Hopping lame with possible abscess??

[hellfire]

On Christmas Day I went to bring one of my lads in for my Christmas morning ride to find he was hopping lame in his front near side. No swelling no heat no sign of wounds etc. His soles are very soft right now and noticed some small stone like bruises even though there’s no stones in the field and all very wet right now. Cut a long story short a week previous id had a new farrier out who took a lot off and really rasped his soles even though my old farrier used to take little saying It’s like calluses on hands and they build for a reason when riding bare foot and liked to take off little even though we use boots. After a few days of no change even with some bute I had left over from another horses the vet came. Still no other symptoms, no tracking, no wounds, splits, holes, heat, swelling etc etc. The only thing he found with hoof testers is one part of his sole about the size of a Penny is very painful. Not on one of the small bruises but near the outer wall of the sole. So he’s given me bute for him twice a day and if no better by the end of the week will do a X-ray. He thinks it could be a abscess deep down and said leave him turned out no poultice as the foots soft and wet anyway and just wait. I’m really worried as it’s now the 1st and no change. It’s Friday I have to call if he’s still the same but if this is a abscess it’s taking a long time rearing it’s ugly head with no outward signs! Anyone had a situation like this or any ideas?

 

[gallopingby]

Abscesses can develop very quickly especially in winter conditions. My first point of contact is ALWAYS my farrier and then if necessary the vet. I would be contacting the farrier again assuming s/he is experienced. Some vets employ farriers as part of their business as they have more hands on experience in dealing with foot trimming.

 

[hellfire]

Abscesses can develop very quickly especially in winter conditions. My first point of contact is ALWAYS my farrier and then if necessary the vet. I would be contacting the farrier again assuming s/he is experienced. Some vets employ farriers as part of their business as they have more hands on experience in dealing with foot trimming.

This is the issue. Any foot problems I’ve always called my farrier but my farrier of the last 20odd years is no longer doing it hence this new farrier who I heard was very good. My old one was a bare foot specialist but this one is much younger and maybe only deals with shod horses. I feel like calling my old farrier to just see if he’d come look.

 

[be positive]

The bute may be delaying the abscess, if it is one, and doing more harm than good, as he is not responding I would get the farrier asap, get a poultice on and stop the bute, I am dealing with an abscess at the moment which the vet did not open enough so it improved but then got worse , farrier has done a much better job, at no time has he had bute even when it was at its worst.

 

[Leo Walker]

Definitely stop the bute. Can you change to a trimmer? It sounds like this farrier isnt as good as the last one and may not be doing you any favours. I'd also be ringing your old farrier to see if he would come out as a one off favour!

 

[kingslane]

Dont give bute for an abcess it wont take the pain away and will not help it get better. Hot tub with epsom salts...the water needs to be as hot as the horse will stand and if necessary keep topping it up...just be careful though that you dont get it to hot obviously! Then get toddler size nappies and make a poultice covering with waterproof gaffa tape...hopefully it will burst itself and with mine its always an easier recovery if they come out at the coronet and shows that there soles are improving! (abcess's will always find the easiest route out)...have you had a feel around the coronet for any squidgy bits...not always gonna come out of the sole though from the sounds of your horse more than likely will. Hot tub at least 15 mins at a time twice a day and poultice in between, they can take a while but imo its better they find there own way out than farrier digging holes.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

, they can take a while but imo its better they find there own way out than farrier digging holes.

I disagree, The longer an abscess hangs around for with no escape the more internal damage it does to the foot.

Always get them popped asap preferably by a farrier and not a vet. Vet's tend to either pass you off with bute - like yours did so they can get home for their dinner or they dig bloomin great big craters in the horses feet!

 

[hellfire]

I’ve dealt with abscess before and was surprised this vet disagreed with me poulticeing it which is what I wanted to do. Plus hot dips as you guys have said. It’s not a vet I’ve seen before just skeleton staff over Xmas maybe. He did dig the sole a bit but was worried about making a hole and making matters worse. I’ll admit the abscesses in the past I’ve seen I’ve always seen tracking or a sign so this is a new one too me with no visible signs. Yes 3x a day I check the coronet band kinda hoping for puss which sounds weird. If it is a abscess they are certainly better out ASAP I was always told. They take longer to heal else and the poor horse suffers longer. I’ll give my old farrier a call in the morning and see if he would be a dear and come out if he’s not busy or away. He’s been so good over the years with my horses and others I’ve always trusted him more than any. My farrier before him was just as good but stopped due to unfortunate things that happened in his life and sadly passed away too young. This was the first time I’d had this new farrier as a friend recommended him. I think I need to do what I originally wanted to and poultice the foot. Have it all including a boot in my first aid kit and was all out expecting that’s what the vet would say. The only reason I didn’t call the farrier is because as I said I don’t know this new one and can’t help feeling the trim has something to do with it. I don’t want to blame someone but it’s happened quick after a trim and never ever had this or stone bruises. Thank you for all your advice. You’ve made me feel my gut was right.

 

[kingslane]

Probably need to clarify that comment sorry...obviously im presuming op dosent leave it to long...its not always that easy for the farrier to just 'pop' them though so always worth hot tubbing first...if nothing else it should make it easier for farrier when they do come out. My farrier normally takes a day or 2 to come out so we do this before hand and its always worked so farrier hasnt had to do much digging.

 

[kingslane]

Your gut is always right imo...trust it!

 

[hellfire]

I must say

Your gut is always right imo...trust it!

99.9% of the time my gut is and has been correct. I’m just even more gutted my old farriers not working. Trying to find a really good bare foot specialist is like trying to find a really good saddler. Rocking horse shit around here!!!?. I even said to the farrier while he was trimming about my old one not rasping that aggressively and he carried on anyway and just asked who he was and said yes he’s a good chap. I felt bad suggesting he do any different to what he was doing! He done my other horse while he was here too but he’s fine. BUT I’ve not had him on hard ground as he’s not been out since as the weathers been constantly wet and what few dry days we’ve had I’ve been manic. I’d of taken him instead Christmas Day but didn’t as was too worried and checking Dakotas lameness by the time i was done I had to get back to the family. The two Shetland’s haven’t been touched thankfully! I’m just going to poultice now and call my OLD farrier in the morning see if he’ll do me a favour and come out. I’ll have to take Sparky out onto some hard ground and hope he’s fared better if it is too much off as he maybe foot sore too but fine on pasture.

 

[hellfire]

Well poulticed again and hot tubbed with Epsom salts and still nothing. He’s worse now than ever which may hopefully mean it’s coming to the surface. He’s pretty much on 3 legs just resting the front and hopping on his tip toe. Fingers crossed I see something tomorrow. My old farrier says he may be able to come out the weekend. He’s been, and is still away. Provided he’s back sat he will pop out bless him. He said I’m doing the right thing and not to listen to the vet but carry on with the poultice etc. I’m on my last bit of animalintex poultice so going to look a bit odd in the morning buying nappies and duct tape!?? “Yes my child won’t keep its nappy on so duct tape them on!”?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Well poulticed again and hot tubbed with Epsom salts and still nothing. He’s worse now than ever which may hopefully mean it’s coming to the surface. He’s pretty much on 3 legs just resting the front and hopping on his tip toe. Fingers crossed I see something tomorrow. My old farrier says he may be able to come out the weekend. He’s been, and is still away. Provided he’s back sat he will pop out bless him. He said I’m doing the right thing and not to listen to the vet but carry on with the poultice etc. I’m on my last bit of animalintex poultice so going to look a bit odd in the morning buying nappies and duct tape!?? “Yes my child won’t keep its nappy on so duct tape them on!”?

I always make the majority of the duct tape boot on my thigh so I can just pull it off and slap it on ready made. The number of times people ask me if I have ripped my trousers is amusing! I generally reply with - No I am starting to make my Cyberman costume for Halloween already!

 

[hellfire]

I always make the majority of the duct tape boot on my thigh so I can just pull it off and slap it on ready made. The number of times people ask me if I have ripped my trousers is amusing! I generally reply with - No I am starting to make my Cyberman costume for Halloween already!

Oh i like that one! I can imagine that! I read about making it on your trousers first. Never made a poultice out a nappy and tape so this will be a first for me. Not new to poulticing at all just putting a nappy on my horses foot ?

 

[gallopingby]

Nappies have been used for many years, at least 40!!! as padding for poulticing instead of bandaging over the top of animalintex with duct tape on top or used to be an old plaster bag. Hopefully it will sort itself out very soon. The rain and mud won’t be helping or maybe you’re lucky and don’t have much.

 

[ycbm]

Sounds like it's going to come out of the heel bulb. See if you can find a soggy spot and you can, if you are brave enough, poke it with a sterilised needle.

Once it's open I find it best to flush twice daily hard with a syringe of hydrogen peroxide and turn out as normal.

I agree with your vet, by the way, that there's no point poulticing a horse turned out in a wet field. But the bute has done you no favours. And your farrier rasping sole??? I hope he won't be doing that again?

 

[Gloi]

Cut a long story short a week previous id had a new farrier out who took a lot off and really rasped his soles even though my old farrier used to take little saying It’s like calluses on hands and they build for a reason when riding bare foot and liked to take off little even though we use boots.

Sounds like that should be the last time you let him near your pony's feet. The best thing for mine's bare feet was learning to do them myself

 

[hellfire]

Plenty of rain and plenty of mud here unfortunately. I’ve heard of nappies being used but never tried it. He’s got a nappy on now as of first thing and changed it again just now. The whole foots soft due to the intense constant rain but nothing feels extra soft and squiggy so won’t be poking about with a needle. That new farrier certainly won’t be coming back to rasp ANYTHING again! I learnt to trim years ago from my old farrier and do my Shetland’s myself. My old farrier still used to come out now and then though as Sparky is too difficult and as my back has got worse over the years I could no longer manage to do him. Plus I still liked him to check and make sure I was doing them all ok. As the new farrier was here for Sparky I’d decided to get him to do both larger boys save me a job. I regret this now seriously. I saved my back yes but my horse has suffered. Still no sign of anything on his foot although he’s not walking on his tip toe as much this afternoon.

 

[NOISYGIRL2]

ignore me replied in error wont' let me delete

 

[twiggy2]

Did the farrier come OP?
Is the horse sorted?

 

[hellfire]

Yes.

Did the farrier come OP?
Is the horse sorted?

Meant to message on here Monday. Not a abscess. Far too much taken off the foot, sole, heel and frog. The wet weathers then made the feet and thin sole very very soft after having too much taken off. He said old fashioned iodine for a while and dry wrap. He’s better already just after two days of doing that where as he was no better poulticing. No wonder as was keeping his foot wet. Still lame but weight bearing now thank goodness and the whole foot is making contact with the floor not just struggling on his tip toe poor boy.
He’s lucky he’s not badly lame all round but now he’s stable enough to finally pick up the other feet he is tender ALL ROUND! He may well of stood on a stone or something to really aggravate that particular foot. He said it will be like going back to transitioning from being shod to bare foot. I’ve only had this lad since last Oct and he was finally getting to the point he didn’t need his boots as much only on very stony ground. Looks like I’m back to square 1 again. Not impressed.