Walking passed the Isolation Unit last week, I noticed Mr Zebedee and his friend, Crumpet. Normally I would just glance over, say hello to any new donkeys and carry on, but this time I stopped and looked at Mr Zebedee standing at the stable door entrance. Both front feet were overgrown and badly misshapen. When he walked, he looked bow-legged as he shifted his weight to the outer edges of his hooves.

Today Mr Zebedee was booked in for Colin the farrier to begin corrective farriery. Before making a start, the vet had already taken xrays and Colin was able to use them to see what needed to be done. He was concerned with how the heels had grown inwards. However, with tools in hand, he set to work. Being the craftsman that he is, Colin worked with speed and precision. Only when he was satisfied, did he step back and say "good job done"!

I was amazed at how calm Mr Zebedee was. In cases like this, there's usually a vet on standby ready to administer a sedative if the animal becomes stressed, but all in all, he behaved extremely well. His friend, Crumpet, was never very far away from his side offering him reassurance.

Over the next few days, Mr Zebedee's feet will be bandaged to give him a little extra padding to soften the pressure as he adjusts to his 'new hooves'.