While I was in Missoula running errands today, Alayne was busy with our farrier, Rich Boyle, who had come out to trim the horses' hooves. One of our blind horses, Rosie, has always had very thin soles on her feet, which can make her ouchy. The first time we saw her like this, a few years ago right after she arrived, we thought she was developing laminitis, but it turned out to be chronically thin soles. We found that the only thing that works for her is to put shoes on with a protective pad underneath. She does fine during the winter on snow without them, but once spring rolls around, it's time to get her shoes on.
In the photo above that Alayne took this morning, Rich is sizing a horseshoe to get the right fit. You can see Rosie is patiently standing there while he checks the fitting.
And here she is right after Rich has finished shoeing her:
That's a look that says, "Thanks for the new shoes, now can I get back to my breakfast?"
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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Still No. 3 -- please keep voting!
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A side note: Our main Web site at rollingdogranch.org was down from Tuesday evening through Wednesday night because of a server problem at our Web hosting company, and we heard from a lot of folks who were trying to access the blog via our Web site. The blog is actually hosted by a different company, TypePad, and you can always access it directly at http://rollingdogranch.typepad.com/ if our main Web site is down. So you might want to bookmark that link for future reference.
Ahhh....definiately a happy look on Rosie's face!
Thanks for the great shoe job Rich! Hope we get to see your smile next time you visit the ranch. : )
Posted by: boundforglory | May 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM
"Are you gelin'?" I hope your ouchy feet feel better.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 25, 2009 at 08:24 PM
Happy Memorial Day, Steve and Alayne. Remembering all of the loved ones that have scampered and trotted across the Rainbow Bridge ahead of us.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | May 25, 2009 at 07:30 AM
We have a horse that had this problem too, and started giving him HoofPower, and you can see the line of stronger hoof growth. He hasn't had to have shoes for a couple years now. I wonder if they would donate the product to you!!
Posted by: Diane Borden | May 24, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Ah, new spring shoes. What all girls want! Rosie is a beauty!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | May 22, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Well it sure is nice to meet you Rosie !! I don't recall knowing you before now. Glad you got your new shoes for the new season. Enjoy the pasture this weekend !! Say hello to Roy for me if you "see" him.
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Posted by: Lynn | May 22, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I'm sure the new shoes are the latest in horse shoe spring/summer fashion. Only the best for Rosie.
I'm voting every day at the shelter challange website.
Posted by: Lynda | May 22, 2009 at 12:49 PM
A horse story! Yea. Thank you. Now how are those cute goats and the kitty cats doing?
Posted by: Miranda | May 22, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I'm so glad your weather is finally warmer so the animals can get outside. I sure it makes them feel good. How is Callie? We haven't heard anything for a while and I'm concerned her inner ear problem isn't getting better. Is she doing OK? Enjoy the holiday weekend everyone but please vote every day! It takes less than a minute.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | May 22, 2009 at 08:44 AM
What a lucky girl - all girls love new shoes! And how relieved she must be to walk and run without pain.
I love seeing spring coming to your part of the world; we are gradually slipping into winter here - no snow, but nightly frost makes getting up for work and school a very painful experience!!
Posted by: bregda | May 22, 2009 at 02:40 AM