Thank you Martha,
I think today I will just go over things with apprentice and maybe do light rasping and we can work on getting the photos ... I can take them ... I just cannot be bending over trying to hold up feet and so forth. Then I will try to be sure to have all the proper images in place this week for Lavinia's input. Apprentice lives just a minute or two down the road and I think she is going to end up being very helpful to us. Not just with Sparkles ... but also Meg (our metabolic Morgan X).
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Jen and Sparkles in New England 2022
CaseHistory@ECIR.groups.io | Album
Sparkles Case History

Hi Jen,
I’m glad to learn that your local ‘apprentice’ will be working with you.  That would have been my suggestion as they understand they have a lot to learn.  It would be ideal if you had Lavinia’s input before she began to trim but I understand your fragility at this point.  Would it be possible to hire the apprentice to help you get the photos you need?  
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Hi Jen. the dry, peeling hoof wall is actually called periople and is a normal finding. Typically, we see this mostly at the upper 1/3 of the hoof wall. its function is to flex slightly and provide a  transition space for the new tubules to harden as they make their way down the hoof wall. Sort of what your cuticle does for the nail growing out of the nail bed until it hardens into your nail. I guess you could call it "hoof cuticle" But its officially called "periople". You don't need to do anything with it, just let it be, its normal. As Sparkles trim and feet improve the periople might not be as obvious and that's ok too :) 
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Trisha DePietro
Aug 2018
NH
Dolly and Hope's Case Histories
Dolly's Photos 
Hope's Photos 
Primary Responder

Thanks Sherry,
I'm working through a concussion and bruised ribs right now ... I will attempt to get a better album photos when those issues resolve.
RE taking off heel, are the images I posted today enough info for anyone to advise more re Dr Kellons suggestion on taking off a little heel at a time? The person who will be doing this is a young apprentice just now learning about these issues. The last time farrier trimmed and took off more heel than usual, pony was more sore for a while and I am trying to avoid this.
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Jen and Sparkles in New England 2022
CaseHistory@ECIR.groups.io | Album
Sparkles Case History

HOOVES I have uploaded some images from yesterday and was wondering if you can take a peek. I am wondering about a couple of things. 1. does anyone have any ideas as to what the peeling/scaliness is? 2. Are the deeper vertical(ish) grooves from rasping ... or something else? 3. On the right front there is an oblong eye shaped mark (I circled in red). Anyone know what this is?

THE COLD The cold has been brutal this past winter and is clearly the biggest trigger for discomfort in Sparkles. For a couple of weeks it had been getting nice and warm and Sparkles feeling great! Really "rearing" to go. She stands up a lot when excited! The silly cold came back and yesterday she was trembling even when bundled up. Stiff walking, holding feet and sometimes legs up etc. Should I keep her in on these days ... Also, as I mentioned, she likes to rear and stand when excited. I worry she is going to hurt her hinds. Should I worry or no?

TURNOUT For now when I turn Sparkles out, she is in our front area which is about 20 by 60 or so and it has a partial track. I can give her more track and in time let her with the herd. My concern is she gets very excited when she is feeling good or when it is the least bit windy and gets the zoomies like no other! How long should I continue with limited turnout?
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Jen and Sparkles in New England 2022
CaseHistory@ECIR.groups.io | Album
Sparkles Case History