Farrier Consultation
Solutions
Michael DeLeonardo Jr, CJF
Consultation Testimonials
My mini Squirt
Late last Fall, one of my mini boys foundered, at least that's what I thought. After trying some traditional & nontraditional remedies and he wasn't better I had him x rayed. The x-ray showed founder plus inflamed, partially calcified side bones in both front feet.
My vet had already started Previcox & I had added Aspirease because the Previcox wasn't lasting 24 hours. Still, he was so miserable I was considering putting him down. He is only 8. I had to find an alternative.
My farrier had suggested casting, but I had no experience with it. I was worried I might make him worse, inflict more pain.
I sent his x rays to another vet friend for a consult & she sent the films on to Mike. In addition to his already diagnosed issues, Mike saw a fracture in the left front heel. #@$%! What else? But, thank goodness for Mike. Mike consulted with my farrier & they agreed that casting was the way to go. My farrier had some experience with casting, so we preceded with a plan.
We had to sling my mini with two strong men because he couldn't stand on either front foot independently. It was a bit of a circus, but it got done & within a couple of days he was obviously better. My farrier had access to a heat-sensitive camera, so she came every other day to check for increasing heat/inflammation. She sent digital films to Mike so he could follow my mini boy's progress.
Everything went well until I decided to worm him. BIG MISTAKE! Thank goodness he was already cast because I made things so much worse. Now we had a chemical founder on top of everything else. We could see increasing lameness, plus my farrier's camera showed the increasing inflammation.
It took another couple of weeks, but little by little he got better.
This would not have come out this positive without Mike's consult & reassurance through this process. It's Spring & my little mini is almost back to normal. My farrier has trimmed & recast him. He may need to stay in casts for an extended period of time to support those side bones & partially correct the rotation of his coffin bones, but he is back to heckling my other mini & cantering in his dry lot.
I hope to have Mike come for a visit & spend some quality time with my farrier. Thank you Mike.
Linda Johnston
White Rose Acre
Wenatchee, Washington
Out of South Africa
"On receiving the report on a full body thermal scan of my clients' horse who had been lame for 2 years, it was very apparent there were significant issues with all four of his horse's feet. My clients' new farrier had been trying to resolve the problems with corrective shoeing for the past 4 months but felt he had reached a plateau. It was so great to be able to turn to Mike for further advice and guidance. With the aid of technology, my client and her farrier had the opportunity to talk one on one with Mike. Mike provided the guidance over the next few months and it was such a special moment to receive a mail in my inbox just 6 months later from my client sharing the news that she had managed to enjoy a short canter on her horse and he had remained sound.
Mikes willingness to share his expertise with farriers here in South Africa is a testament to his passion to help all horses and ensure that those entrusted to care for the hooves have the knowledge and skill to do it right. Thank you, Mike. Your dedication to helping our farriers get it right is much appreciated. "
Dinah Curling - Cape Town, South Africa
Level 1 Thermographer, Equine Certified Technician
Certified Saddle Fitter
Cell +27 82 784 3352
http://www.thermalcommunications.co.za
Mike DeLeonardo has the experience, credentials and integrity that causes me to turn to him whenever I have the need for a farrier consultation to improve the horse's balance, causing an increased effectiveness in the chiropractic/body balancing work I am performing for the horse or an impartial opinion on changing the farriery being done. Mike's reports are thorough and presented in a way that is instructional yet non-confrontational. His expertise, integrity and desire to help both horse and human are evident in each report. Mike DeLeonardo is my "go-to" person for all professional farrier advice.
Debra K Tibbitts, DVM
Healing Hands Equine Mobile Veterinary Service
Queen Creek, AZ