Hoof abscess

[blriehl]

My husband and I just rescue a 3 year old Bay Roan stallion with quite a deep hoof abscess. The owner wouldn't provide much information :/ such as "we had the farrier out, but he didn't say much..." Well like that's going to help us! Our vet doesn't come out till Tuesdays and my husband is a farrier, but new to the profession and the guy he calls when he encounters an issue can't be here until the weekend. From picking up his hoof it's clear he hasn't been trimmed regularly. The abscess is in the front and center by his toe and I'd say between the hoof wall and sole. It ruptured in December from what she said and cleared up, only to have it occur again last month. When we get home and took the packing out of the abscess there was manure stuck in it poor fella. Wondering if it didn't heal up because of the poor care or because there's an issue? Also... What could cause an abscess besides a puncture? Here's a picture... Sorry it's dark :/

 

[Stacykins]

My husband and I just rescue a 3 year old Bay Roan stallion with quite a deep hoof abscess. The owner wouldn't provide much information

such as "we had the farrier out, but he didn't say much..." Well like that's going to help us! Our vet doesn't come out till Tuesdays and my husband is a farrier, but new to the profession and the guy he calls when he encounters an issue can't be here until the weekend. From picking up his hoof it's clear he hasn't been trimmed regularly. The abscess is in the front and center by his toe and I'd say between the hoof wall and sole. It ruptured in December from what she said and cleared up, only to have it occur again last month. When we get home and took the packing out of the abscess there was manure stuck in it

poor fella. Wondering if it didn't heal up because of the poor care or because there's an issue? Also... What could cause an abscess besides a puncture? Here's a picture... Sorry it's dark

I have very little horse experience. But can you buy a horse boot like this one (link from jeffers just so you can see what I am talking about)? Most livestock supply stores have them in stock, like TSC and whatnot.

That way, you can clean up his hoof then boot it, and it will stay clean.

 

[Peaches Lee]

In the meantime while you wait for the vet you could soak his foot in Epsom salt water for like 10 minutes or so. Usually a hoof abscess occurs due to trauma to the hoof. Good luck.

 

[blriehl]

 

[blriehl]

His heel seems high which is why I was wondering if there could be another cause

 

[blriehl]

We had the vet out yesterday and it turns out he has a sever clubbed hoof. The fear is that there's an infection eroding the coffin bone euthanasia is the eat option in that case. Thanks for your help!

 

[Connie Winner]

I wouldn't make any decision on what's going on, on the inside without X-rays... I would assume the vet would recommend that. I have had horses with abscesses and one with laminitis and haven't lost a horse yet. :0)

 

[blriehl]

Weve had a horse with an abscess as well, my husband is a farrier and has never seen anythig like this. We had x rays taken the day the vet was out...with the severity of the clubbed foot and neglect it makes everything a lot more difficult. Although the rotation/devitation isn't as bad as originally thought, were dealing with a handful. The vet called the next day with te results and he said he may be able to be saved and used as a pasture horse! Which is a lot more comforting than the original plan of action. He said he's in awe it's not as bad as it seems.

 

[blriehl]

There's one abcess that is 3 1/2 inches up the hoof wall and one massive abscess taking up most of the sole. I don't understand how his previous owner didn't care to take care of this horse.

 

[lmccall728]

Use a "sugardine" mixture to take care of the abscess. Google it and you will find a lot of info on how to use it. I have used it and it works wonders.