Full Version: Please Help Squirt
MIRescue Rescued Animals Adopter's Message Board > Adopters of Rescued Animals > Special Need Animals
August 31, 2004
Finally found a farrier to help Squirt! Prior to today, Second Chance Dobes couldn't get a farrier to come out to help Squirt, seems most of the farriers in the area felt a miniature horse wasn't important enough to warrant the trip to the rescue. Thanks to the kind heart of this farrier, Squirt had his corrective shoes removed. He lost a good chunk of frog in the process as the shoes were glued to the bottoms of his feet with a terribly strong adhesive. The loss of the frog is probably for the better as it was rotting due to having the shoes on for so long. His hoof wall is quite soft at this point, so the farrier was unable to trim him. The farrier will stop back in two weeks after giving Squirt's hooves a chance to harden a bit, and will trim him then. Squirt's mobility has already improved, although he's still quite uncomfortable walking, but is definitely a much happier fella without the shoes on. It'll take some time for him to get used to the idea of walking on his own feet and to regain his balance.
The podiatrsit has received Squirt's first set of photos that show his legs and feet with the shoes on. We will be taking much more detailed photos of his legs and feet from all angles this week to send to Dr. Redden. We'll also forward Squirt's x-rays to Dr. Redden so that an indepth analysis of his condition can be made.
More to come!!
Finally found a farrier to help Squirt! Prior to today, Second Chance Dobes couldn't get a farrier to come out to help Squirt, seems most of the farriers in the area felt a miniature horse wasn't important enough to warrant the trip to the rescue. Thanks to the kind heart of this farrier, Squirt had his corrective shoes removed. He lost a good chunk of frog in the process as the shoes were glued to the bottoms of his feet with a terribly strong adhesive. The loss of the frog is probably for the better as it was rotting due to having the shoes on for so long. His hoof wall is quite soft at this point, so the farrier was unable to trim him. The farrier will stop back in two weeks after giving Squirt's hooves a chance to harden a bit, and will trim him then. Squirt's mobility has already improved, although he's still quite uncomfortable walking, but is definitely a much happier fella without the shoes on. It'll take some time for him to get used to the idea of walking on his own feet and to regain his balance.
The podiatrsit has received Squirt's first set of photos that show his legs and feet with the shoes on. We will be taking much more detailed photos of his legs and feet from all angles this week to send to Dr. Redden. We'll also forward Squirt's x-rays to Dr. Redden so that an indepth analysis of his condition can be made.
More to come!!
I really feel what you are doing is not in his best intrest. Just from reading your posts, you have already caused this little guy a significant amount of pain. He had lived for 10 months like this. If the pain was so severe he would have refused to stand at all. In my honest opinion, you are using him as a guinea pig. I am not trying to start anything, but I see no sense in causing more pain for this poor horse. If you continue to try the "experiments" you could permanently disbale this poor guy or kill him. I am praying for him.
| QUOTE (aconcernedanimallover @ Sep 2 2004, 12:05 PM) |
| I really feel what you are doing is not in his best intrest. Just from reading your posts, you have already caused this little guy a significant amount of pain. He had lived for 10 months like this. If the pain was so severe he would have refused to stand at all. In my honest opinion, you are using him as a guinea pig. I am not trying to start anything, but I see no sense in causing more pain for this poor horse. If you continue to try the "experiments" you could permanently disbale this poor guy or kill him. I am praying for him. |
Squirt wasn't in pain for ten months, it wasn't until the corrective shoeing was initiated by Michigan State that he become sore. The shoes have been removed and he's walking much better now and is becoming more and more comfortable (as he was prior to treatment). We're not doing any sort of "experimentation" with this horse, and in fact, no treatment has ever been performed on him outside of the work MSU has done for him in the past two months (and what was done was NOT experimental--horses recieve corrective shoeing all the time). We're seeking the help of a PROFESSIONAL equine podiatrist to see if there IS something we can do to help straighten his legs, and if all we can ever expect is for him to exist as he was born with this deformity, then so be it. We will NOT let this horse suffer in pain for the rest of his life, nor HAS he suffered in pain the entire time he's been on the Earth! You're right, if the pain was so severe, he would have refused to stand at all, and NEVER in all the time he's been alive or during any one of his treatments has he EVER refused to stand. To make an animal endure such a thing would be cruel and heartless. There is hope that Squirt's legs can be fixed to where he can walk flat on his feet. If it can't be done, then we will expect no more.
This little horse has ran and played with his Pygmy Goat companion with the energy of ten children, and does so gleefuly. Wouldn't it also be unjust of us to euthanize a horse with such a zest for life simply because his legs are crooked as a possibility exists that his legs can be made normal through proper treatment? If that's the case, then we'd be no better off than the man who was going to ship him off to slughter.
My favorite picture of the weekend Rosco and Squirt
How many other little horses have friends like these to watch over them
Caught 7Up trying to ride his buddy Squirt! 
I am adding Squirt to our list of possible candidates for Itsy's Fund. The vote comes next week and I will put the update here, if he gets in.. this was a excellent idea to do this (put his info like this) as it gives us a constant update.. thanks..
Michelle LVT
Itsy's Fund, Inc.
Helping One Animal At A Time!
Itsy's Fund
Michelle LVT
Itsy's Fund, Inc.
Helping One Animal At A Time!
Itsy's Fund
| QUOTE (itsysfund @ Sep 23 2004, 08:39 AM) |
| I am adding Squirt to our list of possible candidates for Itsy's Fund. The vote comes next week and I will put the update here, if he gets in.. this was a excellent idea to do this (put his info like this) as it gives us a constant update.. thanks.. Michelle LVT Itsy's Fund, Inc. Helping One Animal At A Time! Itsy's Fund |
Wow, thank you soooo much for nominating Squirt!!! We're getting close to being able to take him to see the equine podiatrist, it's just a matter of coordinating the appointment with transport and such.
Once again, thanks!!
Yes Thanks so much
I'm so happy to see more pictures of Squirt & 7-up and to hear about his progress. I've told several of my friends and they think its outstandingly wonderful that Second Chance Dobes is helping...they are all praying for him, but I'm bugging them to do more...like donate! 
Since the MSU corrective shoes were removed, Squirt has made amazing progress. We are working with a farrier trimming his hooves in away that allows him to walk straighter and he is 110% better.. We are thrilled, and have put on hold any further treatments other than working with the farrier on trimming.
If his progress decreases we will again look at the option of braces but as you can see by the pictures taken this weekend Squirt and 7up are much happier.
Please keep him in your prayers that he learns to live with his disability and lives a long healthy life.
If his progress decreases we will again look at the option of braces but as you can see by the pictures taken this weekend Squirt and 7up are much happier.
Please keep him in your prayers that he learns to live with his disability and lives a long healthy life.
Thats Great!!!!1 Glad hes doing much better.
i love them! they are awsome!
Am just wondering what is happening with Squirt. Have you ever heard of Dr. Keeran in New Hudson? He is internationally renowned for the work he has done on horse legs and feet. I believe he was the first to do tendon and ligament transplants on equines. You may want to consult with him. He is semi-retired but if you explain the situation I'm sure he'd make time to see Squirt.
Red Tomlinson, who owns the Michigan School of Horse Shoeing as well as 15 other horse shoeing schools through out the U.S. and has written books on horse shoeing, is an associate of Dr. Keeran. He may be able to help also. Squirt's situation is not that bad. I've seen many much worse, especially with minis.
Red Tomlinson, who owns the Michigan School of Horse Shoeing as well as 15 other horse shoeing schools through out the U.S. and has written books on horse shoeing, is an associate of Dr. Keeran. He may be able to help also. Squirt's situation is not that bad. I've seen many much worse, especially with minis.
Since he got the shoes off that MSU put on he is doing much better
I knew Dr Keeran in a different life. Standard Breeds. I never gave him a thought. I think I will find a minute to run up there. Squirt's pasterns seem to be a lot stronger. He actually runs and bucks. It kinda looks goofey cuz he really doesn't have much of a neck. So it looks like a round fur ball moving around. The grooming has started to get rid of the fur ball from winter. I'm having a hard time desiding what kind of a buddy he should have but I feel it isn't nice to leave him alone. Thanks for thinking about my BIG boy. Arda
My Gracie is about as big as Squirt; maybe one of your many dogs might make a good companion. Just a thought.
Sure hope Dr. Keeran is able to help. Yep, race horses were his specialty. He had an airstrip behind the clinic. He flew to many a needy and super expensive race horse both thoroughbred and standardbred. Have you ever seen the films of the horses' legs and feet as they are racing? They are unbelievable. He is the most patient and wonderful vet I have ever dealt with. Good Luck.
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