Hoof abcess in the frog area?

Question

My horse has an abcess in the frog region of his hoof. It looks like it has already surfaced and burst. A friend of mine recommended I have the blacksmith cut it out. If that is the right route, how do I take care of it afterward? My horse is strangely not even lame! How long would it take before that type of abcess is healed especially if I can't judge it by my horse's lack of lameness? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

My horse a few yrs back got a abscess, once broke my farrier and vet said keep clean, soak twice daily with Epsom salts and warm water.  But yours not being sore at all says it might be healed, but I would for a few days soak it just in case there is a very small opening and you don't want infection set in.  To answer all your questions it's best to have the farrier take a look.  They can give you the best advice from looking.  Best of luck

Answer 2

A TB at my barn also had a hoof abcess and had to get it cut and drained buy the blacksmith, and she didn't go lame....after it was drained they had to poultice the hoof by making sure the temperature wasn't painfully hot then applied it with gauze and a dressing on top.....then they bandaged the hoof so the poultice stayed in place and used a crepe bandage...then to help for removal of the poultice they applied petroleum jelly over the heel just on the outside........then once the bandage is in place if possible get a poultice boot to keep the bandage clean and from becoming infected....if you do not have a boot then you can use a plastic bag with a pad at the front to stop it from being torn...its also a great idea to clean out the hole reguarly and using a piece of antiseptic cotton which will help the wound grow over faster...these items that you will need are carried by your local vet and most times the blacksmith also...good luck with your horse!!!..............it took about one and a half weeks for the horse to fully heal when the abcess was covered and there was no visible sign of an opening.......if your horse isn't lame then it will probably heal faster...but when the sore is closed you can safetly ride your horse again!

Answer 3

First of all use some Iodine if you have any.  Call your equine veterinarian.  Then call your blacksmith.  Your veterinarian should be the one to physically treat the issue. The blacksmith can help you to cover the wound properly so that it may heal.  You shouldnt have to haul your horse to the vet.  Some of them will come to you but that might only be in emergency situations and if your horse isn't lame then you might have to haul them in.  But it shouldnt take long and you will have a peace of mind.

EDIT to Add. Details added...You shouldnt ride your horse even if he's not limping untill you contact your vet.  You don't want to make the issue any worse.  What I would do in your situation and I have done this before is I have called my vet and described the issue over the phone and ask them if there are any treatments I can do on my own and I would ask them about whether or not it is safe to ride and if they feel that the horse needs to be seen by them or if they feel that home care is ok with just you or the blacksmith.  Whenever My horses had a wound ( theres been several) I remember I always had to flush it with iodine.  Its that red nasty stuff.   Someone suggested soaking it in salt.  This could help too.  Hope this helps.  You can email me if you have anymore questions.

Answer 4

Your farrier should absolutely look at it.  Then you should soak it in hot/warm water and epsom salts twice a day to draw out the infection.  Pack and Wrap the foot in clean gauze covered with duct tape between soakings.  You just don't want it ot close up again until it is completely healed.  Abcesses are at their most painful before they burst.  If you have ever had an abcessed tooth then you can imagine the type of pain the horse feels in his foot.  Once the abcess bursts the pressure is relieved and much of the pain goes with it.  But the infection is still in there and needs to drain out to heal.

Answer 5

Call your farrier and vet. You dont want an infection to spread!

Answer 6

Work with both your vet and farrier on this....the abscess should be cut out to the degree that it can be, and a medication to draw out any remaining infection will probably be prescribed....you may need to keep the sole covered for awhile to keep debris out.....but that is up to the vet and the farrier to determine.  It's the hoof, so I would do everything with professional guidance.

Answer 7

Well you are on the right track seeing the help and opinion of other horse lovers and owners.  This issue is resolved by both your veteranarian and your farrier.  If they have already burst, you need to call your vet and find out what to do from there, and see if they need to look at it.  After you have called your vet, call also your farrier, he will be able to come help you care for it so you don't have major problems with it in the future.  Once things become a big mess they are hard to clean up.  You can never go wrong by asking the professionals.  

Hope this helps you.

And hope your horse heals quickly.