Esco Buff

On behalf of myself, my husband, Mark Heberling, Waverly Pond Farms (Farmersville, N. Y.) and Rosebud Stables (Arcade, N.Y.), we would like to submit the following tribute to a collection of farriers who have worked together tirelessly as a team for the betterment of a spotted draft horse rescued from the New Holland Pennsylvania “Killpen” late last year named “Eddy.” We have attached a picture of Eddy from a few days ago and a picture of farrier procedure 1. Eddy has had the care and commitment of seven wonderful farriers since his rescue, given the fairly severe hoof-related issues he suffered from (canker in both front hooves and hoof avulsions), which conditions are likely responsible for landing this horse at New Holland in the first instance.

We would like to recognize Master Farrier Esco Buff, Phd, APF, CF (AIM)(Webster, N.Y.) who has been at the head of this case, and the rest of the team of farriers, including: Joe Lyford (Ellicottville, N.Y.), Mark Yount, Jr. (Bliss, N.Y.), Master Farrier Matt Ferut (Hawk Equine Services; DuBois, Penn.), Jason McKinney (Rimersburg, Penn.), Master Farrier Steve Krauss (Cornell University Equine Clinic; Ithaca, N.Y.) and AFA Certified Farrier Leif Sybesma (Glenmoore, Penn).

Eddy, a 13-year-old Spotted Draft is a recent rescue that a rescue organization pulled from a kill buyer truck at the New Holland Auction, along with another Belgian Draft, Dolly, that was to be our horse. We do not know much about Eddy’s history other than he is a loving horse, but is very frightened and seems to have lost a lot of trust in humanity.

After a 60-day quarantine in Pennsylvania, at which time canker in both front hooves and avulsions were discovered by Leif Sybesma. He evaluated Eddy while he was in quarantine, and the same was initially treated with the hope of simply arresting the canker until Eddy could come to Western New York for a further, in-depth evaluation. After quarantine, Dolly and Eddy both came to Western New York and Dolly joined our herd and Eddy was to go to his new home with a family in Freedom, N.Y. It turned out that the Freedom family did not have the resources to care for Eddy or his severe hoof-related medical problems. My husband and I agreed to take him to join our herd as well. His hooves were in horrible condition. We sought out medical consultation from our equine vet and the news came that he had canker in both front feet. It was hard to get a really good assessment as Eddy will simply not let anyone touch his feet for extended periods and he has to be sedated.

After doing some research on canker, and contacting some local resources, we were given the name of Esco Buff, who handles a fair number of canker cases.  Esco and our vet, Dr. Marvin, debrided the canker as much as possible on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 (procedure number 1). Eddy also had severe hoof avulsions, so those were cut away and Farrier Buff placed custom made bar shoes on his front feet.  Three farriers were in attendance that day and assisted, Joe Lyford, Jason McKinney and Matt Ferut.  What was wonderful about that day was the partnership formed by the farriers with Dr. Jennifer Marvin, who, as a vet, deferred to the extensive experience that the farrier team, led by Esco, brought to the table.  In the line of duty, Esco’s leg was fractured due to a kick by Eddy.  

The aftercare and the use of medicine on the hooves and wrapping has been very challenging as this horse is frightened by his own shadow and does not want his feet touched. It has been hard and dangerous. Joe Lyford, a barefooter with some great natural horsemanship expertise, assisted with retraining Eddy on his hoof offering for care and bandaging in the early days following procedure number 1.

Then farrier Mark Yount took over for further behavioral modification and monitoring of the avulsions and canker in the interim between procedure number 1 and 2. 

On May 12, 2014, Esco, Mark and Dr. Marvin perform the second procedure. They did as much as they could at that time and it was determined that the canker spread, and X-rays to see the depth of the problem and complete anesthesia would be necessary along with appropriate facilities in which Eddy could safely recover from anesthesia. Thus, the hope was that if the canker was operable, to operate, re-shoe for support as needed (as his heels are pretty much gone) and to get his back hooves trimmed while he was under sedation to prevent them from also having avulsions and/or other problems as they are flaring and curling. 

Eddy went off to the Cornell Equine Clinic on May 14, 2014, where the Cornell team led by Dr. Walker and Dr. Cheetham and another farrier, Steve Krauss,  evaluated Eddy. The canker was further debrided. He is due to return to Cornell for his last procedure on June 18, 2014.    

The farrier team has been wonderful. Farriers often do not have many opportunities to work together on a team and sometimes, competitive market forces drive a wedge in professional collaboration. It has been inspirational to see the teamwork of this group in action.

— Ginger Schroder & Mark Heberling
Waverly Pond Farms (Farmersville, N.Y.) &
Rosebud Stables (Arcade, N.Y.)