corns

[L&M]

My cob went lame 8 days ago and the farrier has found a corn where his heel had spread out over the shoe. He has dug around as much as he dares but feels there may be an infection as well.
I have had him on box rest but despite hot poulticing for 4 days now, there is no sign of any pus. The corn seems to be settling down as no longer as red, but he is still lame at trot.
Do corns themselves cause lameness and if so how long approx should it take for the horse to feel more comfortable?
Also, how much longer is it safe to apply a wet poultice?
Many thanks.

 

[ExRacers]

My horse was very lame with a corn. Farrier dug it out a bit but nothing came out so we left the shoe off for a couple of days and box rested him then had the shoe replaced with a pad underneath to cushion between the corn & the shoe. Instant result - horse was then sound!

Left the pad on for 2 shoeings then back to normal. Hope this helps & good luck!

 

[L&M]

Thanks! Was he lame right up until he was re-shod with the pad? Also, what sort of pad did your farrier use?

 

[Nailed]

you dont necessarily need pads to correct a corn.

You need a correctly fitting shoe with enough length in the heel and the horse needs to be shod regularly.. preferalbly before the foot and heels start to grow over the shoe.

Corns are caused by undue pressure on the bars of the foot.
Corns cause lameness as they cause bruising and some times it does take a while to come sound from a corn.

If the corn is quite deep i would suggest cold poulticing to draw out any bruising. dont be too quick to use a pad as if incorrectly fitted or if they slip.. you could end up with more problems.

Louu x

 

[ExRacers]

Yes he had been lame for about a week up until the pad was fitted. The pad seemed to be some type of plastic - sorry I don't know the technical name for it!

I do agree with what Nailed has said re the shoeing though, but in my case my horse overtracks and any long heels in front mean the shoes are ripped off in no time even with overreach boots on. He's a typical flat footed TB!

However, *touch wood*, he's never had another one!!

 

[L&M]

Thanks Louu,
Some useful points there - he is shod every 5 weeks but recently his feet have been growing v fast so maybe have to stomach having him shod every 4th week!
His shoe has been removed and has been on box rest for 7 days now - would it do any harm to turn him out with a poultice boot on?