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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

The joy of abscesses

3 replies

KevinTheYuccaPlant · 12/12/2018 18:58

Dhorse tends to get one every couple of years. Historically we've gone with the farrier's advice of 'He has very thick soles, it'll track about sub-solar and then burst at the heel or coronet band. Don't poultice until after it bursts, then use a dry poultice. Keep him turned out and moving with bute, as the pumping action from the frog and heel compressing will help it work its way out faster.' This has typically produced a result within 2-3 days of him going lame.

We had the vet out this morning because they haven't seen him since his last tetanus in Feb 17 and so wouldn't prescribe bute over the phone. She confirmed abscess, probably right under the frog so didn't want to go digging for it (which the farrier will be pleased about), but wanted him wet poulticed, changed twice a day, and kept in to keep it clean. She's left me 2 weeks'-worth of bute!

What do you do with yours? Try and draw them out with wet poulticing or leave them alone until they work their way out? He's 24, retired and not shod if that makes a difference, and still lame on the bute, which historically has meant it's just about to pop.

OP posts:
GOODCAT · 12/12/2018 19:09

Mine is 28 and for a three year period (but not this year - hastily touches every piece of wood available) she has had several abscesses. I had multiple different vets out and my farrier. They all did it slightly differently. I won't keep her in because she has arthritis and is happier out and moving so I have ignored every vet who tells me that. In her case all the abscesses got dug out but none under the frog so it was usually pethadine and bandage for a few days followed by blue spray and bandage.

She now is on equimins hoof mender permanently and I have a better farrier (she isn't shod) and I use Kevin Bacon's regularly. I have also used hoof hardener despite my concerns over doing so. I will do anything not to have to deal with another abscess!

KevinTheYuccaPlant · 14/12/2018 19:55

It popped overnight Grin One very relieved pony!

OP posts:
Pasithea · 14/12/2018 23:33

Don’t you just love the smell. Lol

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