Hoof Abcess

[Apizz2019]

It's been a very long time, circa 25 years, since I've dealt with a hoof abscess so please forgive the ignorance.

Farrier came and asked if pony had been lame. I responded with a no as no lameness, heat etc that I'd noticed, no out of the ordinary behaviour etc.

He goes on to show me a small abscess which was under the shoe on a hind foot, proceeds to dig and releases a little blood and fluid.

Pony didn't flinch, was sound with shoe off, no sign whatsoever that anything was out of the ordinary. He thinks a tiny stone has got stuck in between the shoe and hoof which has caused the abscess. Shoe back on and farrier advised to pack with cotton wool and iodine for the next few days and keep out of the mud, and that's it.

Have I been incredibly lucky with the timing of the farriers visit, or???

I find it odd that there have been no outward signs, nothing untoward at all, and now my brain is in overdrive panic mode.

Help!

 

[Lady Jane]

You are lucky but I also suspect a few tiny abcesses burst and we never know about them

 

[Apizz2019]

You are lucky but I also suspect a few tiny abcesses burst and we never know about them

Thank you. My brain is in overdrive with worry.

 

[Beausmate]

I've had some only make themselves known by the defect in the hoof wall growing out. If the pony isn't worried, then don't worry.

 

[Apizz2019]

I've had some only make themselves known by the defect in the hoof wall growing out. If the pony isn't worried, then don't worry.

Thank you

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you. My brain is in overdrive with worry.

No need to worry, it's been dealt with. Just follow the farriers instructions and all will be well.

 

[SEL]

My Appy grew a whopper of a crack down from her coronary band a couple of years ago and never showed any signs. When she got an abscess in her heel once she was on 3 legs so I guess it depends on where they form

I've mentioned on here before about a friend's horse who we'd treated for an abscess then thought she looked a tiny bit off so slapped a fresh warm poultice on. I've never seen so much green smelly gunk pour out from her frog.

 

[Apizz2019]

No need to worry, it's been dealt with. Just follow the farriers instructions and all will be well.

Thank you

 

[Apizz2019]

My Appy grew a whopper of a crack down from her coronary band a couple of years ago and never showed any signs. When she got an abscess in her heel once she was on 3 legs so I guess it depends on where they form

I've mentioned on here before about a friend's horse who we'd treated for an abscess then thought she looked a tiny bit off so slapped a fresh warm poultice on. I've never seen so much green smelly gunk pour out from her frog.

My previous, and only, experience of an abscess was horrific, so I was very surprised our pony had one, albeit it's a small one, as there were no signs at all.

I religiously pick out and check feet sometimes up to 4 times a day, depending on if out/in, riding etc, but didn't see this as it was under the shoe.

I'm really hoping we caught it early and packing with povidone does the trick.

That green gunk sounds very grim.