One thing I learned yesterday is to never ever take for granted having a healthy, sound horse.

And it wasn’t because Ace presented with yet another problem. It was because for the first time in nearly three months he was completely sound!

I lunged him walk/trot to watch how he was going, and as hard as I tried to find something wrong, I just couldn’t! And on top of that, my typically mellow boy was goofing off big time. He took off into a canter and would hop around at the end of the line, come back to trot and then do it all again. I didn’t feel like discouraging the behavior because he wasn’t pulling or doing anything dangerous, and it was great to see him feeling so good.

It was the best I’ve felt in months. And I couldn’t stop grinning all night.

After about 9 days of cleaning, packing with Metronidazole, and wrapping the previously infected foot, the vet said to quit wrapping, clean it out well once a day, and treat with Kopertox. At that point, the deepest spot of his frog that had to be cleaned out was still pretty soft and tender. But within three days of the new routine, it’s hardened up, isn’t sensitive to the touch, and my horse is sound.

I’m being quite anal about hoof cleaning these days, as his “good” three feet are presenting with some issues that could also lead to thrush or white line disease. I’m keeping them super clean and also treating them periodically with Kopertox to stave off any more infections.

It’s still so weird that Ace is having this hoof trouble, because I’ve been so vigilant about his hoof care. Ah well; the good news is the worst is behind us. And if he stays sound, I’ll probably get to start some light riding this week!