Peakstones Farriers

04/03/2023

The Basic Foot Trim.

04/03/2023

An interesting evening on the future of Farriery hosted by some the best farriers in the profession ! CPD points gained ! Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make for any profession/practice . Many thanks to all the farriers who contributed.

24/11/2022

An informative evening hosted by Agnew Equine .

Some very interesting talks on both abscess lame equines followed up by a talk on hind foot hoof conformation and lameness !

Thanks to Arnie and Robin and the rest of the team for a great CPD evening !

02/01/2021

Okay Folks it’s been a while since my last post I hope we all had a happy and healthy Xmas and new year ? Considering the circumstances ! The last 10 months have affected us all in many ways.

First of all a big thank you to all my clients old and new for playing there part in allowing Covid safe work to continue legally let’s keep up the good work !

One of the most complex cases I have had to work with last year was this chronic founder lamanitic.

This lovley equine a much loved and well cared for welsh cob cross gelding was presented to me with substantial rotation and foundering of the P3 (Pedal Bone) in both front feet X-rays revealed.

Also visible on the X-rays were two gas pockets in the dorsal walls of both feet indicating a nasty surprise was waiting and tracking upwards towards the coronary band trying to burst out. Upon arrival there was a visible puss like discharge emanating from a horizontal crack about an inch in length in the near fore we needed to act urgently.

This equine was in considerable discomfort adopting a typical feet forward lamanitic stance.

After a careful assessment of the X-rays the first stage was to debrade the affected area to allow any dead necrotic material to drain away before it could be medicated with a Sugardene dressing (Sugar & Iodine mixed into a paste) when applied on a poultice it would allow the natural healing and keratinisation to begin as well as preventing any nasty bacterial build up ! Vital before any kind of shoe could be considered.

During the debrading of the area a large amount of grim looking puss/serum was forced out at an alarming pace bringing almost instant relief !

A month or so later after daily medicating and dressing the infected area there was considerable improvement ! Enough for us to apply a Heart Bar Shoe with pads and dental impression material.The latter would in time encourage solar depth and provide comfort and support to the frog/digital cushion and in turn P3 (Pedal Bone)

Our ultimate goal was to restore the alignment and laminal bond between P3 and the dysfunctional hoof capsule.

Prior to shoeing we established that there was significant dorsal wall separation and large laminal wedges were visible in both front feet this was in desperate need of attention and was dressed back as far as possible in order to eliminate any lever forces causing further discomfort. We could then fit the appropriate type of shoe in an attempt to support and realign P3.

You can see the difference in the before and after pictures taken from a lateral aspect.

Before the shoes & pads and DI material could be applied the feet were treated with a light dusting of copper sulphate powder to prevent any anaerobic bacteria manifesting in the previously infected tissues wilst the shoes were in place.

This equine was then placed on a strict five week Shoeing cycle and monitored closely by Me and Veterinarians .He was managed very well by the owner and all parties involved.

7 months later this lovley horse is now considerably sounder and showing positive signs of making a good recovery.

31/12/2020

Wishing All My Clients And Followers A Happy New Year !
It’s Been A Tough Year For Us All Let’s Make 2021 A Better Year !

21/03/2020

11/03/2020

Today I came across a Donkey with Seedy Toe a bacterial infection that infects the hoof capsule slowly eating its way through the hoof causing hoof wall separation. It had tracked its way upwards towards the coronary band some considerable distance. This particular Donkey is well cared for and trimmed regularly !

Upon arrival and what was to be just a routine trim I noticed a small black spot within the white line. Upon closer inspection I decided to remove all the dead and decaying hoof back to a healthy living structure to prevent the anaerobic bacteria manifesting and re infecting the hoof. I then medicated it with an anti microbial solution to sterilise the area.

This wet and mild winter have proved to be perfect conditions for Seedy Toe to thrive. Another reason to keep your Horse/Donkeys feet regularly trimmed .

This little Donkey will soon grow back a new hoof.

10/03/2020

Peakstones Farriers Of Alton Offering Farriery Services To People Since 2000 ! Now taking on new clients in Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.Look out for our Availability updates on our page or message us direct.

25/02/2020

Today I came across a pony with bacterial ingress of the white line what appeared to be a small black spot during routine trimming soon became a deep cavity within the dorsal hoof wall it became apparent anaerobic bacteria were present and had eaten away at the hoof capsule and tracked upwards . I cleaned and removed all the dead Necrotic horn back to a strong and healthy structure. I then packed it with an antibacterial hoof clay to protect it from reinfection .

With winters becoming milder and wetter infections similar to this are becoming more and more common ! I cannot stress enough the importance of regular foot trimming at this time of year to prevent such infections.

24/02/2020

We currently have appointment availability for trimming and shoeing this week for Tuesday 25 and Friday 28 Feb . Message us for details .