Laila was diagnosed with navicular. Her owner was unable to keep her sound any longer using traditional methods. Below Laila's owner describes her condition in more detail.
Laila was fitted with Epic Boots and Comfort Pads to help support her during her transition.
I instructed Angie to monitor Laila's grass intake and pasture time, start her on a probiotic, and give her some mineral support. I told angie to use kelp because it was easy, affordable, and high in magnesium. Angie is presently boarding Laila and has limited support at her facility which promotes 24/7 grazing.
I told Angie to ride as often as she liked and keep things at a walk for right now. If Laila wanted to pick up a trot on her own it was OK as long as she did not over do it too quickly.
Below are Angie's follow up e-mails following Laila's progress so far:
"Monica,
Feel free to post any of my e-mails on your website. I guess if you wanted to
write more about Laila, you could say, "Laila is a five year old mare that was
diagnosed with navicular in Feb/March 2006. I did what the vet and the farrier
were told me to do to fix her problem, even tried different farriers. I jacked up
her heels and put shoes on her. She also took meds daily to increase circulation
to her feet. Every time the farrier came, it would take her two weeks for her to
adjust and then after one short trail ride she was dead lame again. She used to
always tear around in the pasture with other horses and when that quickly
diminshed I knew something was really wrong. Monica was literally my last hope, if she couldn't help I was considering putting Laila to sleep to save her from the
pain. Since Laila had her feet done by Monica she has been sound! Tearing around the pasture (tail high in the air) and a few trail rides a week, Laila is back to her old self and I am the happiest horse owner in the world! Thanks Monica!" I meant every word and that basically sums up everything I've gone through. About the boots, I'd like to get replacement cables so whether you want me or you to call, just let me know. Thanks,
Angie"
A few days after Laila's first trim I asked for a report -
"Hi Monica,
Laila appears to be doing ok. She happily ran around with the other mare she is
with to get away from me. She doesn't show any signs of lameness as she runs but
when she slows down she hobbles. I've been riding her every other day for
about a 1/2 hour at a walk with her boots. For the most part she walks with a nice
extended stride like she did before. So I feel she is doing better than she would
be with shoes. I now have her on probiotic and kelp with a small amount of oats.
If you have any other ideas for her they would be helpful. My only question is...
is it normal to have loose stool at times with being on the probiotic? Laila had a
bit of stool on her hind end which makes be think she has been a little loose.
Thanks, Angie"
A few weeks after Laila's first trim:
"Monica,
Just a couple of questions. Tonight I went on a 45 minute trail ride with Laila.
She did very well. My questions is, if she starts to trot all on her own with no
encouragement from me, do I let her go or do I stop her? She tonight started to
trot 3 times. Every time she moved smoothly and quickly. Also, if she is wanting
to go, can I maybe start riding her at a walk and trot instead of only walking?
When I got back tonight and took off her boots, I noticed the cable on one of the
boots was nearly worn through. What can I do about that? I know they have a
warranty but since I don't have a receipt I don't know what to do. One final
question, how is your navicular boy doing? Thanks for your help. Angie"
E-mail I received November, 2006:
"Hey Monica,
Just wanted to let you know that Laila did beautifully on our 45 minute ride
monday with out the boots and our 1 1/2 ride on wednesday without the boots. I am also writing to find out if you know when you will be back in this area? The guy who owns the barn where I have laila was interested in talking to you as his horse that has been lame for many years and has not gotten any better with the way the farriers have been working on her (simular to laila). Anyway I told him about what you did for laila and he was curious about what you may be able to do with his horse. Also, I was wondering if you had her before and after pictures. I'm curious to see them as well as some other people that I told about what you do. Thanks for your help, Angie"
E-mail I received February, 2007:
"Hi Monica,
Wanted to let you know that Laila is doing good. I've been able to go on 1 hour
trail rides with her on the trails around here. We even did 2 rides in one day. I
just put on her boots and away we went. The more I ride her the better she feels
the next time we go out. When I ride in the indoor she doesn't wear her boots and
still does well. My question to you is, can I push her a little bit? What I mean
by this is, can I ask her to maybe trot for 5 minutes out of our ride and see how
she does? I'd like to test her a little bit and see if she will hold up but maybe
it's too soon. Also, I was wondering when our next appointment was scheduled for.
Thanks, Angie"
Laila - January 2007
