[maddy]

Just got Pepsi back from being tupped and they told me she is lame - probably put her foot down a rabbit hole!! 

Had a look at it and nothing obvious apart from there is a tiny hole on the top of her hoof close to the coronet band? I sprayed it and will keep an eye on it.  The hoof quality doesn't look too strong though - is there anything that can be given to improve it?

Probably the commercial farmers would say she should go as she had a foot infection last year and needed the vet.  But she is one of my favourite ryelands (although all 5 of them are!)

[devonlad]

we're a lot like you in that we're probably nowhere near clinical enough when it comes to culling- prob why we don't make much money out of our sheep- though we did cull one last year who had permanent foot problems. we hadn't had her very long so it was easier as we hadn't got particularly attached. i'm a firm believer in trying to ensure that I pay attention to dietary needs. I know that zinc is crucial to hoof hardness and health so always ensure that the mineral blocks I use are high in zinc. I use euroblocs- calseagrit zinc block which I get on fine with though it does dissolve easily in the rain so I built a little roofed area to keep it in. I do work for mole valley farmers who sell them so I get them at a reasonable rate, but would recommend for a good range of trace elements as well as sodium, vital for rumen health. I only use buckets at tupping time and in the run up to lambing when I feel they prob need a bit more energy as they are largely a bucket of sugar

[shep53]

The tiny hole you are worried about will be a scent gland , one on each foot one on either cheek , can get infected or blocked but rare . if nothing obvious then possibly sprain /twist/knock  maybe re infection or artritis from previous problem

[Dougal]

If the hole is in the hoof then pare it back to let any infection out otherwise 4ml of pen strep and see how she goes.