Izmir

Email received from Joyce in France, June 2013:

"Izmir had laminitis in all fours with distal descent in December 2011. During the whole year of 2012, I was managed by "The Laminitis Site". Andrea counselled me in how to get his feet properly trimmed, which is not easy here in France. She was my life line during all those ups and downs, abscesses, hoof boots, trimming, diet, etc; giving me all the information I needed to get Izmir back to normal. 

I finally decided to have him de-shod on May 18, 2012, and a little over a year now, Izmir is back to normal, on a strict diet, and barefoot. We are working on trying to get his soles a little thicker, but I see progress every day. We go out on trail rides, just like we used to. He wears boots and can trot and canter like he used to. He is so happy, and he looks so much healthier than the days before his laminitis due to the diet he's been on: little or no grass, hay that is under 10% in sugar and starch, and minerals that are missing in his hay. 

If I hadn't met Andrea and The Laminitis Site, I don't know where we would be today: probably dealing with repeated laminitis, putting my horse in a field of grass or a dry paddock. I made a track going through his pasture, put down limestone and rocks to keep the grass at bay, and to harden his hooves, avoiding the winter mud. It has helped enormously. 

When I see him ridden by my grandchildren now, I know he has come a long way. Thank you, The Laminitis Site!"

Spring 2013 - back in work following laminitis and rotation in all 4 feet

2 months after his laminitis, Izmir's rotation remained uncorrected - attention had only been paid to the toe, not the heel

Stretched white line, heels too high...

Izmir and friend on their track system