My experiment with the easy boot gloves is working well. To give 'Mr F's feet some relieve from the damp ground (it isn't muddy as such but just moist) I make a dressing in the evening before putting on the easy boots.
The dressing goes as follows: two layers of cotton wool (off the roll) applied to the sole of his boot, Then a sandwich bag (it doesn't have to be thick plastic, it just needs to keep the wet out) is pulled over the hoof which is fastened into place with vet wrap, making sure not to wrap too tightly. I wrap it just above the coronary band before 'sticking' the entire hoof into the easy boot glove. All the while 'Mr F' is patiently resting his leg on my thigh, not moving an inch so I can calmly use both hands to fiddle with all the utentsils.
Once the hoof is properly inside the hoof boot, I ask 'Mr F' to put his foot down and stand with his weight on the leg I just dressed. Now I can check if it is all in place. If all is as required, I wrap a little more cotton around his pastern just to help regulating moisture coming from the skin before pulling up the sandwich bag. Here too I loosely wrap some vet wrap around the pastern, making really sure it is lose and then I just gently press it into place around his pastern with my hands. Now I can finish fastening the hoof boot, tuck away any surplus sandwich bag material and we are set for the night.
It works well and he doesn't appear to have troubles walking and there is no extra heat building up anywhere in his legs.
'Mr F' was a star this morning: after we both had breakfast, I was taking off his over night dressing. I had forgotten about the refuse collecting lorry that turns its vehicle at the crossing where the gate to the field is and where we usually hang around. The other two, 'Kitten' and 'Tolka' were standing near the gate (being fed up of me telling them to hop off while we have breakfast as I don't want 3 mouths in my cereal bowl!). There was some loud rattling sounds coming for the refuse lorry and both 'Kitten' and 'Tolka' made off down the field in an over dramatised manner. 'Mr F' was just wanting to follow but in the last second remembered where his leg was: resting on my thigh and that means : 'DO NOT MOVE'. And he didn't move, not even while the others ran off. Although he did look at me kind of 'am I going to be alright? These guys are frightened of that loud noise, I trust you that I will be alright, OK?' I thanked him for not having moved as it would have meant me cleaning his entire hoof before applying the protective paste for the daytime hours.
His new saddle should arrive tomorrow ... although we don't yet have stirrups. I shall see if it fits and how he gets on with it. Will take him out for a test ride. It's no big deal if it doesn't fit as it looks like a great quality saddle which I won at a bargain price due to the seller not being able to state the manufacturer. Although we do think it is an old version of a Barefoot saddle, and the newer models go for over £600 (way out of my budget!)
And on the food side: 'Mr F' and I have found a new snack we both like -
Pumpkin seeds (I have recently developed a craving for these ):
"A good source of zinc which is vital in warding off osteoporosis. They contain L-tryptophan which is linked to lowering and combating depression as well as contains phosphorus, magnese, iron and copper. They are also a great source of plant based omega-3s"
Sunflower kernels
"rich in Vitamin E which has anti-inflammatory effects that may help combat the effects of osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis and may reduce the frequency of hot flushes" Well the latter is no worry for 'Mr F' and I pay no attention to those 'womanly' things.
'Mr F' is very keen on both seeds and picks them over the carrots even.
Still, I yet have to make a decision as to where he is going to spend winter. In the end all that I am concerned with is to give him the setting he requires to keep being healthy. He can't do it himself.
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