Turnout boot to protect hole in hoof??

[Victoria25]

Need a turnout boot for my boy – had an abscess which vet/farrier has seen to which has now fully drained but need to get him out and about in the poorly paddock – its for a rear foot (small hole in toe area) – just to keep mud out until fully healed. Any ideas which to go for? x

 

[Dancing Queen]

not the green jute/fabric one with a plastic clip on the side - useless!!

 

[Dizzydancer]

iv just got some keratex hoof putty for my boy, he has a front foot abscess which is now drained but he is still alittle sore on it. He will be going out with that on tomorrow. A few friends have used it and it lasts a few days apparently forming a solid plug!

 

[ThePony]

Could you plug it with something breathable like cotton wool to keep the muck out?

If not and you would like to cover the hoof, how about something like this?
http://www.totally-tack.co.uk/acatalog/equiboot_from_shires_equestrian.html
or one of these?
http://www.brighteyesandbobtails.co.uk/acatalog/Poultice_Boots.html

Failing that, could you just use some old feed sack and gaffertape around the hoof? Guess it depends on your ground conditions and how long you want something to stay on for?

 

[AshTay]

not the green jute/fabric one with a plastic clip on the side - useless!!

I actually found these ok. I would still wrap the hoof up with some padding and vetwrap and duck tape (the edge of the hoof wears the boot out quickly)and also ducktape over the plastic clip to keep it closed. Remove everything and re-wrap everyday though.

 

[Victoria25]

Ooooh well got Keratex putty in first aid box already so may just leave him in for another few days just to make sure it's all out then stick some of that in and gaffa tape over the top for good measure just so he can go out during the day! Vets back tonight to do teeth so will double check with him (poor horsey, he's in the wars) x

 

[Victoria25]

Thanks the pony, yer seen both of these but are they good for back feet too or does it not matter? x

 

[Dizzydancer]

thats what my farrier recommended. Can i just ask is your horse perfectly sound now or still abit sore on hard ground?
My boy had his burst on saturday and now nothing drianing out. He is sound in the arena walk, trot, canter and sound on grass but on concrete in trot he is a tad sore probably only 1/10th lame

 

[Clava]

I have always used a nappy, thick plastic bag and duct tape for hoof protection following an abcess, I wouldn't buy boots just for that (evene though I use hoof boots regularly). I too have a pony with a small hole in his sole on a hind hoof, I have plugged it with cotton wool and sudocreme.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Either bung hole up and put elephant tape all over it . It forms a boot and foot stays nice and dry

failing that get a old mac boot

 

[Victoria25]

Well this morning was the first that his animalintex was completely clear so Im going to perhaps wait a few more days and just keep him going out for an hour in morning/afternoon (during muck out times) and keeping him moving ... maybe by weekend if he's OK will let him go out for the afternoon not 100% sound as yet

 

[Dizzydancer]

ok! A tip for you just spoken to a groom friend about my boy, she said turn out with small amount of bran mixed with whiskey and make it into a paste then put in foot and vet wrap it on that acts like a pain relieving method and reduces swelling and bruising! She is full of random ideas!! most work though

 

[misst]

Hoofeze boot from equine podiatry supplies did well for us. It stayed put on a fiesty 2yo in the mud and snow in January. It is not meant to be used for turnout but it was the only thing that stayed on. He did not slip in it either.

 

[Starwind]

car tyre/tractor tyre inner tube's are fab. stretchy and waterproof. plugging and keeping clean with nappy and bandage workd for my boy. Oh and tubbing with warm salt water to clean any debris out..he loves it,,just like a mini foor spa for him...Good Luck..Pain in the bum eh...

 

[Tnavas]

Try this - easy and cheap to make and hard wearing

 

[Victoria25]

Oh brill ideas ... thanks guys

Abscess now fully drained (last three changes completely clear) so just need to get him back out during the day xx

 

[ISHmad]

Red Horse Products have a natural product which you can use to plug abcess holes. Has some fibre mixed in with it to keep it in place.