Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Chrome's Monthly Progress Report

Date: 10-19-10
Age: 17 months
Height: Chrome measured 149cm, just shy of 14.3hh.
Height Gain: Hard to say . . . see below.
Weight: Approx 765lbs.
Weight Gain: Good heavens!! Could he really have gained sixty five pounds?? He doesn't look fat to you does he?
Progress: I think the reason Chrome didn't show as much growth height-wise this month is because he got his hooves trimmed. His heels were long and getting them trimmed probably took off half an inch lol! I know bad mommy for waiting so long. They do look better although his left rear still looks like a club foot. A club foot is rare in the rear hooves, so it's weird but it's pretty obvious if you compare them. See how it's more upright with a longer heel? The farrier is going to work on it slowly, but it'll take a long time to start looking more normal and may never look normal.

I've been worrying about him because he seems to be walking with a short stride in the rear. He moves out normally with his front, but seems quick and short strided in the rear. I've been checking his legs and hooves daily and there is no heat, swelling, fluid, bumps, sores, etc. Everything looks and feels completely normal. He still gallops, bucks and plays like crazy so he doesn't appear to be in pain. I have read that a club foot is caused by contracted tendons in the rear legs so I'm wondering if that's it. That is the extent of my knowledge regarding that though so I don't know what it means for us.

Speaking of playing, Chrome and Zep have been playing too rough. Now that Chrome is so much taller than the shorty donkey Zep is biting him on the neck and chest. Chrome has welts and sores all over his neck!! I can't wait to get them gelded. I don't know when it will be though because we still haven't received my husband's temp disability money. :( I'll just keep and eye on him.

Other than that he's been doing great. His coat is turning so dark and pretty with fall coming on. They are playing constantly and feel great with the cooler temperatures. I don't remember if I mentioned that I switched him from Safechoice to a ration balancer and beet pulp. He's doing great on them. He looks absolutely fantastic.

My only complaint is that his mane is AWFUL!!!! It's all short, scraggly and dry. He keeps it completely torn out and destroyed. So much for have a hairy pony to play beauty shop on hehehe (can I borrow some mane Star???). The bits of mane that are growing in are coming in white. :) I'll have to get pictures when the weather clears up. I really want to wash and condition his mane before it gets too cold. I'm thinking of putting him on a hoof supplement because they encourage hoof and hair growth. I really love flax seed for coat and general health but I can't seem to find any. We'll see how it goes when our financial situation is back to normal.

Goals: My goals for this month are just to keep Chrome happy and healthy. I want to get his hooves trimmed, but that's about all I can plan on until we start getting a steady income again. I just want to spend time with him and enjoy him.

Also an update on my husband's back since it basically influences everything in my life right now. He had his first physical therapy today. They did the electric stimulus therapy and gave him a lot of tips and goals. He gets his first epidural steroids on Thursday and will go back to the physical therapist in a few days for another session. I think I mentioned it already but they are thinking the end of November is when he'll be able to go back to work. She's also going to try to get the doctor to prescribe pain medicine or anti inflammatory. She couldn't believe that he hadn't had anything except muscle relaxers this whole time. They also gave him a really fancy ice pack (can be used for heat too). Please keep him in your thoughts!

4 comments:

  1. "I can't wait to get them gelded."

    Do you know about Front Range Rescue's gelding reimbursement program?

    Anyone can send them a vet receipt after getting a horse gelded and get a 30% reimbursement. It's an effort to try and curb backyard breeding.
    http://www.frontrangeequinerescue.org/whatwedo.html#stopbreeder

    Not sure if they do it for donkeys as well, but it wouldn't hurt to ask! (or just send the receipt for both and see if they'll cover both.)

    We use it for our rescue and it sure helps!

    Mary

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  2. I certainly don't think he's looking fat, he looks nicely proportioned to me. Can't advise on the hooves but you sound like you have a great farrier.

    If you want a cheaper supplement that might help his skin etc. for the past year I've been using a couple of spoons of corn oil in Star's feed, the kind you get from a grocery store. I used to buy an expensive oil specifically for horses as she had very dry itchy skin and would rub quite a bit. Someone mentioned to try corn oil and I have to say it's equally as good and a fraction of the price.

    Next time I brush her mane I can always collect the bits that come out if Chrome needs extensions lol! ;D

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  3. He is looking so handsome. I am starting to be able to see the Freisian.

    My boyfriend's horse and a very bad club foot in the front, and it makes him sensitive to stones, but he is fine otherwise. I wouldn't worry about it too much. My vet says it is very common.

    Cole has a very long mane, and although it looks pretty, it keeps getting tangled in my hands when I ride.

    Thanks for the support on my dog problem. We had some training sessions, yesterday, and I almost can see light at the end of the tunnel. Cats are just so smart, and Thunder is amazing. I will blog it when I get the chance.

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  4. He looks great to me! A club foot in back, hmmm, yea I've not seen that. Laz has one in his front. My trimmer told me sometimes, not always, you can get it to 'release' but so far, not for us. Chrome is still young so maybe it will work itself out?

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