Experiences with ex racehorses and abscesses?

[Biscuiteer]

Hi guys first post here so sorry if this has been covered already somewhere, will appreciate links to other posts etc

But anyway I've had my boy (9yo ex racer) for just over 7 months after receiving him for free because previous owner could not care for a pretty nasty injury he got in the field (on near side hind hock) and also did not want him so his feet were in poor condition since day one because of bad care. But about 2 months ago now he went lame with an abscess in his front off side which took just over a month to heel because he refused to come sound for any period of time. Has been fine now for a few weeks and has bar shoes as recommended by farrier to help lift the heel a little bit (abscess was in corner of heel). Now he has gone lame again this time in the front near side, haven't had conformation of an abscess and cant properly check with a bar shoe on (farrier coming tomorrow to check it out) but signs are pretty similar to before, lame in walk but not terrible then hopping lame in trot when more pressure is put on foot.

What I would like to know is what experience everyone has had with this breed in particular or any other fine breed and what you feed or how you generally care for their feet to prevent this. Atm unfortunately because its been so wet the fields are extremely muddy where we are but bearable and I would rather he be out during the day than stuck in, although he is in now for the foreseeable future.
For anyone who would like pictures here are a few, one of his feet which isn't great but the only one that I could find XD and another of his other injury which I thought might be good for those interested ^^

The newest picture is about 2 months old now as never seem to have phone when there's good light but wound is about penny sized now just alot of scar around.

P.s he isn't in the best condition atm because he has had a lot of box rest in the time i've had him and have only done very light walk and trot work to build strength up

Also as a bonus question which isn't anything to do with feet but more the scar that he will have on his back leg, will this effect judges opinion in showing (my goal for this year to get him started in new career) or is that just higher level?

 

[missyclare]

Oh my! That looks nasty and that the joint was involved. You've done a nice job with getting him healed and bless you for taking this on. He's got the kindest eye. How's the hock doing now, in terms of performance, stability and stride? It's not going to get stronger sitting in a stall. I'm glad that you are doing all you can to get him out of it and moving. Its the moving that not only strengthens, but pumps blood up the legs with every step...blood that will bring in oxygen for healing and take away waste. Movement that brings those abscesses along. It sounds like the abscess in the near hind is due to the injury above and the off front is from diagonal compensation all this time. A hoof doesn't have to hit a rock out in pasture to abscess, abscessing can be part of healing as well. Healing can be a long journey and abscesses can definitely be part of it. I wouldn't think that a judge would mark him down because of the scar...he'd better not...as long as he's sound, there shouldn't be any objections. I think he's been lucky to survive, thanks to you. Hard work, long hours and lots of worry thrown in. Best wishes and continued progress towards success!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I would feed micronised linseed maybe 200gms per day in winter, and minerals like forageplus or progressive earth all year plus some salt
Use non molassed beet [soaked quickbeet and some non molassed chaff for texture.
or an hour or more to remove the sugars.
Do not feed any sugar/molasses/alfalfa. Bagged feeds tend to be high in sugars and cereals for palatability, and low in minerals, because they are expensive.
Provide plenty of hay, but soak it for at least an hour to remove sugars.

Remove the shoes: rarely do heartbars work, they may relieve the symptoms but not cure the problem as the horse needs to walk in order to stimulate growth in the hoof.

Your vet must help when a horse is lame, he should probably be on 1 or 2 Danilon per day, there is really no excuse for not having veterinary care, a good farrier is required, but I am afraid he would probably be better unshod and walked in hand on a road as long as he can cope. I would not shoe him, see Rockley Farm.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I really can't agree that abscesses are part of the healing process.
When a horse is lame it has to compensate, causing not only an adjustment in muscles, but it can also lead to lameness in feet which are taking more weight. I always try to help by bandaging both front legs for maybe 12 hours per day, however I am talking light bandaging...... you need to do a lot of practice to get it right, and use gamgee to ensure the bandage does not cause any problem.

 

[Biscuiteer]

Thanks everyone for replying had farrier out today was pretty quick and easy as he treated the last one. Was in the exact same spot as the other one just on the other front foot which isnt suprising because his feet are both too flat which is a problem we are trying to fix XD Didnt have to dig too deep to get it out and farrier suggested that it may have been caused by bruising because of bad ground.

Just too add he is on:
Alfa a molasses free
Top Spec cool condition cubes
Top Spec cool balancer
Fast Fibre
and a nice big scoop of bran to try and help with his weight
(this all focuses mainly on his weight and condition so that he could not turn into a hat rack over winter)
Also ad lib soaked hay and grass when out.

I try to stay away from any cereals or sugar because he is a tb and quite lively at times XD Am thinking of using a different chaff to help with his feet and maybe changing to TS Feed balancer which has more hoof supplements (I work in an animal feed shop so have access to pretty much anything).
It has been suggested by farrier that he should have 3 months off without shoes to help his feet grow a bit more but waiting for dryer weather and a time when he has a break from riding. Don't want to take him out on road without shoes just incase he gets another abscess. My vet did supply with bute last time but suggested I had farrier deal with the actual injury. This time he was seen to much quicker by farrier because I knew what it was and he is now in little to no pain and I would rather not mask it too much just incase it gets worse but is only getting better atm, just my view on the subject.

 

[bonny]

If he's in light or no work at the moment I would stop clipping him, that would help more than any amount of food with keeping weight on him.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Bran is the husk of wheat and has little nutritional value, it will not gain weight, I suggest micronised linseed which is high in oil.
He needs to walk on a stone free road to help him, rather than standing in 24/7, assuming he can manage, if he needs Danilon he should get it, unless the vet suggest otherwise he needs the pain to be alleviated. If the pain gets worse he will tell you.
He is now getting a break from riding, so remove the shoes and start walking in hand.
He needs access to forage 24/7 soaking removes sugars and also minerals.

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to listen to your farrier and get the horses shoes off .
You need support from the vet so the horse has pain relief .
You need hoof boots and pads to help you as well .
I would get some decent feed advice and not from the person who told you bran would help your horse gain condition .
You need to take a long tern approach to fixing your horses feet .

 

[missyclare]

I was just thinking that I agreed with just about everything in your post, Bonkers. How the information would be advice that I would follow, if I lived there. Then I read yours. Even when I don't get technical, I get pounced on.
As it is, abscesses are very much a part of healing. Encapsulated infections that must blow, but they didn't, are long term abscesses and are sitting there like dead pools. If things are going to get better, they must expel to further healing. Yes, they are a part of the healing process. The horse is glad not to have to walk on them any more. Abscesses are expected with rehab. They are already there. Make sense?
I still agree about Bonker's post, especially about the movement. Movement is everything. I think he's having a wonderful recovery.

 

[catembi]

There are plenty of barefoot ex-racers, including mine. There is a really good barefoot Facebook group which has loads of advice on BF. My boy has been BF since June 15 & it's really agreeing with him. He's on linseed & aloeride to help with the condition of his feet, and they are looking fab atm.

T x