update on hoof abscess bad decision on my part :(

[Crackajack]

This has been an interesting thread...lots of different opions!

So in hindsight as it is meant to help people in future...

I rode - hacked - my horsey last night...

Got back lame - wasn't lame whilst riding - always check before during and after hence why i noticed due to him being an ex-trotter!

Cant put weight on his foot...

Nothing out of normal on legs...

Foot is only just luke warm compared to other stone cold....around the coronet band area on either side...
Lump on LHS of frog....

Been lucky - never had to deal with an abscess on my own horse but been involved and helped others....doubting myself...but i think thats wot it is...

Farrier on his way but this is Malta - everything takes an age there's never a rush so looking to try and figure it out as much as myself to try and prevent it becoming a major issue

Abscess - yes or no?

 

[smellsofhorse]

Be happy its now sorted.

But I would have called the vet or farrier much sooner.

If you believed it was an abcess, yes the farrier would be cheaper to call out and drain.
But also with an on going lameness the vet is the best person to call.

 

[guesstimation]

So many different views on farriers/trimmers etc. Personally if I had a experienced, long term trusting relationship with a trimmer or farrier I'd stick with them, they know the horse, the owner and they really know that horses feet. Not sure how people can say never use trimmer again when blatantly works with the vet and will know the horses foot inside out with records. I know who I'd put my faith in.

Thanks Terri may well take you up on that when feeling up to it x

 

[smellsofhorse]

This has been an interesting thread...lots of different opions!

So in hindsight as it is meant to help people in future...

I rode - hacked - my horsey last night...

Got back lame - wasn't lame whilst riding - always check before during and after hence why i noticed due to him being an ex-trotter!

Cant put weight on his foot...

Nothing out of normal on legs...

Foot is only just luke warm compared to other stone cold....around the coronet band area on either side...
Lump on LHS of frog....

Been lucky - never had to deal with an abscess on my own horse but been involved and helped others....doubting myself...but i think thats wot it is...

Farrier on his way but this is Malta - everything takes an age there's never a rush so looking to try and figure it out as much as myself to try and prevent it becoming a major issue

Abscess - yes or no?

Sounds like it could well be.
Sudden dramatic lameness.
No obvious trips or knocks when ridden.

Hot tub and poultice it.

If farrier cant find it or isnt sure then get vet.

 

[devonlass]

Again thank you for all the helpful replies,not so much for the other type.

Personally I would be very disappointed by the foot trimmer for not pointing out your judgement error much earlier./

I'd sack your trimmer, they've been more than useless.
Farrier every time, they are trained far better than any vet for matters relating to feet.

Perhaps read what I've already written regarding my trimmer and her action and tell me how she's been worse than useless?? Maybe I did not explain the sequence of events well (if so I apologise),but there really was no fault on the part of my trimmer.

No farrier I've ever met has been as skilled,patient and such a horse person as my trimmer,and anyone who knows her says the same INCLUDING my vets,who are also a large and very reputable equine practice in my area.

I would not let a "trimmer" anywhere near my horses feet. Vet's and farriers go through extensive training to do what they do ( and I am extremely lucky to have a brill farrier and vet practice)

I hope your horse gets well soon. Its to be cold, dry and frosty so you may get your horse out for a bit turnout. Good luck xx

That is your choice of course,personally I would not let a farrier do a working barefoot trim on my horse when I have trimmer who has undergone years of training,and does a wonderful job.We all have our preferences
As mentioned my own vets recommend and use her for remedial and rehab work.

I very much hope the weather does turn cold and dry,I would even prefer snow blizzards to all this rain!!

Apologies for any spelling or grammar errors (or indeed tone,I am aware I get tetchy when tired!!) just finished a night shift but wanted to respond particularly about my trimmer as would hate her to be thought of badly or have judgement passed that she didn't deserve.
I am happy to take blame myself,but totally unfair to involve her or discredit her work.

 

[Maesfen]

Again thank you for all the helpful replies,not so much for the other type.

Personally I would be very disappointed by the foot trimmer for not pointing out your judgement error much earlier.

No farrier I've ever met has been as skilled,patient and such a horse person as my trimmer,and anyone who knows her says the same INCLUDING my vets,who are also a large and very reputable equine practice in my area..

You haven't met my farrier then as he is all and more that you describe and recommended widely by many vets in the area. The difference between them is that he would have told me straight what needed doing and I wouldn't have thought that I knew better than him as you did with your trimmer so therefore I apologise to your trimmer, she wasn't to blame except for not asserting herself in the horse's best interests.

I hope horse is better soon.

BTW, yes, you LATER clarified your trimmer's actions but my reply was from your opening post, long before the clarification.

 

[Orangehorse]

Don't blame yourself. My horse had an abscess, I called the vet straight away as he was in so much pain - would not put hoof to the floor, sweating.

Six weeks later, X rays, etc. we were still chasing it round his foot .......................... He did come sound in the end, and then a few weeks later the bottom of his foot fell out, where the infection had spread and separated the growing sole.

 

[amandap]

If there is a subsolar abscess (or severe bruising/bleeding, think bruised very thin soles here) then the sole will often shed at some point when a new one has grown underneath.

 

[criso]

It's very easy in hindsight to say what should have been done.

I had the other end of the scale where a farrier took alot of sole and most of the frog off digging for an abscess. Left my horse lame and bleeding and having to wear boots and pads for weeks till everything grew back. It took a long time till the frog was back to what it was before.

It popped at the heel nowhere near any of his excavations and presumably would have done anyway.

If I'd posted at that time there would be people criticising me for allowing my farrier to do that and pointing out what I know now and didn't then that he was not authorised to go into soft tissue like he did.