bruising/corns in hooves

[whiteclover]

Also in NL...

My horse has been barefoot most of the summer but last week was lame. We think he stood on a stone and may have bruised his foot. He lives out and cant come in due to his COPD. Hes slowly getting sounder and he has good feet.

whats the treatment for this? and how long does it take till the horse comes sound again.

 

[Oberon]

A corn is one thing - damage to the hoof caused by excess pressure in a certain area (usually around the bars/heel buttress).

A bruise should heal over the week (unless it kicks off a sub solar abscess).

My main concern is why this has happened.

Horses that have been barefoot for more than a few weeks generally don't bruise their soles as they are thick enough to protect the internal structures.

See old boy's hooves below

I'd be wanting to get to the bottom of why this has happened to your horse.....

A thin sole in a barefoot horse is often due to a couple of factors.....

1) Diet/metabolic causes
2) Lack of movement
3) Mechanical thinning by paring the sole when trimming.

 

[whiteclover]

The vet came out yesterday and he said its an abscess. I hope he doesnt get anymore over th winter.