Hoof abscess - when's it OK to turn out?

Cazzah

Cazzah

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 November 2008
Messages
1,224
Location
Doncaster-ish
Visit site
My friend's pony has an abscess and it was pared out and drained on Friday. She's been on box rest since with a poultice applied everyday and its cleaning up nicely. Just wondered when it would be OK to take the poultice off or turn her out? There's still a little gunk coming out at the minute but not in any great quantity. Is there anything else we can do?
 
i would keep poulticing until there is absolutely no gunk and then probably a day or so after just to be sure. However, I would put a boot over the poultice and turn out. But then, I wouldn't boxrest unless pone was hopping.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i would keep poulticing until there is absolutely no gunk and then probably a day or so after just to be sure. However, I would put a boot over the poultice and turn out. But then, I wouldn't boxrest unless pone was hopping.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto this, my filly is on box rest as she has a bad abscess, she would not weight bare at all.
Last abscess she had I poulticed, wrapped the hoof in vet wrap then duct tape and she stayed out 24/7. I changed it once a day till there was no more gunk for a few days.
 
When my old girl kept having gravel after all the gunk had come out everyday i would syringe the hole out with iodine then plug with cotton wool.I changed the cotton wool everyday and syringed out the hole.It worked for her.
 
I have never kept an animal in for an abscess, all have cleared up fast and completely.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have never kept an animal in for an abscess, all have cleared up fast and completely.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have had to keep mine of for 2 weeks as it wasnt 100% it was an abscess. Keen to get him out now but cant until he has a shoe put back on. Hopefully next day or so.

What kind of protection can be offered when they go out. His hoof has been cut away a fair bit and his sole is very soft due to the poultice etc. He would be very vulnerable if he went out now.
 
2 days hot poultice - maximum. You run the risk of compromising the hoof by doing it any longer. After that use cold poltice's to keep it clean.

I kept my horse in for two days at the end of last year for hot poulticing - and then moved on to cold ones, with a nappy on top. That wrapped in a plastic bag, duck tape etc. meant that he could then go out in the field with his mates. Worked a treat.
 
[ QUOTE ]
2 days hot poultice - maximum. You run the risk of compromising the hoof by doing it any longer. After that use cold poltice's to keep it clean.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes shame our vet didnt tell us that after doing it for 4 days!!!!
 
My horse hates staying in all day and when he last had an abscess the vet advised me to poultice at night and then turn out in the morning - if you're lucky poultice should stay on, if not clean with iodine based solution when they come in.

Best way to keep poultice on is to place poultice on hoof, place a baby's nappy over the top so the foot is in the middle and the tapes fasten round the pastern, then bandage over the hoof with a cohesive bandage and then cover with strips of gaffer/duct tape, particuarly on the toe. It usually works for me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top