help hold horses and rig lights? Since we don’t have gates on the stalls any more, the trick will be holding the other horses ~out~ while we’re working on one.