Hoof crack......Abscess....? Help

[km-j]

My horse suddenly went lame last Thursday, vet arrived and couldn’t find anything obvious as she wasn’t reacting to any pain. Vet put her on some Bute then on Sunday night noticed a crack at the top of hoof near to heel bulb which was wet and also the frog was wet. I started using poultice and bandages until the blackish sludge disappeared and I have now left the bandages off as the area is now too soft in which it needs hardening up, she has put full weight back on her foot and walks sound so taken her off the Bute but she may still be lame if put her in Trot so prefer to rest! However, although the area is dry, a crack has appeared on the Coronet band which moves when she walks but she weight bears on it... any suggestions or help advice would be greatly appreciated.....

I have posted 4 pictures as of last night......and 2 before I started bandaging where there was no crack .......can post pictures of before if that helps as I am assuming it was an abscess!

 

[PurBee]

That’s quite a crack thats appeared, brought on by an abscess, but also possibly the very under-run heels have also caused the hoof to crack there due to the mechanical strain of the hoof wall.
It will grow out but due to its size, the old hoof wall will put pressure on healthy laminae, so you’ll want a good farrier to keep the wall relieved of growing excess, while helping the hoof grow a down-ward direction hoof wall instead of under-run shape.

The toes of the hoof arent overly long but you can see the vertical lines on the hoof showing how the hoof wall grows down from the coronet. The toes are growing vertically down but the front quarters rounds to the heels, the hoof wall is ‘stretching’ to join the toes, with the heel wall growing severely forwards, almost horizontal.

Get a corrective farrier on board to see the horse through the regrowth stage - its a great opportunity for the hoof to grow a much more ideal shape.

How possible riding will be during this im not sure, your farrier will best advise. It’s best not to ride her at this acute phase.

There are epoxies and other new materials that farriers can use to ‘fill in’ gaps, to help support a hoof during a re-growth like this, making riding possible.

To be honest, if you have had a regular farrier work on her feet, id find a different farrier.

 

[km-j]

It’s really strange how is cracked! I called the farrier as well as the vet and I asked what to do and about him coming to see her and this was the reponse;

“”Try tubbing it in warm Salty water then apply a warm poultice held on with Vet Wrap . Leve it on for 24 hours then change it periodically until the poultice runs clear of puss and other debre””

This is roughly his 3rd or 4th visit as I recently moved, he came to trim then he Shod the front in March.....I have never had her back hoof shod, could this be why? Could I have caused this by stepping on something whilst hacking, would it be Worth getting her shod until the re growth or find another farrier ?! He due out in coupe of weeks
Thanks

 

[ycbm]

It's a standard, but very big, abscess exit wound. I woukd keep it open by squirting in peroxide so it doesn't heal over and seal anything inside.

It should grow out fine and to encourage that I would exercise if she is sound without bute.

I would review the diet and possibly check for cushings if you get any more of them.

 

[paddy555]

It’s really strange how is cracked! I called the farrier as well as the vet and I asked what to do and about him coming to see her and this was the reponse;

“”Try tubbing it in warm Salty water then apply a warm poultice held on with Vet Wrap . Leve it on for 24 hours then change it periodically until the poultice runs clear of puss and other debre””

This is roughly his 3rd or 4th visit as I recently moved, he came to trim then he Shod the front in March.....I have never had her back hoof shod, could this be why? Could I have caused this by stepping on something whilst hacking, would it be Worth getting her shod until the re growth or find another farrier ?! He due out in coupe of weeks
Thanks

standard abscess exit wound which will gradually move down the hoof wall as the hoof grows. In around 10 months or so it will be gone ie reach the ground and standard advice from the farrier. No idea what caused it, do you check the hind feet for gravel after each ride? I wouldn't shoe the back because of this if the horse is otherwise normally sound and happy barefoot behind. Just carry on riding and it will grow down.

 

[km-j]

standard abscess exit wound which will gradually move down the hoof wall as the hoof grows. In around 10 months or so it will be gone ie reach the ground and standard advice from the farrier. No idea what caused it, do you check the hind feet for gravel after each ride? I wouldn't shoe the back because of this if the horse is otherwise normally sound and happy barefoot behind. Just carry on riding and it will grow down.

Thankyou; I do tend to check feet but on occasions I have forgotten! Which I won’t do again so lesson learnt! So it won’t harm if she isn’t lame to gradually start to exercise her again In walk/trot maybe for say 20 minutes

 

[km-j]

It's a standard, but very big, abscess exit wound. I woukd keep it open by squirting in peroxide so it doesn't heal over and seal anything inside.

It should grow out fine and to encourage that I would exercise if she is sound without bute.

I would review the diet and possibly check for cushings if you get any more of them.

Thankyou; so if not lame after Bute has come out of her system I could take her out for short rides?

 

[km-j]

That’s quite a crack thats appeared, brought on by an abscess, but also possibly the very under-run heels have also caused the hoof to crack there due to the mechanical strain of the hoof wall.
It will grow out but due to its size, the old hoof wall will put pressure on healthy laminae, so you’ll want a good farrier to keep the wall relieved of growing excess, while helping the hoof grow a down-ward direction hoof wall instead of under-run shape.

The toes of the hoof arent overly long but you can see the vertical lines on the hoof showing how the hoof wall grows down from the coronet. The toes are growing vertically down but the front quarters rounds to the heels, the hoof wall is ‘stretching’ to join the toes, with the heel wall growing severely forwards, almost horizontal.

Get a corrective farrier on board to see the horse through the regrowth stage - its a great opportunity for the hoof to grow a much more ideal shape.

How possible riding will be during this im not sure, your farrier will best advise. It’s best not to ride her at this acute phase.

There are epoxies and other new materials that farriers can use to ‘fill in’ gaps, to help support a hoof during a re-growth like this, making riding possible.

To be honest, if you have had a regular farrier work on her feet, id find a different farrier.

I am not sure whether to give the farrier a chance as he only been out a few times to trim and the last was to shod her two fronts. He was highly recommended and he did a fab job all round, it’s maybe that I give him time to respond to see what he is going to do or suggest and then maybe if I don’t seem convinced or trims to short then find another one!

 

[ycbm]

Thankyou; so if not lame after Bute has come out of her system I could take her out for short rides?

Certainly. It will be a horizontal crack, not a vertical one, and they, in my experience, rarely cause trouble. Though it may well break off when it gets further down, and that could make her sore for a little while, don't panic if it does. Work now will help it grow out quicker.

.

 

[paddy555]

Thankyou; so if not lame after Bute has come out of her system I could take her out for short rides?

yes I would.