How to Identify And Treat A Hoof Abscess

There are times when horses are an incredible challenge to their owners. Some of them seem to attract lameness issues more than others. An abscess is one thing that you as an owner can identify and treat, and provide relief for your horse.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lame horse
• Bucket or boot for soaking hoof
• Warm water
• Apple Cider Vinegar, Epsom Salts, Betadine Solution
• Duct Tape
• Gauze pads or disposable diapers, or cotton balls
• Syringe for flushing wound
• Injectable Pennicillin
• Hoof Pick
• Hose for washing wound
• Safe place to either tie the horse, or someone to hold horse for you.
• Icthamol

1. 
    
   Near Side fore lameness evident

   Identify which leg your horse is lame in. Clean that hoof thoroughly with your hoof pick, and hose out to see more clearly. Begin feeling entire hoof and lower leg for warm areas.

2. 
    
   This one chose to exit under the frog, and at the heel.

   An abscess may erupt in a variety of areas: coronet band (aka: hair line), apex of frog, heels, bars, or the frog and heels together. I have even seen them exit under the frog, into the heel, and down into the bars in a massive sub-solar incident. (The horse was fine, and sound within a very short amount of time.)

3. 
    
   Necrotic tissue of frog removed

   Prepare your warm water bucket, or soaking boot. For a mild abscess I like to use Apple Cider Vinegar and warm water to draw the abscess out of the hoof. (About a 50/50 mix of water and ACV.) For a substantial abscess, I use Epsom salts, and Betadine Solution, mixed in warm water to dry out the infection. Soak hoof for at least 10 minutes, at least two times per day.

4. If the abscess has not erupted yet, but there is a soft area with heat where it appears ready to erupt, apply Ichthamol (available through JeffersEquine.com) to a gauze pad or disposable diaper, and duct tape in place. Ichthamol acts as a drawing agent, and will speed the process up.

5. 
    
   Flushing the wound.

   Once the abscess erupts, I recommend flushing the wound with water and Betadine solution (about a 50/50 mix,) with a syringe. Your hoof care provider or vet may need to visit to remove any necrotic tissue that occurs.

6. 
    
   Duct Tape in place over gauze

   Allow hoof to air dry a bit. While you are waiting, soak several gauze pads with the injectable penicillin. Have your duct tape handy, and insert the soaked gauze pads in and around the wound. You can apply a disposable diaper to hold things in place, and duct tape the lot firmly to the hoof.

7. Continue treatment for several days. The amount of time will depend on the severity of the abscess. (The one pictured here will require treatment for at least two weeks.) Standard treatment is one week for mild episodes.

Tips & Warnings

• When in doubt, get the vet out!
• Teach your horse to stand with his hoof in a bucket BEFORE you need him to.
• Teach your horse to stand tied and give to pressure BEFORE you need him to.
• Do Not Attempt To Trim Away Necrotic Tissue On Your Own!!
• Attempts to trim away on necrotic tissue on your own may result in significant injury to yourself and your horse. Have your vet attend to this matter, please.
• Horses are large, unpredictable animals. Never treat a wound alone! Always let someone know where you are and what you need to do!

[kims3003]

on 12/28/2009 well thought out and well written article. A++!!

[PackinMom]

on 12/6/2009 Thanks Agman- and a very Merry Christmas to you as well!

[agman55]

on 12/5/2009 Great article, good info and content, very well done. 5*s and a recommendation. Very informative article should help a lot of people. Happy Holidays.