alright tell me about hoof Abscesses

beezwing · 09-06-2008, 02:38 PM

We are now on the third hoof abscess in the same mare. Started left fore, soaking in Epsom salts, icthamol wraps whole nine yards. The vet made a hole and actually bruised her pretty badly, now healed. Next time, right fore, same treatment..this time called the farrier and she was much less bruised, blew threw the hoof halfway up..we are now back to the left fore..darn thing blew threw the cornet band this morning, farrier has seen her, same treatment soaking in hot Epsom salt water 2X a day icthamol wrapping and stall rest/limited turn out.

So..
anything else I can be doing?

anything to prevent this?

Farrier suspects the new fill dirt in the pasture, could that be it?

Horse in question is a TB mare, 3 years old didn't make it on the track and is now pregnant and barefoot.

vetjeanne · 09-06-2008, 04:11 PM

The wet weather has made it diffcult for feet. On a barefoot horse which mine are I find that I have to rasp more with the wet ground . The soft and brittle hoof walls crack and a lot of seperation at the white line. I will rasp weekly and rub the sole with sand paper just enought to stimulate sole growth. On mulitple abscess I will run them on pencillin during the start of the new triming for about 2 weeks.

rivervu2 · 09-06-2008, 05:31 PM

Any history of founder with her? Sometimes they'll have chronic abcess problems if they have some rotation. I'd definitely keep her on penicillin for a couple of weeks along with everything else that you're doing.

beezwing · 09-06-2008, 06:15 PM

So far the vet hasn't suggested antibiotics. I guess I will give them a call.

I don't think she has foundered, went from the track, to the breeding shed to here. I hate the fact she is constantly in pain, she is such a sweet heart (I also hate the fact that I am getting very attached to a horse that isn't mine)

k

Horses&Soccer · 09-06-2008, 06:54 PM

I also suggest penicillin. I had a chronic abscess in my OTTB mare, fought it for an entire winter, same soaks etc that you're doing. Every day twice a day, even did a poultice that I learned from a gal that raises TBs - sugar and iodine as a thick paste, packed into the sole then covered over with paper towels, wrapped with vet wrap then duct tape. All through the winter with this stuff, it got better but didn't clear completely up. Finally gave up and got the Pen shots and that took care of it.

**gbarmranch** · 09-06-2008, 07:54 PM

Well rats..

I too would check on possible antibiotics.. it may help her heal faster..

You might also PM Range.. she has a wealth of knowledge to share on issues like this..

rustysmom · 09-08-2008, 04:39 AM

I have a filly that abcessed a bunch last year with the wet and is doing the same this year with all the RAIN we have had this year. arg. I usually wrap with icthamol and then after it blows soak with CleanTrax. It goes up through the path that the abcess blew and cleans it out. It is a PITA cause you have to do like 45 minutes with the liquid in the bag then an additional 45 after but seems to do the trick! I got mine from my vet but you can buy it online too!

version1955 · 09-08-2008, 07:56 AM

I have a horse that I bought when she was 6 and had evidence of an abscess that blew, then over the past three years with (more or less) regular trims she abscessed twice more. The last time she did get antibiotics, I bought different white-line and thrush medicines and applied them to the hole the farrier cut and to the bottom when I could (she's just learning how to be obedient with feet) and the hoof finally grew back in without the crack. So I'd definitely get a vet's opinion on the antibiotics and see about using medicine on the hoof in addition to the soaking. I tried the soaking too but I couldn't keep that stupid boot on for more than a part of a day, probably the wrong size

beezwing · 09-08-2008, 03:03 PM

I am soaking it in a low feed pan and she is getting pretty darn good about keeping her foot in there..and irrigating the great big hole (about 2 inches long) along her coronet band. It is still filling up with pus, but as I wash it out and soak it you can see healthy pink under it. She is walking on it fine now, that it blew..but yuck.
The owner, my boss, is on a trail ride and out of cell phone range, he is also with our "normal" vet. I can call back up vet, but as it is clearing up and they will all be back on Thursday I will ask them if antibiotics will be called for. I just hope this doesn't happen again..this is the third abscess with this horse and nearly always timed so the boss is out of town and I am doing all the work. go figure

k

version1955 · 09-08-2008, 04:16 PM

Ain't that just the way it goes?!

I'd ask the vet if maybe she's getting trimmed too short???

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hoof Supplement / Hoof Advice	Hideaway	Hoof Talk	3	05-23-2007 12:07 PM
Alright, who wants her?	nadia	General Horse Advice	54	01-06-2007 07:36 PM
Multiple Abscesses!!! Help!	horses-n-greyhoundz	Hoof Talk	2	06-21-2006 10:39 PM

09-06-2008, 02:38 PM
beezwing Coming two Join Date: May 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,743	alright tell me about hoof Abscesses We are now on the third hoof abscess in the same mare. Started left fore, soaking in Epsom salts, icthamol wraps whole nine yards. The vet made a hole and actually bruised her pretty badly, now healed. Next time, right fore, same treatment..this time called the farrier and she was much less bruised, blew threw the hoof halfway up..we are now back to the left fore..darn thing blew threw the cornet band this morning, farrier has seen her, same treatment soaking in hot Epsom salt water 2X a day icthamol wrapping and stall rest/limited turn out. So.. anything else I can be doing? anything to prevent this? Farrier suspects the new fill dirt in the pasture, could that be it? Horse in question is a TB mare, 3 years old didn't make it on the track and is now pregnant and barefoot. __________________ “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” St Francis

09-06-2008, 04:11 PM
vetjeanne Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: arkansas Posts: 55	The wet weather has made it diffcult for feet. On a barefoot horse which mine are I find that I have to rasp more with the wet ground . The soft and brittle hoof walls crack and a lot of seperation at the white line. I will rasp weekly and rub the sole with sand paper just enought to stimulate sole growth. On mulitple abscess I will run them on pencillin during the start of the new triming for about 2 weeks. __________________ I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills... www.arkyhorse.com

09-06-2008, 05:31 PM
rivervu2 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,003	Any history of founder with her? Sometimes they'll have chronic abcess problems if they have some rotation. I'd definitely keep her on penicillin for a couple of weeks along with everything else that you're doing.

09-06-2008, 06:15 PM
beezwing Coming two Join Date: May 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,743	So far the vet hasn't suggested antibiotics. I guess I will give them a call. I don't think she has foundered, went from the track, to the breeding shed to here. I hate the fact she is constantly in pain, she is such a sweet heart (I also hate the fact that I am getting very attached to a horse that isn't mine) k __________________ “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” St Francis

09-06-2008, 06:54 PM
Horses&Soccer Started Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Warrenton, MO Posts: 2,789	I also suggest penicillin. I had a chronic abscess in my OTTB mare, fought it for an entire winter, same soaks etc that you're doing. Every day twice a day, even did a poultice that I learned from a gal that raises TBs - sugar and iodine as a thick paste, packed into the sole then covered over with paper towels, wrapped with vet wrap then duct tape. All through the winter with this stuff, it got better but didn't clear completely up. Finally gave up and got the Pen shots and that took care of it. __________________ When life gives you lemons - find someone to throw them at!

09-06-2008, 07:54 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,240	Well rats.. I too would check on possible antibiotics.. it may help her heal faster.. You might also PM Range.. she has a wealth of knowledge to share on issues like this.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

09-08-2008, 04:39 AM
rustysmom Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: florida Posts: 230	I have a filly that abcessed a bunch last year with the wet and is doing the same this year with all the RAIN we have had this year. arg. I usually wrap with icthamol and then after it blows soak with CleanTrax. It goes up through the path that the abcess blew and cleans it out. It is a PITA cause you have to do like 45 minutes with the liquid in the bag then an additional 45 after but seems to do the trick! I got mine from my vet but you can buy it online too!

09-08-2008, 07:56 AM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minnesnowdah Posts: 6,630	I have a horse that I bought when she was 6 and had evidence of an abscess that blew, then over the past three years with (more or less) regular trims she abscessed twice more. The last time she did get antibiotics, I bought different white-line and thrush medicines and applied them to the hole the farrier cut and to the bottom when I could (she's just learning how to be obedient with feet) and the hoof finally grew back in without the crack. So I'd definitely get a vet's opinion on the antibiotics and see about using medicine on the hoof in addition to the soaking. I tried the soaking too but I couldn't keep that stupid boot on for more than a part of a day, probably the wrong size __________________ gonna do what I can instead of complain and fret about what I can't Joanie

09-08-2008, 03:03 PM
beezwing Coming two Join Date: May 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,743	I am soaking it in a low feed pan and she is getting pretty darn good about keeping her foot in there..and irrigating the great big hole (about 2 inches long) along her coronet band. It is still filling up with pus, but as I wash it out and soak it you can see healthy pink under it. She is walking on it fine now, that it blew..but yuck. The owner, my boss, is on a trail ride and out of cell phone range, he is also with our "normal" vet. I can call back up vet, but as it is clearing up and they will all be back on Thursday I will ask them if antibiotics will be called for. I just hope this doesn't happen again..this is the third abscess with this horse and nearly always timed so the boss is out of town and I am doing all the work. go figure k __________________ “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” St Francis

09-08-2008, 04:16 PM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minnesnowdah Posts: 6,630	Ain't that just the way it goes?! I'd ask the vet if maybe she's getting trimmed too short??? __________________ gonna do what I can instead of complain and fret about what I can't Joanie