Nature's Hoofcare Rehabilitation Centre

Gracie's Story: 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare

"This ex-racehorse was used for eventing until November, 2005, when she suddenly injured her left front foot while being turned out and refused to put any weight on it. Her owner suspected an abcess, treated with antibiotics, poultices and hoof soaks, and put Gracie on stall rest for approx 30 days. X rays were taken, but were inconclusive.

You can see the difference between the new growth and the old hoof it is replacing.

Gracie continued to only use 3 of her 4 legs and would absolutely not put weight on her front left. A huge coronary abcess continued to swell and drain. Euthanization was scheduled. One day before she was due to be put down I received a call from a friend of the owner...and you can guess the rest of the story. She came to the O Kate Corral for an attempt at rehab.

In the next few months Gracie made some huge adjustments. She came off of all her medications and was treated naturally.I opened her sole thinking something was lodged inside but found nothing. Her hoof was soaked continually and trimmed on a weekly basis. She abcessed 3 times but always kept her spirit up. She went from indiviual turnout ( after 3 months) to running with the herd and always leading the pack. Although she was not yet 100% sound she certainly felt good enough to throw a buck or two.

June 2006 was the last time Gracie abcessed, and in September of 2006 she was able to handle some light riding. Gracie may not ever be 100% sound enough to compete again. She has been exrayed at least 4 times, and I have seen some strange shady areas around her coffin bone. I personally feel, and all signs point to a broken coffin bone that just was somehow missed. Gracie's rehab consisted of no drugs, no stall, no grain (just minerals and veggies and lots of hay), no Kiddin'. She now spends most of her time just being a horse and bossing the boys around. Even my vet was amazed!"

Ollie's Story: 26-year-old pony

"In the spring of 2002 I just came across Ollie while driving down a country road. I was immediately stunned by his stance and knew I had to do something. Luckily the owner was more than willing to help Ollie in anyway he could as he knew Ollie was sore, he just didn't know how to help. Ollie was foundered, overfed, under exercised and trimmed improperly for many years.

Many believe ponies and donkeys heels are supposed to be "high", but this is very dangerous and sad as seen in Ollies case. Simply, Ollies heels had been too high for too long, so contracted that heel points were almost touching. His hooves were so tight that basically there was no movement in the hoof capsule. This lack of circulation combined with too much processed feed was a slow death sentence for Ollie.

Although Ollie felt somewhat better, gaining weight and moving more, he taught me that sometimes it can be too late. Ollie was layed to rest in 2005."

Arrow: 2003 Paint colt
(photos coming soon!)

"I bought Arrow at an auction for $75.00. He was going "for meat" due to his crookedness, and I later found out his previous owners nick-named him tri-pod since he had been born so deformed. He comes with a long story, but in short the suggestion was to have his inner joint at the knee stapled( to hold back growth) and to allow the outer joint to grow. Didn't quite make sense to me, so I thought "well, theres nothing like a well-balanced natural trim that just may fix this up." So, that is all I did. I trimmed his hooves, kept him on 24 hour turnout and you can see the results. Arrow (now named Apache) has matured to be a handsome paint gelding and has a wonderful home, with a wonderful person who loves him dearly. Thanks Kim for giving Apache a chance."

Lady's Story: Yearling part-Arab filly

It was recommended that this filly be euthanized due to a severe left front club foot. She came to Kate's rehabilitation centre in August of 2006. She needed the natural environment to fix that foot. Prior to moving to Kate's for rehab, Lady was boarded at a place that had limited turnout in small paddocks. She was stalled at night and had no hard ground to move on.

The key to this filly's rehab, along with proper frequent trimming, was lots of movement in a natural environment. This natural lifestyle and consistent work at returning the hoof capsule to a normal shape has made all the difference for a filly who would have otherwise had no future. Can you see the difference?

Appaloosa Mare
In May, 2007, a 9-year-old Appaloosa mare with severely cracked hooves arrived at Kate's rehab centre. The mare's owner was ready to put her down, but the vet suggested sending her to Kate Romanenko for a last effort at getting the hoof cracks under control and bringing the mare back to soundness.

Over the next eight months, the mare received a natural trim and lived in a natural herd environment, and her hooves steadily improved. She is now sound and has a new home.

May, 2007 - Right Front	May, 2007 - Left Front
July, 2007 - Right Front	July, 2007 - Left Front
October, 2007	January, 2008