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Bronson is one of those horses that easily worms his way into your heart.
The first day I met Bronson he was in a great deal of distress. His shoes had just been removed and his previously high heels trimmed so far back his soles looked like blocks of wood, with no shape or definition.
He was obviously in -founder mode- and all I could do was back up his toes to help reduce the discomfort created by the lever forces his long toes caused when he moved.
Bronson’s first few months transitioning from shod to barefoot were far from comfortable and he went through a nasty patch of abscessing that was so bad the vet suggested putting him down.
I believe a lot of his pain could have been avoided if he hadn’t had that first severe trim.
Fortunately for Bronson his owner Kathy worked hard to keep him comfortable until the abscesses had burst. Of course the relief was immediate and 6 weeks after the vet visit Bronson was back to his old tricks and jumping the electric fence tape!
Bronson’s successful rehabilitation is due to the dedication and commitment of his owner Kathy, who went to great lengths to help him through his healing process, making sure he had regular trims, learning about nutrition, natural pain relief and insuring he got the all important movement that is necessary for full healing of damaged hooves.
Bronson’s health and soundness has continued to improve, he is back in harness and on the 12th of July took his devoted owner for a drive over the lovely rolling hills in Hunua, South of Auckland, proof that it is never too late to rehabilitate a shod horse.
Bronson started his barefoot journey at 20 after 15 years of continual shoeing.
Due to be published soon is a book about Bronsons life. Written in 'his own words' it details both the high and low points of his life which includes his founder episode and his transition to barefoot.
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