abscess

[mindymoo]

Anybody have any experience of hoof abscess's in horses? my ponys got one and im just trying to get as much info as possible! thanks.

[horsestache1]

He has problably trodden on a sharp stone, and then got an infection in the wound. You need to get a course of antibiotics, and some bute from the vet. You could also apply a warm poltice (something like Laminex) The vet will advise on this.

You cannot ride him until the abcess has healed, but there is not need to keep him in unless your field is wet and muddy.

Good luck

[mindymoo]

hi thanks for the answer. She is on antibiotics, the vet couldnt find a puncture wound and thinks that the abscess is right up the front of her hoof wall. He's cut away a big hole and im poulticing and tubbing it twice daily but im not sure as to how long before she comes sound again? vet said she should be improving and using leg more by the end of this week.

[jules77]

my friends horse, who I ride, had an abscess last summer, after treading on a sharp stone that when up inside the hoof - the vet couldnt kept in deep enough and the farrier came out and dug up right inside the hoof, and the blood that came out was everywhere, it looked like an abbatoir.

We had to change the poultice daily, and rather than cover the poultice in plastic, the farrier put on a special shoe and made a very strong plastic cover which was held in place with bolts which went right into the shoe. It was a bit strange for him, as you can imagine that it was like wearing platform heels! Fortunately the horse is well mannered, and would let you do anything to him, but I was unable to ride him for many many months.

[cheries]

Hi Mindy, how is your horse's foot today? My friend's horse has come in from the field with an abcess, and her vet has told her it will probably be a week or so before he is sound again.
How is she?

[mindymoo]

hi, she is still very lame, i thought that she was walking better on it yesterday but my friend who poulticed it up tonight said she is walking worse. I think i will have the vet back out tomorrow cus it'll be a week on friday since she went lame so im sure that there should have been some improvement by now. She seems happpy enough in herself, still eating etc and she will put her weight on it its just walking that she's struggling with.

[Ice-Maiden]

The poor animal! I don't think your vet should've cut away a big hole at all - it can make the abscess worse. Poultices are favourable, but if a hole has to be drilled at all, a small puncture in the while line of the hoof should suffice. Not all abscesses start from something getting stuck in the hoof either. Bad trimming can also cause it. If your horse becomes more lame, I'd get another vet in to look at it, meanwhile carrying on with any antibiotics.