Something that is working...

It's been quite a while since I had a Ramsey update.  No news is good news.  The camera angle was off for this recent photo making it look like the outer wall is much longer than the inner, which is not accurate.  However, it does show that the walls are now straight instead of curving to the side.

The outer wall on the left where the missing coffin bone is, still shows poor connection and a widening of the white line, but it always will.  I think this is as close to "normal" as this foot will ever be.

From this angle, you can see that it is a pretty nice looking foot now.  More importantly, it is a generally sound foot.  That's what matters.  For quite some time, I trimmed it just a very small amount each week.  As the distortions have grown out, I have slowly been able to extend that time frame.  I am now trimming it a small amount every 3 weeks.  It seems to be working well for him.

Ramsey does, occasionally, have some soreness, but it is in the arthritic fetlock joint not the hoof.  I am certainly frustrated by that, but we are managing it well.  I have been giving Ramsey (and Tanner) turmeric each day.  It has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory with no negative side effects if given at the proper dose.  I was skeptical at first, but both Tanner and Ramsey have been on it since last Fall with excellent results.

Tanner has had joint issues all of his life and has suffered with periodic episodes of extreme lameness.  He does not tolerate pain medicines well or visits to the vet.  He has not had a single bad episode since starting the turmeric last year (even with the extremely cold winter, which would normally cause him trouble) and no negative effects whatsoever.  I'm convinced.  And I'm happy with this pretty little donkey foot as well.