Helpful Tips To Manage Hoof Abscesses

Why do Abscesses occur?

AbsAnimalintex2These occur when bacteria invade a horse’s hoof, and the horse becomes lame when the infection reaches the sensitive structures of the foot. Besides showing varying degrees of lameness, a horse with an abscess will be sensitive to hoof testers or percussion and may have lower leg swelling or an increased digital pulse.

The abscess may erupt on its own, either from the sole of the hoof or at the coronary band. Otherwise, your vet or farrier will pare away the sole to locate and drain the site of infection.

Helpful Hints for Treatment

Once you have confirmed the diagnosis with your vet or farrier, the goal in treating an abscess is to draw out the infection and keep the area clean to prevent reinfection while the hoof heals.

Disinfectant – keeping the area free of germs

Initially using a high strength Epsom bath in a clean bucket of warm water on the hoof will draw out infection and may reduce initial swelling of the leg.

An ideal product to use for hoof abscesses is Iodine, which is used extensively in all medical fields. Avoid products such as Dettol which can prove to be too corrosive.

Poultices – to draw infection out

In stock is a prepared effective poultice for animals – Animalintex which can be applied either as a wet hot or cold poultice or as a dry dressing, depending on the needs of the particular situation.

Hot Poulticing:

  • Thoroughly clean area to be treated 
  • Cut Animalintex to the size required allowing generous excess around the area to be treated. Place the remainder back in the bag for later use
  • Apply the poultice with the plastic side uppermost in a shallow tray. (Do not use a bucket unless it has been very carefully cleansed first)
  • Use boiled water that has been allowed to cool to 38C and pour the water into the tray around the edges of the Animalintex. Do not submerge.
  • When saturated, take out and gently hand squeeze out more water so the poultice is damp rather than wet
  • Place on the affected area with the plastic side on the outside, moulding Animalintex to the contours of the hoof
  • Hold in place with a bandage making sure the poultice is completely covered.

Cold Poulticing:

Follow the same procedure as above but using boiled water that has been allowed to cool thoroughly before pouring. When the Animalintex is saturated, squeeze our excess water and apply cold to the affected area.

Dry Dressing:
After cleaning the area, apply the dressing directly then bandage. Used dry, Animalintex may be used several times and still retain its effectiveness.

If you do not have any Animalintex pads, the second option is to use a mixture of Iodine and Pharmaceutical grade Epsom Salt to create a drawing agent. Mix them into a paste and pack the affected area. (Both items are available in store) using cotton wool as padding. 

Poultices will require you to keep the hoof as germ free as possible and dry. Cotton wool, and appropriate VetFlex Wrap will keep your poultice in place and relieve pressure for the horse. In wet weather, it is ideal to stable your horse to ensure that further moisture doesn’t penetrate your covering.

Abscesses are a waiting game, and can only be treated or managed but not repaired as the hoof has to regenerate, and the abscess has to grow out.

Checklist of Items for Managing Hoof Abscesses

  • Animallintex Poultice Pads
  • Pharmecutical Epsom Salts
  • Iodine

  • Cotton Wool
  • VetFlex – Vet wraps
  • Water Resistant Adhesive Tap

*All items are available from Coffs Harbour Produce

© Valley Rural Supplies. All Rights reserved, no part of this article is to be reproduced without conscent.

**For more information contact your Vet or Farrier, the above method is a suggestion only and does represent all available methods of abscess treatment.

***Photos courtesy of www.horsechannel.com.

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