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Since August 2003 Jenny has trimmed Bronson's feet every four to five weeks and today, 25 March 2004, there is about a quarter-inch of old hoof left. All the signs of founder have practically disappeared. Bronson enjoyed a painless and happy winter and summer and is ready to face autumn and winter 2004 with renewed vigour. Every other day he has a small feed of bran and oaten chaff (in equal quantities) and one tablespoon of Pat Coleby's Natural Mineral Mix. He gets plenty of treats as well and is particularly partial to peppermints! Bronson is twenty-two this year and has been exhibiting all the traits and antics he possessed when he was a five-yearold. He bosses his paddock mate, Shirley (a 25-yearold black mare rescued by the ILPH), something terrible and schemes to surprise any unsuspecting bystander. He can "turn on a sixpence" and his coat gleams.
There will be many of you who disagree, but I am totally convinced that Bronson's recovery from founder is directly attributed to Jenny Lomas and her contemporaries who devote so much time to encourage equestrians to convert to "barefoot". To see a horse in so much pain as Bronson was is distressing, to say the least. However, I know that Bronson is happy to have been given a second chance at life. He went through a great ordeal and at every stage I believe he knew we were giving him every opportunity to pull through. Many tears were shed, both by Bronson and his care-givers, but when we see him walking over stones and gravel with ease we applaud his willpower and stamina for allowing us to nurse him back to health.
Even when he was in his teens and wearing shoes he used to stumble over stones.Not any more.
Bronson will soon be returning to life in front of a carriage, without shoes and without oil to make his hooves shine. Natural moisture is also the key - good old-fashioned rainwater!
Thank you, Jenny, for everything you have done for Bronson and his family. We can't thank you enough.
Kathy Gallimore
25 March 2004
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