Treating Hoof Abscesses in Horses
Here in the southwest we’re experiencing a particularly wet winter, so I thought I’d go over an issue that often comes with rain: abscesses. They may seem scary, but abscesses are fairly common and treating them is simple.
What is an abscess?
Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria infiltrate the sensitive structures of the hoof, often through a breach in the hoof wall or sole, leading to localized infection and pressure buildup. A main cause of this is the hoof being wet or muddy for a prolonged period. It results in sudden lameness, heat, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area.
Diagnosing
Abscesses cause sudden lameness which is one of the reasons they can seem so daunting to treat. Determining which front hoof has an abscess is fairly easy. The horse will bob their head when walking or trotting. You can use the saying “down is sound” to remember that the hoof hitting the ground when their head goes down does not have an abscess and the hoof hitting the ground when their head goes back up does. Alternatively, you can feel for heat on the hoof or check for a digital pulse at the fetlock. If the pulse is strong, that means the blood flow to the hoof has increased to fight the infection. For more information on how to check for a digital pulse, visit this article by Horseandrider.com. Checking for heat and a pulse are the best ways to find abscesses in hind hooves because they don’t cause head bobbing to the same extent. You can also try picking up each hoof. A horse will usually pick up an abscessed hoof easily but fight against picking up the other as they don’t want to put more pressure on the sore hoof
Treatment
Once an abscessed hoof has been identified, you can begin soaking. To make a soaking solution, mix epsom salt and iodine with hot water. Soak the hoof in the solution for about 20 minutes once or twice a day. You can use any kid of bucket for soaking, but I prefer a shallow, rubber feed pan. Unlike a plastic bucket, this won’t be knocked over or spill if your horse tries to step out of it. Alternatively, a soaking boot is a good option for horses who don’t like to stand still or won’ keep their hoof in a bucket.
If you suspect an abscess, you should also have your farrier evaluate the hoof and possibly pull the shoe. If they believe the abscess is close to the surface, they might use a hoof knife to open and drain it which will speed up healing. You should continue soaking to prevent the infection from returning.
After soaking. you should dress the hoof. There are special bandages and boots designed for this, but many equestrians prefer to use diapers and duct tape. Heres how:
- Make a paste with iodine and epsom salt and pack onto the sole of the hoof.
- Cover the sole with a diaper to keep the hoof dry.
- Wrap the entire hoof in vet wrap.
- Make a sheet of duct tape using the bottom of a bucket or the wall
- stick the sheet to the bottom of the hoof and fold up around the hoof walls.
- Place the hoof on the ground and make sure there is no pressure on the coronet from the vet wrap or the duct tape.
- If there is, carefully cut vertical slits in the top of the wrap to relieve the pressure.
Stall Rest?
Many vets and farriers will recommend that horses stay on stall rest while being treated for abscesses. This keeps the hoof clean and dry as well as prevents further injury or infection. However, some people may choose to continue turning out or keep their horse at pasture. The idea behind this is that movement increases blood flow to the hooves. Therefore, increasing movement by offering turnout mightspeed up the healing process.
Now you are well equipped to treat abscesses! They may seem scary, but if you follow theses steps to diagnose and treat them, your horse should be sound in no time!