Posted 2005-05-21 12:40 AM (#25405) Subject: abcess or bruise ?
Member
Posts: 8
I have 6yr old paint mare that for the last 3yrs has had an abcess in the same foot same spot. farrier says it cuz of the way she walks, but this year it the opposite foot (usually front left now front right) with the abcess she'll limp a little bit but the next day she cant even walk on it.( i know when she has a abbcess and this doesnt seem like one) with this shes gimpy at a trot this has been going on for 1 1/2 weeks .she has plastic shoes on I noticed the limp checked out her foot notice the nails in the back where missing called farrier and he couldnt find any sore spots or hot spots,put she back on he thinks maybe one of the nails didnt fall out and she steped on it Ive been soaking in epson salt and using iodine then wraping and keeping her stalled for 5 days let her out today(still wrapped) still gimpy not as bad but she had no problem running across pasture at feeding time. what do you think tim to call vet Id like to take her camping next weekend. sorry so long
Posted 2005-05-21 10:54 AM (#25422 - in reply to #25405) Subject: RE: abcess or bruise ?
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
If the mare has been lame for 3 years, either switch farriers or retire her to a broodmare band. I've never had an abcess come back on a horse for three solid years! CALL THE VET!
Posted 2005-05-21 11:04 AM (#25424 - in reply to #25405) Subject: RE: abcess or bruise ?
Member
Posts: 8
she only gets lameonce a year every mayish(muddy and mucky spring)fine the rest of the year. I thought about a new farrier but hes been doing all three of my horses this one since shes been born she seems to have started this since we stared riding her.
Posted 2005-06-16 9:28 AM (#26659 - in reply to #25405) Subject: RE: abcess or bruise ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366
Location: Albany, Oregon
My wife has a mare with the same issues. We live in a wet area with dirt (mud) and no rocks. Every spring we head to eastern Oregon were the rocks are plentiful. The mare seems to have a softer sole than my horse. Our (good) farrier sent us to the vet for some (sp)Karatex or Caratex somthing like that. Put it on and amazing how it helps! It seems to Harden the sole.
Posted 2005-06-21 5:29 PM (#26890 - in reply to #25405) Subject: RE: abcess or bruise ?
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
You can also aply turpentine, the active ingredient in paint thinners, with a small paintbrush to the bottom of the sole twice a day. It'll help harden the soles.
Posted 2005-06-21 6:31 PM (#26896 - in reply to #25405) Subject: RE: abcess or bruise ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378
Location: Nebraska
I would recommend shoeing for protection, an oversized shoe, bar shoe, or shoe and pad, but not a plastic pad. plastic causes the foot to sweat and moisture will weaken the sole further and thursh can become a problem. Either leave the middle of the pad open or pack it with peet moss and seal it with pine tar. Don't let them use silicone, it is irritating to the outer layers of the foot. Turpentin is a good batercidal, but it can burn the coronary band and the bulb of the foot.