Beckie Mabbutt

Harvey owned by Sam Hawthorne had an abscess that myself and the vet were not able to locate from any signs on the external surface of the hoof. It got to a stage where we were fearing worse than an abscess as his pain was so great. Sam got some radiographs taken and to our delight a small shadow showed up where there was puss, then a drainage hole could be made on the sole. The areas circled show where the puss is. Ignore the darker area towards the toe this is a hole made where we suspected it was on previous investigation.

A horse I've done from birth "Ryde Back" known as "Dolly" in the yard, won a big race at Newbury on 27th March. It was an EBF Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Final (Limited Handicap) (Listed Race)

(Class 1) (4yo+) 2m5f Soft over 10 hurdles

She has done so well winning quite a few races that her owners Nicki and Geof Tregaskes have sensibly retired her to save the risk of injury. She will now go on to breed some high quality foals.

Jen a friend of mine, and excellent Farrier from Utah has just got this new exciting project. This is an extreme club foot. I look forward to sharing with you the pictures of what she manages to do with it.

I was lucky enough to be invited to Myerscough College in Preston last week to do a 45 minute lecture to some Farrier Degree Students and a class of Second Year Apprentices.

My topic was Hoof Mapping, Trimming and Shoe Placement. It's a presentation I'm hoping to offer to all of you soon. Here is a picture of a Mapped out foot to give you an idea of what process I was describing.

Rosie had an abscess here is the process of finding it...First I hoof tested the foot and found pain on the outside.

First I saw a black track in the bar so I followed this to no avail.

When this came to nothing I found another black mark nearer the wall.

I then added some pressure with my thumb and started to see the black puss bubble out.

Then I want to make a large enough drainage hole so as it doesn't close up and re-infect.

Now it's ready for a poultice and she already felt better.