soloequestrian
Well-Known Member
20 year old horse, have had him for 13 years, barefoot the whole time, feet like rocks. He was uncomfortable last Sunday (26th) so had the week off. I rode him in the soft school Friday and he seemed fine so hacked him on Saturday. He was really sore when we got home so buted him up and looked at the foot. Slight crack in hind toe that had a track up into the foot - we dug carefully, got a little blood and he seemed more comfortable. Poultice, bandage and out. This morning he still seemed comfortable so I skipped the bute but tonight he is sore again. More bute, another poultice and back out. He is putting weight on the foot while grazing but very lame walking about. He doesn't seem distressed - still eating everything and flirting with the youngster. My feeling is to bute for the next few days and assuming no downturn see how we go. My husband is more in favour of a vet workup - this would involve an hour's drive and the horse finds it very stressful (he was just there two weeks ago for an eye scan). I'm wondering if whatever caused what I still assume is/was an abscess was direct trauma rather than a foreign body and so perhaps there is residual pain in the foot even if the abscess pressure has diminished. I could obviously be totally wrong though. Any opinions?