Kinberly,
Now I have forgotten all the details about the block the vet did,
but is it possible you are dealing with a case of gravel? My
mare Ashley had it (Tammy got it confirmed by the vet), and it
is caused by a small piece of grit or pebble getting up into
the hoof (she was barefoot at the time), and travelling up behind
the hoof wall. The horse is "lame" until the gravel emerges at
the top of the hoof at the coronary band. Then your horse is
almost immediately sound. At least this is what happened with us!
I think we did epsom salt soaks, anyway, but I remember it taking
weeks to clear up.
Doesn't sound like your horse would "bow" if he has basically been
sitting for 4 weeks.
How frustrating. HOpe it all works out! Keep us posted!
To: ridecamp@endurance.net