4 pics 1 word horse running sheep grazing

The abscess exit site (on the coronoray band) growing down the hoof will take months to grow out and should be treated with a product like Bug Buster to minimise the spread of seedy toe. The main issue to watch for is they can still comfortably get to water – it may help to provide a closer source, or hand water to ensure they are not getting dehydrated. Recovery can take up to a week, however if your horse is lame for longer than this, call the vet in case it’s something more serious than an abscess.Īlthough your horse will be very lame it’s important not to restrict their movement as blood flow to the hoof will help heal it. A poultice can be as simple as a strip of cotton wool or even a nappy soaked in epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) to a store bought poultice kit. By using a hoof boot you can leave the horse in their own environment so they aren’t further stressed by being separated from their herd. If you suspect an abscess it’s a good idea to poultice the affected hoof, changing it daily so the coronet and heel bulbs are soft to allow the abscess to find the easy way out. Sometimes a milder abscess is not even evident in a horse not exercised regularly, only showing up when the hoof trimmer discovers a rotting hole in the sole or hoof wall. An abscess that has burst through the coronary band. The pain the horse endures at this stage is similar to when you hit your thumb with a hammer and the swelling and blood is trapped under your thumbnail.Įventually the pus and serum are forced from the internal hoof structures and come out through the coronet band or heel bulb areas. These photos show the various stages of an abscess which in the beginning can cause three-legged lameness before it bursts through soft tissue.

Stages of a hoof abscess The swollen heel bulb on the left side indicates the potential eruption site of the hoof abscess. Leg swelling can show up days before a hoof abscess bursts. Our equines (that includes donkeys and mules) often have to endure the pain of a hoof abscess caused by too much rich grass, and can be affected even if they don’t appear to be overweight. Unfortunately this over-caring can be cruel to a horse or pony especially in spring and early summer when grasses are high in sugar. One of the ways we tend to show good care for our horse is to provide plenty of feed. “ Well meaning is not the same as well being for the horse”.

While reading the book ‘ Perfect Partners’ by Kelly Marks (an excellent book by the way) I was struck by a very true statement she made….

4 pics 1 word horse running sheep grazing