Day 25 – Oct 28, 2012 — Saving “The Mighty” Quinn

It’s only been 25 days since Quinn walked into Lane Moore’s life and already the results are encouraging. Lane removed the first cast from Quinn’s front hooves and performed another balanced trim, using the hoof trimming protocol method.

Photo by Terri Mason
Photo by Terri Mason

Close up of Quinn’s right front hoof. Notice how much the hoof has grown down in 25 days. Also see that the hoof wall has rejoined at the top near the hairline and is growing together. Quinn has been fed a healthy measure of soaked beet pulp every morning, free choice mineral supplements (Lane has a custom blend he gets mixed and bagged at the feed store) and good quality hay. Note: The brown/black colouring on his coronet (coronary) band at the top of his hoof is residue from the first cast. The cast is applied below the band; it does not touch it.

Photo by Terri Mason
Photo by Terri Mason

Quinn’s right front hoof. Now that his hoof is balanced you will see that the hairline will straighten and become parallel with the bottom of the hoof; notice how the hairline is already beginning to straighten out. Lane Moore had marked the top of the crack with a felt pen to make it easier to see how much the hoof had grown.

Photo by Terri Mason
Photo by Terri Mason

Lane beginning the process of casting Quinn’s right front hoof for the second time. A piece of gauze was drenched in Tea Tree Oil and stuffed into the massive crack down the front of the hoof. Both sides of the frog were then filled with generous daubs of Magic Cushion. (This product is used extensively in the race horse industry in the U.S.; the farriers put it under the pads when they shoe to help take out inflammation from the Thoroughbred’s soles. It’s made from the resin of Larch trees and it is literally sold by the ton.) Lane uses this product when gluing on boots or applying a cast; it prevents thrush from developing.
Applying the cast is a time-sensitive operation; the moment you open the package it begins to cure and harden.

Photo by Terri Mason
Photo by Terri Mason

The first cast was removed and the hoof was given another balanced trim. The old cracks were cleaned out and drenched with Tea Tree oil to kill the bacteria; the hoof was packed with Magic Cushion and the new cast was applied. Again, the brown residue up by his coronet (coronary) band is residue from the first cast. This photo was taken before the new cast was applied.