Just pondering...

diamonddogs

diamonddogs

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... while sitting at work feeling desperately sorry for my mare on box rest in this beautiful weather.

She's just getting over an abscess and is still very slightly lame. So I'm thinking, if she's physically capable of walking a bit, would it hurt her to back out with her pals if her hoof's securely and correctly dressed?

My reasoning is, she can't make it worse, as it's not an injury as such; she can't hoon around if she's still a bit lame and maybe a bit of movement might even help with the draining process. I've got the option of putting her in the small paddock, but I think she's far more likely to run about if she can see her mates but can't get to them.

Normally I'd wait till she's been 100% sound for a day or so then block the hole with Keratex putty before turning her out.

What do you people think? And should she come in at night for a while still?
 
I would turn her out, as you say it is not an injury, moving around should help it drain faster as long as it is well covered up, I would probably bring in overnight to make sure it stays dry and clean.
 
I would turn out for a short time and see how she gets on. My friends horse had an abscess a few weeks ago and he lives out. He had a dressing on and it seemed to heal fine. I think once its past the point of being very painful they do fine in the field. And also the ground has dried up a bit now which helps.

I did feel a bit sorry for my friend's gelding when his was at its worst because they must feel a bit vulnerable not being able to move freely. Personally i would still stable at night until she is sound.
 
Mine had an abscess last March. Lives out so poulticed, vet wrapped and duck taped and remained out. Didn't occur to me to do otherwise. It's keeping it clean that's important.
 
Well, she went out last night, but had a call from YO first things to say she got her dressing off and she's lame again :(

But the good news is, she dressed the hoof again and put her back out, and the poultice was very smelly, so moving about's kick started the drainage again, so we were right to chuck her out!

Just looking for some boots that she can wear in the field now.
 
That's how I've dealt with it DD, I had some of those very basic boots, the ones that are about £20. Did the job perfectly well.
 
I've managed to get a pair of Easyboots for £20. Picking them up tomorrow so if they don't fit her I'll sell them on - result!

We changed her dressings this afternoon and still dirty and smelly, and one sound* and happy horse - but then we all feel better in the fresh air with the sun on our backs, so I shouldn't be surprised.

*Until she got to the yard then she went all pathetic again - no Sham, if you don't want us messing about you walk sound on to the yard!
 
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