Any ideas keeping hoof clean

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cellie

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You might have seen earlier posts my horse had nail puncture thursday.The vet came out friday dug out the hole cleaned wound and put him on antibiotics.He wont stand still in his stable and is wearing the bandage off I have tried duck tape and I bought a poultice boot but it doesnt fit.I spoke to the vet yesterday and he said that once there is a drainage hole some people turn their horses out.I put Ollie out this morning because I figured Pooh and urine in his hoof is alot worse than walking about on grass.My fields are good at the moment no mud and he is on his own.If any one has any ideas how to keep the wound clean it would be helplful I have also spoken to farrier and he prefers to leave hoof open .Someone mentioned keratex hoof putty but that would be sealing the area again which is not what vet wants.All a bit confusing and worrying any ideas anyone.thanks
 
A poultice boot would really be the only thing. As you have found out they come in various sizes & the design varies from make to make. Do some research on internet & measure your horses hoof, normally front to back & then you will know the size you will need.
 
I had the vet last Tuesday when he diagnosed an abcess. He dug out a hole, let the puss out and told me to hot poltice for 5 days then dry poltice for another 3. He also told me to keep the wound clean. Unfortunately I have lasted three days with the regime - I couldnt bear to see him standing in (I have to keep the other two horses in as well as i can't seperate them!), so i turned him out figuring its cleaner on grass than pooey stable! The boot i have makes his hoof very soggy so i have left it all off as there is no sign of puss any more.
 
I would be wary about turning out if the hole isn't closed up properly - it's just not worth the nightmare of getting a secondary infection. My old loan horse was on two weeks box rest - was a complete pain but he was poulticed aswell.

I agree that probably getting air to it is a good idea, but unfortunately you can't tell a horse to put his feet up and not get his hoof wet!
 
I have a bit of a dilemma as well .He is supposed to have turnout for spavins he had surgery in Jan .Keeping him boxed aggrivated the other problem.I have been thinking the same way grass has to be cleaner than his disgusting stable.He also managed to escape yesterday and belted down to his fields destroying the clean dressing and filling his hoof with sand and muck.I managed to clean it up but he was very uncomfortable and he kicked out and caught me in the leg.How long do you have to wait before you can ride.The vet said ten days for the hoof to repair but I imagine its still going to be quite soft.I think Ill get the farrier to make up a gel pad Tuesday.
 
My friend had an abcess in her horses foot and she filled it with stockholm tar during the day when she wss out the cleaned it thoroughly at night and dry poulticed it. Mare is fine now.
 
Ill try and get a poultice boot sorted and hopefully get the right size this time I thought medium would be ok for tb as they have small hooves.Ive taped all his foot over so Im hoping it stays put.He hasnt actualy got a infection but is on anti biotics because the nail was probably dirty and its a precautionary measure.I wish farriers and vets would agree on treatment .
 
I have some of that from overreach injury but then that might seal wound which Ive been told not to do.
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My mums got a cob size one at home that's gathering dust as they're moving - would that be any help? She can post it to you tomorrow probably?
 
Thats really kind of you thanks Ill send you the money for post and boot if you pm me your address and Ill use the stockholm tar if you all agree that its ok.The farriers really favour the tar for injuries it helped the overreach cuts he had last year.
How are you getting on with your spavins problems I seem to remember you having similiar probs to me.
Ill pm you my address if your sure its ok re boot thanks again
 
The other thing that is worth trying is to plug the hole with cotton wool and blue spray (like purple but better apparently).

That way it doesnt seal it up, is easy to take out and will keep dirt out......

The keratex hoof putty is good when you know that there is not a problem for it to be sealed up, ie when its clear from infection (which I know yours hasnt got) but you dont want anything further going up into the hole
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Good luck, when my kids pony had a abcess we were told to keep him out and moving, and the amount of hoof shaped bandage and tape affairs that I found in the field were no bodies business.

Only other thing is ..... have you tried adding a layer of small baby nappy between the poultice/dressing and the top layer of tape????
 
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The other thing that is worth trying is to plug the hole with cotton wool and blue spray (like purple but better apparently).

That way it doesnt seal it up, is easy to take out and will keep dirt out......

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Ditto that, my horse currently has holes in each of her front toes from where the vet dug it out and I am having to clean them twice a week. She is turned out as normal and the holes are plugged with cotton wool soaked in purple spray (only use for the damned stuff, it dries my hands out so I'd never use it on a skin wound!)
It works a treat and they stay in well, especially if I let the mud accumulate on top of the cotton wool and don't try and pick the toes out every day (cotton wool stays in her toes for 3-4 days). My hands are permanently purple though!
 
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nappies on hooves.I have the blue spray anti- biotic begins with T have been using that its very good.Now going up yard to see if the tape has done its job Im armed with tar cotton wool more duck tape etc hope he will let me clean it.Thanks this place is full of useful info.
 
When my horse has had an abcess I use a nappy (first size fits over the hoof great) and put an equiboot over the top and turn him out. The equiboot is a bit big for him but with this arrangement it stays on and the nappy keeps it clean. This has worked numerous times for me.
Good luck, hope it all works out.
 
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