Natural Hoofcare

Partially From: http://www.hoofabscess.com --

1. What is a Hoof Abscess

A hoof abscess is a localized bacterial infection in the sensitive structures of the hoof. Purulent fluid (pus) is produced as a reaction by the horse’s body to the infection. The pus accumulates between the keratinized and germinal layers of the hoof wall. Since the hoof cannot expand, the increased pressure of pus collecting within the hoof capsule causes significant pain.

The pus will take the path of least resistance to relieve the pressure and if left untreated, will usually work its way up the hoof wall, breaking out at the coronary band or the bulbs of the heel.

Most abscesses are found in the sole of the hoof, but an abscess can be found elsewhere.

2. Signs of a Hoof Abscess

Typical signs of a hoof abscess include sudden and severe lameness and pain. The horse bears little to no weight on the leg with the abscess or may walk on its toe.

Other signs include heat in the limb or hoof, an increased digital pulse, and can include a swollen leg and/or a low-grade fever. The tendons in the affected leg can become painful and swollen due to congestion of blood vessels.

As the abscess progresses, the infection and pressure of purulent fluid (pus) accumulation in the hoof often cause severe pain until the infection works its way up the hoof wall and pops out at the coronary band, or the bulb of the heel or drains out the sole.

3. Causes of a Hoof Abscess

A hoof abscess can be caused by a sharp object penetrating the sole of the hoof (such as a nail), damage to the corium from decreased blood flow, or by bacteria migrating in to the defects, fissures and cracks in the white line.

Sole penetration by a sharp object is not a very common scenario for a hoof abscess. More often, an abscess is a result of corium or lateral cartilage area compression or most frequently due to the introduction of bacteria and moisture in to the hoof.

If corium damage is the cause, the abscess scenario begins with internal hoof tissue dying because of compression and poor blood flow. Once blood flow returns to the area, the dead tissue is carried by pus to the outside of the hoof.

If the abscess is caused by bacteria migrating in to the hoof from the outside, a particle of sand or soil enters the softer white line area and becomes engrained in the sensitive lamina underneath the hoof wall, resulting in an infection inside the hoof. The infection can travel up the hoof and drain at the coronary band or stay close to the sole of the hoof. An abscess can also occur under the bars of the hoof.

The infection can enter as a result of a nail driven too close to the white line, a hoof wall defect or hoof separation. Horses that have been shod and then go barefoot tend to have an increased chance of developing a hoof abscess until the hoof becomes stronger.

Other less common factors can cause a hoof abscess, and many times the exact cause or point of origin will not be known.

4. Diagnosis of a Hoof Abscess

A hoof abscess can be diagnosed by examining the hoof for heat and pain, swelling in the pastern and fetlock and by the presence of a pronounced digital arterial pulse.
(PENZ NOTE: If horse is given an analgesic such as Phenybutazone there will be little to no pain relief evidenced.) --www.hoofabscess.com

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5. Treatment of a Hoof Abscess Naturally --www.barefoottrim.com
While many veterinarians and farriers like to open up the hoof capsule to find and relieve the pressure of the abscess this also opens up the hoof to secondary infections. Great care must be given following such treatment to prevent infection. If all the abscess exudate does not completely drain the abscess will repeat and possibly worsen.

Allowing the horse to move about as he or she naturally does will help to hasten the opening of the abscess and the subsequent recovery. Once the abscess has opened then it is necessary to keep the opening clean and free of mud, manure and other insultive materials. Soaking the hoof in a mixture of Calendula and water a couple times a day for a few days will ensure the bacteria will be eradicated and the new tissue will grow in quickly and soundly. After soaking a protective bandage can be applied with a boot to cover. Because the pain from the pressure inside the hoof has been remediated through the abscess opening, the horse will be more willing to resume his or her normal movement patterns. Continuing to encourage movement will help hasten the recovery.

Two Homepathic products work wonders in helping to resolve this issue --

Hepar sulph 200c given before the abscess has opened. Just one dose.
Silicea 200c given in one dose folloing eruption of the abscess to help resolve it.

If there is any swelling moving UP the extremity before the abscess has broken through then another remedy is useful - Ledum 200c. One dose. (Note: if the abscess is a result of an ongoing constitutional issue such as laminitis then another remedy than those listed above would be more appropriate. Discerning what remedy, out of thousands, is best left up to Hom. Veterinarian or Practitioner. Please consult with your Homeopathic Veterinarian.)

The following photo was taken just 4 months after the photo of the abscess at the top of this article. Correct trimming on a timely basis with correct husbandry for the horse helped to resolve this issue quickly.