Worried with lame mare.

jillygem

jillygem

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My mare has been lame for 2 weeks now and only shows signs in trot. Slight heat in front hoof so had the vet out 1 1/2 weeks ago, she paired the foot to find a small bruise on the inside edge of her off fore. Have been tubbing the foot twice a day for 15 mins and put her on some anti-inflammatory. Still lame 1 week ago so had the farrier take a look, she again assured me it was only a bruise and to carry on the tubbing. Carried on with the tubbing and also applied a hot poultice at night to try to help. In the morning found a gooey clear gel like substance on the poultice at either side of her frog. Can you tell me if this is normal for a bruise or could it have developed into an abscess? Mare is getting slightly more sound each day but am slightly concerned as am putting her to stud next week and want her to be sound before she goes.

Sorry for the rambling and hope you can help in any way!
 
My experience of absesses is that you will know by the discharge (ie if you have to ask it probably isn't puss on the poultice) if it has burst and the horse becomes much sounder very quickly.

My experience of bruised feet is that they can take a very long time to heal. Especially if the ground is hard and your horse is out - it may well keep 'shocking' the bruise.

I have always found with lameness that time and patience (and box rest) is the best healer ... sorry possibly isn't what you want to hear!
 
Thanks canteron. Although not really what i want to hear is good to hear you dont think it could be an abscess. Think i am over worrying about everything this last few weeks as going off to stud for the first time. Getting better everyday with being in at nights and turned out into a small paddock during the day. She is being very good and not ramping around which i think is also helping.

Thanks again
 
I did this once, poultice a horses hoof and the same thing happend. I asked the farrier what it was and he said that it was from the muck (as in mud ect) from the frog and was drawing it out, nothing to worrie about it would happen to any horse even without an injury!!

He did explain it better than me and more tec than that but it was years ago now and cann't remember the wording he used. He also said only worrie if discharge has a colour to it, clear discharge is a sign that theres nothing there to draw out.

Hope your horse gets better soon X
 
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