Turnout with an abscess

[windand rain]

Would still pour in some hydrogen peroxide then just leave it well alone after all it will only do one of two things it will either resolve completely because it is draining or the dirt will get in a cause it to fill again which in the face of things was going to happen anyway if the poultice is coming off so quickly, It is cleaner covered in mud than standing in a pooey stable anyway. I wouldnt worry if his tetanus is up to date and he is happy outside

 

[canteron]

To late for tomorrow, but maybe having one of these in your vetkit?

http://www.littleyellowtackshop.co.uk/relief-boot.php?gclid=CPbZisn-s7QCFcbLtAodSWgALg

Haven't tried them, but I have a horse with abscess too which I am trying to manage over Christmas, and this looks as if it may work!!!

 

[Rebels]

Net tex make a spray which cleans and seals an abscess, found it to be very good as i have one who rips off any pad with his teeth! Very useful as prevents infection reentering and i tend to tub, dry it then spray it. If i can get a dry dressing on i will but doesnt sound like that would work for yours.

 

[TwoStroke]

Thanks folks - will stock up on some of those products for the future. Seen footskins on equine podiatry supplies which look like they might be useful.

Merry Christmas and good luck to everyone battling abscesses!

 

[dressedkez]

I tried turn-out with an abcess in the summer (ha ha -was not dry at all) I use cheap as chips babies nappies to cover the foot - which works well, but not outside. My horse was lame for 6 weeks, week one got the farrier to it, he found the source of the abcess and I treated it on a daily basis with poultice and nappy and turned it out - did not recover. Got the vet out, 1 week in, poultice (nappy) treated, stabled, and then a course of farriers formula - feet lovely now (touch wood) !

 

[Flame_]

I'd do the horses twice a day if they needed doing twice a day, which in these circumstances they obviously do. Or I would arrange for someone else to cover for me. Or I'd put the horse on emergency full livery if myself or someone trusted were unavailable. I wouldn't just do them once and hope for the best, that is selfish and irresponsible.

 

[Cello_song]

I had a similar problem a few years ago and I bought an 'equi wellie'. Its a boot that goes over the poultice and up the leg, it fastens like a brushing boot. Not sure if they are still available but google it and see!

 

[whiteclover]

I know how your feeling op. My horse is slightly lame, vet came out Friday and said there's some dirt got into the previous abscess hole which he had abouta month ago. My horse also lives out and cant come in due to breathing problems. Anyway vet gave me some bute and his last one is due tomorrow. Hes been hot tubbed. He seems okay on the bute until I turned him in a tight circle and he went a bit footy again. Barefoot trimmers coming Saturday Im hoping she'll be able to tell me what to do now.

Im getting so fed up of abscesses and this blummin weather.

 

[Nickijem]

I am in a similar situation. Horse had an abscess 5 weeks ago. Farrier found the source and dug it out. Poulticed and hot tubbed for a week then had shoe put back on. He has been almost sound until yesterday when he came in hopping lame again. Have hot tubbed and poulticed again but am going on holiday on Saturday. I don't really want to leave my friend who is looking after him with the job of hot tubbing and poulticing as he isn't all that easy to do sometimes. But I don't want to miss my holiday either!
Not sure what to do!

 

[amandap]

What about these? I'm afraid I don't know how robust they are but I'm going to get some for my first aid kit. http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Boots/Footskins

 

[whiteclover]

What about these? I'm afraid I don't know how robust they are but I'm going to get some for my first aid kit. http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Boots/Footskins

They look good. I had a canvas hoof boot but my old horse used to go through those quite quickly even with about 2 other layers on and the boot on top.

Nickijinglebell - its a nightmare I hate winter. I just wish the ground would dry up.

 

[Tnavas]

The 'Inner Tube' poultice boot is really good - will stay on for days and the foot rarely ever wears through. The one I currently have has done a couple od abscesses.

Secret to getting an absces clean, drained and healed is to be really clean.
Scrub foot, then tub, apply a topical antibiotic (sort used for mastitis) then poultice. Seal well, change at least daily once draining.

When horse is sound and has been for a few days, and poultice clean, have farrier plug hole with stockholm tar ans cotton wool. The foot must not touch the ground from when the poultice comes off to when farrier plugs it. If he needs to put th efoot down then place it on a clean feed sack. If the horse is wearing shoes then apply a thick layer of Stockholm tar to foot, cover with cottonwool and a leather pad, then shoe, seal the gap between pad and heel with Stockholm tar. Works every time.

 

[Fii]

We very successfully made a boot with duct tape, but not in a pre-done square , there was only one problem , the duct tape was bright orange, and when he first saw his foot, the stupid horse tried to shy at it!

 

[marmalade76]

I've kept a poultice on whilst out in the wet and mud with silege wrap patch tape. It's wide (as wide as my pone's foot), very strong and very sticky, even in the wet. You should be able to get it from any agricultural merchants. One thing to watch with it, though, if it's very cold, keep it at home. When we had that last frost the glue froze and the tape became brittle and it wouldn't unwind off the roll.

 

[Tnavas]

We very successfully made a boot with duct tape, but not in a pre-done square , there was only one problem , the duct tape was bright orange, and when he first saw his foot, the stupid horse tried to shy at it!

My youngster did that the first time I put white bandages on him - I was trying to get some nice photos of him moving out in the paddock - he happily obliged then he stopped, put his head down to graze and saw his front legs - he jumped backwards and started reversing at a high rate of knots - it was so comical

 

[bubbilygum]

When horse is sound and has been for a few days, and poultice clean, have farrier plug hole with stockholm tar ans cotton wool. The foot must not touch the ground from when the poultice comes off to when farrier plugs it. If he needs to put th efoot down then place it on a clean feed sack. If the horse is wearing shoes then apply a thick layer of Stockholm tar to foot, cover with cottonwool and a leather pad, then shoe, seal the gap between pad and heel with Stockholm tar. Works every time.

I did exactly this with mine, worked a treat. I was worried about mud getting under the pad, but farrier assured me it wouldn't - I thought "yeah, whatever!" But he was right! Foot was clean and dry when pad came off, I was amazed! My horse has soles like coral since his lami episode and I periodically tar his feet to plug any holes and keep the water out. Love Stockholm tar, it is brilliant stuff!

 

[TwoStroke]

Didn't realise this was still going!

Well, I did the irresponsible and selfish thing, and went out once a day and spent most of Christmas drunk on champagne. Horse is back in now & appears none the worse for wear - still sound (and thoroughly enjoyed his Christmas in the field). Poultice is coming off clean, too, so abscess appears to have finished draining.

Hopefully it'll heal well and no harm done.

 

[Fii]

TBH i think horses with abscesses are better off out any way!

 

[Tnavas]

TBH i think horses with abscesses are better off out any way!

Definitely better so long as the abscess can drain and stay clean and free from mud