Beauty's New Hooves
After being diagnosed with toxic laminitis and given a 5 per cent chance of survival Beauty the shire horse was given the all-clear giving inspiration to other equines with similar cases.
"Beauty is a walking miracle" said her devoted owners Senara and Peter Higgs from Looe, south east Cornwall, who have supported the mare with a dedicated team round the clock since she was diagnosed.
"I still have to pinch myself that she is back out in the paddock after being confined for 13 months - she has literally grown four new feet" said Senara.
Last September 05 Westcountry Horses reported on Beauty's unusual case when she foaled a filly in May 05 but did not cleanse afterwards. Diagnosed with toxic laminitis, the 17.2 hh nine-year-old mare was a "catastrophic case" and was classified as a "sinker" - which in layman's terms meant her feet had died: all her pedal bones had sunk down onto all four feet.
Beauty defied the odds - it seemed impossible for a one tonne shire horse to grow new hooves but the determined mare has done just that. What is even more rewarding is that by highlighting her case another reader from Somerset was able top cancel the knackerman booked to take away her Apaloosa mare who had lost a proportion of both her hind foot capsules.
"The article saved her life" says owner Polly Bridges, who watched her go from a competition horse to a "catastrophic case". "This a very new area and we are just so please we got to hear about it. We spoke with Senara who was brilliant. She did not raise our hopes but carefully explained what she had been through."
Remedial farrier Gary Gray, who worked on Beauty had been paying regular 300 - mile round trips to Somerset and expects the mare to make a full recovery by the autumn.
"The power of nature is just phenomenal" said Polly who still finds it incomprehensible. "To watch a horse grow new feet is just mindblowing" Born with four white feet, the mare now has two "new" ones with a stripe which is part of their characteristics as a breed.
For Beauty and her team, it has been a rollercoaster ride as not only has she had to deal with the intense pain from the resulting abscessing in her hooves, but she was also diagnosed in October 05 with osteo myelitis which was eating away at the pedal bone in her near hind.
"Up to the very last minute it has been touch and go and she has lost half an inch off her pedal bone" Said Senara, who had to witness an innovative operation in the stable to scrape away the infection as she could not be transported elsewhere. "She just stood like a rock and battled through it"
Every type of treatment was tried on Beauty in the hope "that something would work". From Bioflow magnetic boots to homeopathic medicines and acupuncture for pain relief by Wendy Vere, who made weekly trips from Crediton.
Having never heard of toxic laminitis before it was "a very steep learning curve" for both Senara and Peter. " We want to get the word out. One horse has already been saved and there must be others out there"
In many incidences, horses are put down in the very early stages, whether on veterinary advice or because the owner can't watch the horse suffer the pain involved.
"Beauty has proved even with her tremendous size and weight that recovery is possible if the determination and care is there, plus a good dose of luck to help things through"
Senara is ever grateful to Gary Gray, Pelyn Veterinary Group based in Lostwithiel and Paul Martin, of Equine Foot Care. "Our thanks go to all those who have provided us with such a tremendous amount of support and encouragement which without, Beauty would not be here"
Paul Martin said; "We were very lucky as every laminitic has to be taken on their own merit - this mare lost all four hoof capsules. It was down to the very strong team we had - a devoted owner, a horse that wanted to get better, a vet open to the needs of a farrier and who was willing to put their profession on the line, and a farrier who knew exactly where to go".
Paul explained how this disease leaves the horse in excruciating pain. "It's like jamming your fingers in a car door and them someone standing on them - you are immobilised"
He stressed that if you suspect a case of laminitis, you must notify the vet and farrier within 24 hours as this is a crucial time for treatment. Beauty has spent the summer relaxing with her pals to regain her strength again. "Next year we hope to get her back in the show ring where she belongs" said Senara.
If you have a similar case and would like to find out more email Senara Higgs at: senara@senater.co.uk
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Thank you to Debbie Cooper from Devon - for sending us this inspiring story.
This article is from the equine section (Westcountry Horses) of the Western Morning News - newspaper based in Devon. The original article was written by Annabel Groom and printed on Friday 30th June 2006. www.westernmorningnews.co.uk
Tel: 01752 765500
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