Author	Topic:   Limb Length Disparity Testimonials
Dr. Esco Buff (Moderator)	posted 2/2/06 7:24 PM
Mike and Barbara Krefsky (Moderator)	posted 2/3/06 0:21 AM     “Saying good-bye is always difficult but in this instance it is especially heart wrenching. You were both “Smoothie” and our savior. Our horse’s athletic career has been extended and made possible thanks to your efforts and expertise. We will feel that we have made a new friend more than a professional acquaintance. Please accept our gratitude and thanks for restoring our noble steed to his former glory.” Mike and Barbara Krefsky, Severe Limb Disparity Horse Owner, Robbinsville, New Jersey
Lorrie Scalia (Moderator)	posted 2/3/06 0:23 AM     “ I just wanted to say thanks one more time for all you’ve done. After nearly 19 years of owning a horse, I finally met another person with such integrity, empathy and a gift for understanding horses and horse people in general. Not only did you do wonders for Raajah, but you were very helpful to me during one of the worst days of my life…even though I only knew you one short year, you’ve been or rather have had a great impact on my life. You’re an incredible person - don’t ever change - your children have a wonderful role model. I wish you great things.” Lorrie Scalia, Limb Disparity Foundered Horse Owner, Chronic Type I (left fore) and Sinker (right fore), Marlton, New Jersey
Alice and Cindy Reed (Moderator)	posted 2/3/06 0:25 AM     “How do you turn a devastating situation into a better one? The answer is take a beloved equine champion, factor in foundered, then bring in a person at the top of their field. That is what happened to my much loved show mare Hustle To The Limit, aka - Emmy. In June of 2002, our Veterinarian had us walk and soak her feet for almost two weeks. Our Veterinarian was called out again to re-examine my mare because she steadily had become increasingly lame over the two week time period. The Veterinarian and our “then” Farrier, both felt that it was an abscess and with that, continued to pare at the sole of her feet. After not finding an abscess during this time, x-rays were finally taken. I will never forget that afternoon when my mom, after speaking with the Veterinarian, told me the devastating news that Emmy had foundered. It was a blow and a shock to us that was beyond belief. When you say the work “Founder,” everything that I learned in my years of owning and showing equines and even through my years at college for equines, meant that, “if” the horse lived they would be crippled or worthless. This is so far from the truth when you have Esco Buff in your barn, working with a horse that is willing and able to fight for what could very well be her life. Esco arrived mid-evening in June to work with Emmy and to also work with us. He explained everything that had happened to Emmy, through the use of her x-rays and his own created Farrier data forms. He pulled books upon books from his trailers bookshelf, in order to give us visuals and knowledge. Esco explained that by looking at Emmy’s feet and radiographs, he could tell that she had been foundering for the last five to six months. I learned that Esco shoes about 60 new foundered cases a year and by taking certain measurements from the x-rays, can give the horse owner a fairly accurate prognosis of survival and use. Esco gave Emmy a 98% chance of survival and about a 50 % chance of returning to her original soundness state. Esco then went on to explain the work that would need to be done. And work he did. Esco supported Emmy through heart bar shoes and at some moments, held all of her 16 hands worth of weight on his shoulders just to make it easier on her. It’s been a long way from that June in 2002 to the present (2004). Months of care and corrective shoeing by Esco has brought my mare from what our Veterinarian referred to as a “guarded” condition, to what you see today, a mare on a mission. She runs full out across our arena, bucking, kicking and even gives a little something extra to Esco when he tosses a snowball at her as she plays. As it stands, Emmy and I will be pairing up to ride again this spring due to Esco. Esco has given my family so many important things, knowledge, compassion, understanding, friendship and most of all, my horse’s life back. He is truly a gift to know, not only professionally, but also personally. We would like to publicly thank Esco from the bottom of all our hearts. As my mom would like to point out, Esco’s business card could not describe him and his business any better; “Providing service that is dependable, caring, ethical and professional.” How right she is. Alice and Cindy Reed Limb Disparity Foundered Horse Owner, Chronic Type II (left fore) and sinker (right fore), Wolcott, New York
Dave Witkins (Moderator)	posted 2/10/06 3:20 PM       I want to thank Dr. Esco Buff for introducing me to true therapeutic shoeing. The fact that an 1/8” can make the difference between a lame or sound horse is nothing short of incredible. Seeing the subtle differences in a horse’s stance and, or conformation is a tremendous asset. To understand the cause with a problem solution is an invaluable tool. I have used Esco’s methods along with the help of a chiropractor and have had very good results. An off the track thoroughbred, lame, with a very unusual whither formation and severely atrophied shoulder, responded exceptionally well. Chiropractic adjustments, a 3/8” lift and several months of readjustment, this horse is now training in first level dressage. A 24yr old Arab with a similar problem is now jumping jumps in his pasture at will. An old Campaigner, head bobbing lame, club footed, is now comfortably cantering. I have listed a few of many successes. We have to be thankful for the people who step out of accepted limits and succeed in leading us to a higher level of competence. “Nothing can resist the human will that will stake even its existence on its stated purpose.” ~Benjamin Disraeli Gratefully Yours, Dave Witkins Farrier, Monroe, New Jersey
Lauri Schmoke (Moderator)	posted 2/10/06 3:24 PM       Loretto is a 13 year old Prix St. George level dressage horse that was imported from Holland last year. A highly qualified equine veterinarian diagnosed a right hind limb slowness. All flexion tests and x-rays were within normal limits. His problem affected his performance as he not only exhibited this slowness of the right hind, but he was becoming increasingly heavier in the front end with increasing difficulty in collecting or shifting his carrying power to the hind end. Esco evaluated him on December 9, 2005 and diagnosed a limb length disparity. He placed a pad and shoe on his right front. I kept him off work and on bute for one week after this and then took him off bute for a few days and then very lightly started him back to work. Although his work level was very light, he seemed to move more from the hind end without any feeling of slowness in the right hind. The following week he became stiff in the right front shoulder and moved stiff to the right. After your e-mail correspondence, I restarted him on bute and backed the work level down slightly. Esco thought it was highly possible that the pad and shoe had corrected the problem and should be removed. On January 16, 2006, our local farrier, Tom Waurzniak, removed the right front pad and shoe and simply smoothed off any rough edges. Once again, I gave Loretto a couple of days on bute and started light work on the third day. Esco, I am absolutely amazed at the change in Loretto. Although his level of work is reduced due to the amount of time he has had off, he is moving like I never imagined he could move. He has absolutely no slowness or stiffness, and most amazing to me is the fact that he easily shifts his weight to the hind quarters and he seems much more free in the front end. Although he has an outstanding work ethic, he seems much happier in his work without any resistance whatsoever. I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical about limb length disparity issues and treatment prior to this experience. I am so glad I was open to trying your approach to treating Loretto and I am especially thankful for your amazing evaluation, during which time you shared your informative findings with a small group of people, including my veterianian. I truly appreciate your efforts in collaborating the treatment of Loretto with me, my veterinarian, and the local farrier who will attend to Loretto between your visits. You are truly gifted in the area of equine movement and once again, I am very thankful for your evaluation and treatment of Loretto. Esco, hugs to you!! Warmest regards, Lauri Schmoke, MSN, MA, Limb Length Disparity Horse Owner Michigan
Marilyn Aldrich (Moderator)	posted 2/10/06 3:26 PM       The term limb disparity was not a real familiar term to me. My chiropractor, however, had pointed out to me that I had some limb disparity – so I did understand that one leg was shorter (and it has caused me problems.) So when Eaco (while treating Carrousel for founder) pointed out her limb disparity, he turned on the light of an especially troublesome problem – her chiropractor could set, reset, set, reset – etc. etc. – and I could walk, walk, walk her – but she would never hold the pelvic corrections [for years]. Since Esco has been working with the founder of her front feet and he now had her stabilized where he felt comfortable that doing some changes would not cause additional discomfort to her front feet. He showed me how her spine had an S-curve – he placed a pad under her left hind – the diagonal to the short limb. Just that pad under the foot, standing square – she corrected herself – her spine was straight. Take the pad out and within a minute she was again running an S0-curve down her spine. I literally stood on that box behind her and watched it happen several times as Esco put the pad under her foot – then took it away. After seeing the results of the pad I asked Esco to put something more permanent on that hind foot and his recommendation was a wedged egg bar. Presto – chango! Harry Potter waved his wand! I had the chiropractor delay his visit for 2 weeks to give her a chance to let her muscles adjust to this new alignment. And guess what – after she was reset by the chiropractor, on the second visit he said she is holding the set. She is walking much better – more freely from the shoulder and tracking up under herself. Am I happy – oh, yes! But more importantly, Carrousel is happy and so much more comfortable. She has the best farrier on the planet (and she has known several bad ones). Marilyn Aldrich Foundered and Severe Limb Disparity Horse Owner Honeoye Falls, NY
John Russell (Moderator)	posted 2/10/06 3:27 PM       “I was very impressed with the science and research that Dr. Esco Buff provided to support his Limb Length Disparity Theories. He presented the information in a very practical manner that I could apply immediately to my shoeing practice. Dr. Buff confirmed problems that I’ve encountered as a farrier, and his clinic provided a methodology to manage these issue. I high recommend for any farrier, veterinarian or horse owner, to attend his clinics , regardless of your experience. There is something to be learned for everyone. John Russell, BSc, CJF Farrier Arizona
Gini Nolan (Moderator)	posted 2/10/06 3:31 PM       Ricardo’s Story Ricardo is a 10 yr. old Arab/Quarter Horse cross. He was trained for western pleasure and shown successfully on the Arab show circuit. After coming to my barn in 2004 he has been going through a career change to dressage. Like many horses, Ricardo displays a 'directional preference'. In his case it is to the right (clockwise). His stiffness to the left wasn't very obvious when he was jogging and loping around the perimeter of a large ring, but on the 15 and 20 meter circles and 10 meter volte's his new career demands, his resistance to left became a major training problem. I had an opportunity to read an article written by Dr. Esco Buff on the topic of Limb Length Disparity and I could not believe my good fortune when I learned that he would be doing a clinic in NW Michigan in May of 2005. I eagerly attended and became even more convinced that Ricardo's performance problems were related to physical issues. My vet was also in attendance at the clinic and together we evaluated Ricardo a few weeks after the clinic. We both agreed that he would be a good candidate for Esco to work on. In September our opportunity to take Ricardo to a 'hands on' clinic with Dr. Esco Buff finally came. An intense group of horse owners, farriers and veterinarians studied how Ricardo moved as Esco pointed out the signs to look for. A wedge pad was taped to one hind limb and the problem got worse! The wedge pad was then taped to the opposite hind and no improvement in movement was observed. Then a lift pad was taped to the left front and yippee! Ricardo was moving better. Ricardo was shod that day with a 3/8 " pad on the left front and a plain shoe on the right. I took him home and turned him out and immediately noticed a change in his way of going and behavior. He galloped off to join his pasture buddy on the left lead (I seldom had seen him select that lead when free). He ran with his head and neck straight in front of his body (not cranked off to the right). Under saddle he showed immediate and marked improvement to the left. He still bends more easily to the right but the difference between the two sides is now minimal. As a matter of fact, he received a 63.75% in Training Level Test 3 from a USDF approved judge just one month after he got his new shoes. Her comments included the accuracy of the size and shape of the figures ridden and correct bend in both directions. In December of 2005 with Dr. Esco Buff back in town, Ricardo's shoes came off. His scapular height appeared level, his gait even and it was decided that we would let him 'barefoot it' for a while and reevaluate in the spring. So far, I have not experienced any increased resistance when I work him to the left. With all that Esco and Ricardo have taught me, I am now wearing a 'lift' in my left shoe and experiencing a lot less back pain. Isn't it amazing how much riders resemble their horses? They have a lot to teach us. We just have to learn how to interpret the lessons. Thank you Esco, for giving me some new tools for developing this ability. Keep up the good work! Gini Nolan Limb Length Disparity Horse Owner Michigan
Eric and Adrienne Goffnett (Moderator)	posted 2/24/06 2:21 PM       The best portion of a good man’s life - his little nameless acts of kindness and love. William Wordsworth What is a Hero? Simply - someone you admire, respect and is a selfless person. Dr. Esco Buff is our Hero! He saved the life of our Belgium Draft, Markey. After many painful months of farriers, several different treatments, a change of veterinarians, sleepless nights and traumatic days (to say the least); Esco came to the rescue like a “True Knight” in shining armor. Markey did not have much time left as he was suffering from a Sinker Founder along with a Limb Length Disparity. Our hearts were breaking, the veterinarian at the time offered no hope or help, and told us to put Markey down. Markey has an amazing character, a big heart and eyes that would melt your soul. We couldn’t bare to euthanize him. Markey had endured months of painful treatments, yet we still had hope because Markey was a fighter. He was still alive and struggling to stay that way. Seeing you horse so lame everyday, consumes your thoughts. We new there had to be more that could be done for our beloved friend, but what? Markey needed round the clock care and what little was being done, fell apart last May (2005). Markey took a worse turn and was rushed to our new veterinarians clinic. Markey was stalled and waiting for Dr. Esco Buff to drive in from New York to Michigan. Our farrier had heard that Esco was the featured clinician for a founder clinic two hours from where we live, and that if anyone could save Markey, it would be him. Our farrier contacted Dr. Buff as he was driving to Michigan and they worked it out so Markey could be used in the clinic. Unfortunately, Markey couldn’t make the trip. We were now so very desperate. Graciously, Dr. Buff drove several hours off his trip plan to come to us. For all you horse owners who love and have loved their animals, you know the pain we were experiencing. Dr. Buff worked on Markey with such gentle kindness and love. Esco truly is the “horse whisperer.” Radiographs were taken immediately and read. Precision measurements were taken from the radiographs in order to design and place a heart bar shoe. Markey was immediately made comfortable with these correctly positioned and fitted heart bar shoes. I cannot STRESS proper placement. Other heart bars shoes had not worked. The key was they were not properly placed. Therefore, I cannot stress enough the importance of having good radiographs and a farrier who has the knowledge and skill in applying these precision shoes. As I stated before, Markey was immediately more comfortable, something that had never had occurred before. Our hearts were soaring. Before him - Dr. Buff had a very large draft with a devastating Sinker Founder. It was truly amazing to watch him work on and around our horse. Dr. Buff saved Markeys life. Dr Buff followed Markeys care and progress by working with our farrier and veterinarian. Last September (2005), Dr. Buff came back to Michigan to work on Markey. Due to Esco’s incredible knowledge and treatment, Markey came out of his heart bar shoes and into regular shoes. Markey was 98% sound. A miracle. Our horse was saved. Today, Markey runs and plays with his fellow pasture friends, and even pulls a wagon! Dr. Esco Buff is forever our friend and our horse Markey loves him. Esco is our Hero. God Bless people like Dr. Esco Buff and our veterinarian, Dr. Ron Hildebrandt. Eric and Adrienne Goffnett, Owner of a LLD with a Sinker Founder, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Ron Smith	posted 3/7/06 4:15 AM       I went into Dr. Buff's clinic in Italy, Texas with an open but unsure mind. I did not quite understand LLD, but I do now, or least have a better feel for it. We presented Esco with two Tennessee Walking horses with "Club Feet", they could not gait or walk well. One of them has just about crippled me as I tried to train him for the owner. Luckily my farrier was at this clinic also, along with a great local Equine Chiropractor. What was originally suposed to be an evaluation quickly turned into a restoration. To see such results happen right in front of me was truly amazing. Especailly as l have spent months trying to work these horses and develop them properly for the owner. I left with two very different horses than when I arrived. My Vet looked at them today (March 06) and was amazed at the tremendous improvement on these two geldings. He is now ready to attend the next Esco Buff clinic near here. Instead of babbling on I just need to say that his (Esco's)knowledge, quick-detailed eye and excellent delivery are truly excellent. I have been a clinician on the Dressage circuit for many years and Esco can out-teach some of the best ( so called) out there. he is good and can back his theory up with deed, a rare find in todays equine world of Voo Doo clinicians. We now have two horses that are well on the road to success for themselves and the owner. Good work Dr. Buff, we will meet again. Ron Smith,Mgr Sandbrock Ranch Aubrey, Texas
Hank K .Miller D.C.	posted 3/7/06 5:56 PM       I met Dr. Essco Buff at his seminar hosted by Sugar Grove Farms in Italy, Texas. I have been adjusting horses since 1992 and this is the first time I have come across anyone who has such a thorough understanding of leg length disparity and how it affects the WHOLE horse. It was a remarkable seminar, well attended by equine professionals, veterinarians, and local farriers, who took time from their busy schedules to discover a better understanding of the horse. It was an honor to meet and work with such a distiguished group of horsemen and horsewomen. I found it a pleasure to work with the horses immediately after they were properly balanced and to note the changes. I truly enjoyed fielding questions from the group on equine chiropractic also. I would highly recommend this seminar to anyone wanting to improve their understanding of physiology of horses. I look forward to attending Dr. Essco Buff's next seminar. If you have any questions please call me at 972-333-4914 or e-mail me at drhankmiller@hotmail.com. http://familychiroclinic.com chiropractic-animal adjusting
Lynnette Payne	posted 3/7/06 10:06 PM       I am one of the owners of Sugar Grove Farm – we just hosted the first Dr. Esco Buff clinic in Texas. It was a wonderful success. I want to thank Dr. Buff for his hard work and incredible talent. The changes that took place in all of the horses that we looked at were amazing. I was somewhat skeptical about how much could actually be done on a horse in one day or one shoeing. We hosted the clinic because my father, a veterinarian from Michigan, has been working with Dr. Buff and was so excited about getting Dr. Buff down to work on some of his horses that are here from Michigan. I can say now after having attended this clinic Dr. Buff works wonders in horses in one shoeing, of course there is follow up that needs to be done, but what a difference. I have a very nice mare that I am working on making into a reining horse and she has always looked a little stiff in the back end (not a good thing for a reining horse) and rotated in her hocks and fetlock joints. Dr. Buff took one look at her and diagnosed stiffness in her left hip and what the cause was. He made adjustments to the way she was being trimmed and shoed and amazingly she is starting to have some movement in that hip and has very little rotation in her hocks and none in her fetlock joints. She needs some chiropractic work (Dr. Miller is working on her today – Thanks Dr. Miller) and will be on her way to making a fabulous reining horse (hopefully). What makes me feel so much better is that by coming to these realizations and making these changes for her we have made it so much easier for her to perform and do what we are asking of her. That is truly good horsemanship. Thanks again Dr. Buff for your hard work and dedication to bettering the lives of the horses we love.
Steve Russo CF	posted 3/8/06 0:38 AM     First I wanted to thank Dr. Buff for one of the best clinics I have attended in along time. I have been shoeing for over 20 yrs and have started looking at horses a whole different way in other words the entire horse not just the feet. i saw the changes in the two walkers with my own eyes and was impressed.Being able to watch Dr.Buff and Dr. Miller work on these animals together was an added benefit.Glad I was able to attend and looking forward to attending the next clinic. Steve Russo CF
Joanna L. Robson, DVM, CVSMT, CMP, CVA, SFT (Moderator)	posted 8/20/08 11:24 PM       Dear Dr. Buff, I had the immense pleasure of attending a seminar on thermography given at the Equine Technology Center in Salinas, CA. The farrier/owner (Mike Deleonardo) had a raffle. I won a prize - your book on Equine Anesomelia. As an equine veterinarian dedicated to a whole horse approach (I'm a certified veterinary chiropractor, acupuncturist, saddle fitter, human massage therapist, and Chinese herbalist), I was thrilled to get your little book. I read it in 20 minutes on my airplane flight to Honolulu where I see multiple horses and clients for 1 week every 3 months. How fantastic that the second case I should see today was a clear-cut case of limb length disparity. A fabulous, gentle, 14 year-old Hanoverian Grand Prix gelding with a left fore platter foot, and high-heel right fore. The flat foot, was padded of course. The owner is very open, and immediately understood what I was showing her and explaining. And interestingly, Mary Paty, a wonderful horsewoman who drives me to the barns, immediately recognized what I was talking about and referred to Tony Gonsalez. Abe Gonsalez shoes her horses here in Oahu. The owner, XXX XXXXX, has today ordered a copy of your book for herself to learn and to share with her farrier. I wish her all the best in this endeavor. The low right fore and large left shoulder cause the saddle to shift and tip, creating pressure problems, and a right hind weakness. Though I couldn't find a sacral subluxation (the horse actually held his adjustments from 3 months ago) this is another wonderful piece of the puzzle to this horse's wellness. I have pasted a link of a recent article on my business and a slide show to let you know more about who I am. I would love to connect with you, as my goal is a united professional front with the pain-free horse as its bottom line. I will also be speaking and demonstrating for 4 days at Equitana Asia-Pacific in Australia in November and have one more bit of information to add to my arsenal. All my best to you, Joanna http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/06/22/business/doc485c7c451d31c484855798.txt www.InspiritusEquine.com [This message has been edited on 08/20/2008]
Marilyn Aldrich	posted 7/22/09 0:40 AM       Hi Esco - Have waited before reporting to make sure we are doing well. And we are. Vet said to start bringing her down off the bute, and to end the poultice on Sunday,. So I just finished washing the last poultice off her leg. The swelling is nearly completely down, save for that one little bump that started the whole thing to begin with. Tomorrow I will start the Lemongrass Essential Oil on that leg. She walks very well with just a little hitch - and her breathing is much better when we walk - but she needs to walk more because she tires easily from standing around so long. The Vet. seemed impressed when I told him that we had gone ahead with her shoeing - and why. And that it made such a marked difference - which it certainly did even to my amazement. I am so glad that you know what you are doing and wanted to go ahead with her shoes right away. It really was the only answer wasn't it. Still I'm glad you know what to do. Later, Marilyn P. S. Carrousel sends you hugs and many, many thanks for her comfort !!!
maree torello	posted 2/11/11 11:18 PM       Esco, LLD is alive and well with the mare you once cured for me.The owner of this horse made an unexplainable choice in asking another farrier to remove your 1'8 pad. You have no idea what a heart ache this is for me as I drag myself to the job till my last working day. No Esco, no horse. Dont ever change Esco you proudly speak the truth.

Dr. Esco Buff's Equine Educational Enterprises  | Post New Topic