Apparently, the supplements we are using for Bruno’s hooves are working on his coat. Pretty Boy!

I guess it is just a time of milestones.  I published my 200th post the other day.  That was a big milestone for me-and I guess some of you are still reading along so that is great as well.

Bruno went in for surgery to cure an infection in his front hoof one month ago yesterday.  Although my vet, Lynn Criner, DVM., thought the infection went to the coffin bone, none of the vets consulted agreed.  But when Dr. Chad Marsh got into the hoof, the infection did in fact spread into the bone.  That required more cutting and more down time for Bruno.  I said from the beginning that I was good at growing hoof (I have a special mixture of biotin that makes hooves grow and coats shine) so I felt like if we could get the infection out, we could succeed at growing new, strong hoof in its place.

A quick look through my posts of the last month will tell the story of Bruno’s recovery so far.  To summarize:

• He spent nine days at TAMU.
• He has been confined to his stall for 31 days except for a few brief moments when he escaped, rolled and ran.
• He has been quiet and reserved for his long confinement except for the one night his buddy Kid took a walk-about and he almost went nuts trying to find him.
• Lauren has changed his bandage ten times using miles of gauze and tape.
• We have cleaned his stall a minimum of four times a day since he came home using pounds and pounds of shavings.

Above- the crack in the hoof when we first got him-prior to his diagnosis with an infection in the coffin bone.  All anyone could tell me was this crack would not go away. (Nov. 29, 2012)

Shortly after surgery when they were able to get a shoe on him.  Still big gap between the shoe and any hoof.

Okay, this is not pretty but look how much the new hoof has grown down and how the new flesh is filling in.  It was probably an inch or so from his hairline above and now (look for the white hairs of his leg) it has probably grown an inch plus filling in the old crack.  Lots of work left but WOW!  (Jan. 20, 2013)

About a week after surgery, you can see daylight through the bottom of his foot. (Dec. 31, 2012)

Sorry for the shaky photo but what is clear is that the hoof is growing and filling in.  No more daylight to be seen.

We go back to A&M on January 28th.  I am pretty sure that Dr. Marsh will be happy with Bruno’s progress. The best news is we are now 31 days closer to Bruno returning to the ring!