Rose is an American Paint now 5 years and displays the classic conformation of the breed. She has only ever been shod on the fronts. Between March 08 and Nov 08 Rose became bilaterally lame, resulting in periods of rest between regular visits to the veterinary surgery and receiving traditional farrier balancing. She was nerve blocked, diagnosed as 3/10 right forelimb lameness but it continued to be evident that Rose was unsound in both front limbs. She received platelet enriched plasma injections to collateral ligaments, was box rested for a month and then attempts were made to address her conformation by using shoes with medial extensions. Rose's conformation is typical of her breeding and she has slightly toe out fetlock valgus forelimbs - outward rotation of pasterns. Rose remained lame, dull in herself and constantly losing her shoes, even though over reach boots were used. My insurance had run out so far as this treatment was concerned and I felt we had not progressed any further. I was feeling desperate and let down.
 
I contacted Lindsay who took Rose's case details and confirmed that from an AEP perspective that she had not been balanced to promote health and attempts to change her conformation was also impacting on her whole body.
 
Rose also had fungal infection in her frogs, her heels were very under run, particularly her right front and she had various cracks and splits in her hoof wall. When standing she appeared to be avoiding weighting her heels and reacted to the gauged hoof tester placed to test the navicular apparatus. She was very lame on both reins and we had to stop assessing her lameness as it was clear her discomfort was too high to continue. Her Spectrum of Usability was a 2.5.
 
I felt pretty desperate by now. After discussions with Lindsay we formulated a program of recovery for Rose. This involved clean traxing and using the Hoof Wear. After a short period of rest Rose began to improve so we started light ground work and gradually progressed onto ridden work using the school including cantering and western style stops, turns and light pole work. Rose also received physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment and homeopathy. Gradually as internal health and balance returned to Rose's hooves she became sounder and her posture improved.

We commenced full western ridden work and in the summer of 2009 at our first Western Show we were placed 1st in four separate classes for ridden, in hand and showing.
 
Rose has been in virtually consistent work from that time. I think the photos speak for themselves. 
CLAUDINE WITH ROSE