While we all try our best to manage our horse’s feet properly and feed the highest quality grains and supplements, chances are we may still encounter one or more common hoof ailments. Here’s a short list with practical instructions on how to deal with the most common and acute ailments.
Stone Bruise
If your horse does not have adequate sole thickness, he will be prone to bruising. Flat footed horses are also more prone to bruising. Hoof testers can be used to localize the area of soreness and very gentle paring with a hoof knife should uncover the extent of the bruised area. If the bruising is in a one half moon shape across the entire toe, it indicates a more serious internal problem with the hoof (consult your farrier or veterinarian if this is the case). The best treatment for bruising is protection in the form of a boot or pad. Otherwise you will need to keep your horse stalled on soft bedding until the soreness is completely gone.
The homeopathic remedy Arnica is very helpful in simple bruising. This remedy helps the body reabsorb the blood or serum from a bruised area. This speeds healing and reduces pain. If a bruise is particularly painful, you can soak the foot in a saturated solution of epsom salts to decrease the soreness. If your horse won't hold his foot in a bucket, you can put 2-3 TBS of dry epsom salts in a few ounces of water and wrap this onto his foot.
Sometimes horses can get very deep bruises, especially if they lose a shoe on rough ground. These deep bruises also occur after extended periods of wet weather followed by hot, dry weather. During the wet weather, the horse's feet soften then get badly bruised as the ground gets hard and uneven. Sometimes these bruises don't show up with a hoof tester because they are very deep. Suspect a deep bruise if your horse is lame on one foot and has an increased digital pulse but no obvious heat or swelling. Regular soaking and 2-3 weeks off will generally resolve a deep bruise.
Abscess
A hoof abscess will generally be more painful and hot than a bruise. There may be swelling above the hoof. Again hoof testers are used to locate the abscess and a hoof knife is used to open the abscess so it can drain. Once an abscess has been opened and drained, the hoof should be kept bandaged until healing is complete. Epson salt soaks or poultices can be used if your horse is still sore after the abscess is opened. Tetanus toxoid should be given if your horse has not had one in the previous year. I do not recommend antibiotics as they actually interfere with the natural maturing process of the abscess. Most abscesses will resolve quickly once they open and drain. Homeopathy can also be used for stubborn cases.
Cracks
In my experience, these are almost always due to injury or unbalanced feet. A healthy hoof should not crack. If your horse has an otherwise healthy hoof, examine the coronary band carefully above the crack. It will generally be jammed up higher than the adjacent area. Corrective shoeing may be needed to alleviate this condition.
Thrush
This is a bacterial or fungal infection of the foot that can be extremely painful. The affected horse will have a foul smelling dark discharge around the frog. The tissue around the frog and heel will also appear very unhealthy. These horses should be moved to a dry area and the foot should be cleaned daily. Water and a mild soap is your best choice for cleaning the greasy discharge. Use a soft scrub brush to get into the crevices. You may need your farrier to trim the frog back to healthy tissue, as any dead tissue contributes to bacterial growth and makes it harder to clean the area. Because thrush can be related to a weakened immune system, it is a good idea to evaluate your horse’s rations and consider a supplement such as blue-green algae.
About the Author
Madalyn Ward, DVM, owns Bear Creek Veterinary Clinic in Austin, Texas. She is certified in Veterinary Homeopathy and Equine Osteopathy. Memberships include American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinay Medical Association and the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. She has authored several books and publishes the monthly newsletter, “Holistic Horsekeeping.”
Contact
Madalyn Ward DVM
11608 FM 1826
Austin, TX 78737
303-575-1170
www.holistichorsekeeping.com
www.horseharmony.com
www.horseharmonytest.com
www.yourhorsebook.com
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