Reoccurring foot abscesses in older horses

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Irishbabygirl

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Hi all,

I'm a bit worried about my old retired Belgium Warmblood. He's 24 and has really began to show his age just this summer :-(

This morning, it appears he has developed what will be his third foot abscess in the last two months! I called the farrier, who's coming out later this afternoon. This one is in his left hind, as was the last one, and the one before that was in his right fore.

Luckily he's not "hopping" on it (yet), but I'm a bit worried given his age that they will be reoccurring? Has anyone else found this in older horses?

I've been reading old threads on here and having a Google and the common thought is that they can be Laminitis or Cushings related - neither apply here as the vet came for the last abcess he suffered two weeks ago (as his whole leg swelled up and I was convinced it was something more sinister) and he confirmed it definitely wasn't Laminitis, and took a blood for Cushings - which was thankfully negative.

My farrier is suggesting putting front shoes on him, which I'm not opposed to, but would be a shame as he's been barefoot since he retired four years ago. But the last two abscesses have been in his left hind, so unless I shoe him all round, this is unlikely to help.

He's also on two Bute a day for Arthritis...and he's still having his good days and not so good days bless him. I just hate seeing him uncomfortable...I can't really remember the last time I saw him trot across the field. I just don't know what to do for the best...
 
I would be looking at his minerals - can you get your hay or land tested to see whether there is a deficiency? And speak to Sarah at Forageplus, she is a mine of information in this area
 
JillA said:
I would be looking at his minerals - can you get your hay or land tested to see whether there is a deficiency? And speak to Sarah at Forageplus, she is a mine of information in this area
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This is interesting - and not something I had considered. Although he's only on grazing 24/7 at the moment (same grazing for a year now) as he's out for the summer and half a scoop of Dengie Healthy Hooves twice a day to take his bute in.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
So your vet has done bloods and eliminated cushings; maybe this just an age-related thing then, coz my old boy got absesses in his feet, but he was laminitic and had cushings.
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Yep - negative for Cushings which is great - so maybe its just an age related thing...but if its something he's now going to be prone to and get a bout a month, then its not fair on him at all.
 
Yes, as comment above! If negative for Cushings (which would have been my first thought, as first signs of it in 30yr old ISH were repeated abscesses), I would get your forage tested.

It has made a great difference to my horse - he got a series of abscesses over the last year and a half and I was at my wit's end. The ForagePlus minerals have made a visible difference to his hooves, and he has now been abscess free for 8 months. It's not just his hooves - he has improved topline and energy and small cuts and grazes - that would previously have taken weeks to clear - all now heal up within days. I think it's the extra zinc plus the lysine :D
 
agree re the minerals and talking to sarah at forage plus, she advised me and since I have been feeding the minerals we have been abscess free. This after 4 in less than 6 months prior to starting the minerals.
 
A horse I lost a few years ago at the age of 28 developed a propensity for abscesses in the last 5 years of his life; a pair of front shoes seemed to resolve the issue He lived out 24/7; was not lami but probably had/was heading for cushings.
 
Ask your vet for a Prascend trial - often the symptoms of PPID are visible long before the raised ACTH. In a horse PPID affects about 5 hormonal pathways of which ACTH is only one.
 
Thankyou so much for the replies - its really given me a lot to think about. I'll contact the forage lady and also speak to the vet about the trial Bruce mentioned in the morning.
Animalintex on tonight so hopefully that will help and the farrier is coming back Tuesday to fix front shoes.
Poor boy - just want to get him comfortable again.
 
Irishbabygirl said:
Hi all,

I'm a bit worried about my old retired Belgium Warmblood. He's 24 and has really began to show his age just this summer :-(

This morning, it appears he has developed what will be his third foot abscess in the last two months! I called the farrier, who's coming out later this afternoon. This one is in his left hind, as was the last one, and the one before that was in his right fore.

Luckily he's not "hopping" on it (yet), but I'm a bit worried given his age that they will be reoccurring? Has anyone else found this in older horses?

I've been reading old threads on here and having a Google and the common thought is that they can be Laminitis or Cushings related - neither apply here as the vet came for the last abcess he suffered two weeks ago (as his whole leg swelled up and I was convinced it was something more sinister) and he confirmed it definitely wasn't Laminitis, and took a blood for Cushings - which was thankfully negative.

My farrier is suggesting putting front shoes on him, which I'm not opposed to, but would be a shame as he's been barefoot since he retired four years ago. But the last two abscesses have been in his left hind, so unless I shoe him all round, this is unlikely to help.

He's also on two Bute a day for Arthritis...and he's still having his good days and not so good days bless him. I just hate seeing him uncomfortable...I can't really remember the last time I saw him trot across the field. I just don't know what to do for the best...
Click to expand...

I would agree with every one that has said minerals ,and think it may be worth feeding linseed for the arthritis it is a good anti inflammatory ,which should allow you to reduce the Bute.
 
My 22 year old TB had recurring abscesses in her front feet last year. She was his at the time. I put it down to the weather as it was so wet and her feet were quite soft. This year she is unshod for the first time and has so far been abscess free.

I hadn't really considered that it was related to her age but will now keep that in mind if she does have any more.
 
What sort of trim is your farrier doing? If he is touching the sole or frog or rasping from the top this will weaken the foot. I agree with getting the vits and mins sorted. The pasture could be your problem. There is a bit more to a healthy barefoot horse than just having his shoes off. He will need thick strong soles to stop abscesses, shoes will not help with that.
 
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