Poulticing, what do you use?

sarahann1

sarahann1

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Hello,

My big lad has an abcess and down to his old man circulation is better off out with it. However I'm failing to find a way of stopping his hoof going right through it when he's out. He's not shod, I currently use nappies, duct tape and feed bags. Any other suggestions?

Ta muchly, leftovers for your troubles :)
 
Aminalintex,then half a roll of vet rap around the hoof. Then duct tape all over the hoof only. Then I bandage well, but loose enough up the leg. Then I wrap the hoof and leg in plastic feed sack all the way virtually to the knee, then I duct tape over that, and pretty much cover it. I do this firmly, but not tight.

Sometimes it goes through, sometimes it doesn't, I can't keep the most abscess prone one in either :)
 
I've tried feed bag thick plastic, didn't work, tried those bags for life and they didn't work either. Is there anywhere you can get thicker? Even tried thick black bags, that didn't work :(

I'm probably missing something really obvious!
 
Well my poultices stay on in all weather conditions - I'm in the Lake District, so you have some idea how muddy our fields get!

I use a nappy and fasten it with the little tabs at the side, then cover with vetwrap all over the hoof When that is done, I get gaffer tape and I cut six equal pieces - around 8-10 inches each. I get three pieces and stick them onto the stable door or wall or whatever, with each edge overlapping the edge of the next. I then get another three pieces and do the same, crossways to the first three. this makes a cross and the middle is quite big - with a huge hoof you could do four pieces each way. I then fasten this on the hoof putting the cross part under the hoof and the edges fold up around the hoof. I then use more gaffer tape around the outside of the hoof wall then to keep it on. It does help though that my horse is very good to do it on and doesn't fart about.
 
Thanks all, think I'll have to double up on the tape I'm using, it sounds like I already do what you are all doing, just not enough of it! I suck at poulticing, my poor horse! :(
 
I put gamgee(sp?)/sheets off cotton wool from a roll around the hoof, then a nappy. This helps to get rid of the sharp edges of the hoof wall which split the poultice. I then vetwrap, duct tape like Holly Hocks explained but do that twice, then wrap it round the hoof, put feed bag over the top and then put a hoof boot on (fortunately I have some huge ones from previous horse which fit over!). It gets dirty but doesn't split or get wet inside.

If you have tried all of this then mabye use something like haylage wrap if you can get ahold of some, instead of a plastic bag. That is essentially layers of really strong plastic so may take your horse longer to wear through! :)
 
Snowysadude said:
I put gamgee(sp?)/sheets off cotton wool from a roll around the hoof, then a nappy. This helps to get rid of the sharp edges of the hoof wall which split the poultice. I then vetwrap, duct tape like Holly Hocks explained but do that twice, then wrap it round the hoof.

If you have tried all of this then mabye use something like haylage wrap if you can get ahold of some, instead of a plastic bag. That is essentially layers of really strong plastic so may take your horse longer to wear through! :)
Click to expand...

not tried cotton wool, thanks! Tried haylage wrap, didn't work, or I didn't put enough on, which is more likely!

I definately need more practice, hopefully it closes up sooner rather than later though. Thank goodness he's a very accommodating horse for all the faffage that goes in with my attempts. Today's is animalintex, nappy, then tape, then a feed bag, then lots more tape. Keeping my fingers crossed this will still be on in the morning!
 
I am officially the queen of poulticing. Having been given many methods over the years, this was shown to me by a vet and is definitely the best. Another advantage is because the protection is where you need it, you can also cut it off relatively easily.

1. Plug hole with bit of either wet or dry poultice. Cut another square of poultice material, normally about 1inch square and put over it.

2. Use a whole reel of vet wrap to keep in place.

3. Use duct tape, use strips (you can tear it with your fingers while doing it across base of foot, over lapping more depending how long you are leaving poultice on for, double or tripple duct tape over toes.

4. Wrap duct tape round the edge of the foot a couple of times, rather like a crown, fold over and flatten down over the base of the foot

5. Put foot down and put strips of duct tape over any bits of vet wrap you can see that might get wet.


This will do the job. Promise!!!
 
I keep a small supply of cut-to-hoof-shape carpet tiles! Once you've got the poultice on then you put the shaped peice of carpet tile on next with the backing side of the carpet tile to the ground. You can then vet-wrap and duct tape the whole thing to the hoof. This works really well and protects the hoof too whilst the shoe is off (if shod!!). Mind you - don't think anything would work in this weather and mud/water!!
 
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