How can you best care for your horse? World of Showjumping asked several highly experienced grooms to share their tips & tricks. In the sixth part of this series we focus on to medical care and how to handle hoof abscesses.
“Luckily, I haven’t had so many horses with hoof abscesses. However, when it has happened, Epsom salt in warm water to draw the abscess out, followed by a hot Animalintex, cotton, vet wrap and the EquiFit Pak-N-Stick work like a dream. If I have a bigger problem, FarmVet’s Epsom Salt Poultice has to be one of the most necessary things in my trunk. It draws infection and bruising out quick and effectively. It is also good to use after jumping on hard ground, if we are unlucky to have this.”
“Epsom salt bath – if the horse is willing to stand in it – is excellent at drawing the abscess out and healing the area fast afterwards. Animalintex was made for this, so I would use this after the Epson salt bath. Note when using Animalintex, always soak it in boiling water and allow to cool before use.”
“You can’t control when a hoof abscess is going to occur... If your horse is lame, you can feel if the hoof is hot and check the pulse. If this is the case, call your farrier to come and look at the hoof. If it is an abscess, the farrier can help to make it open. Until then, you can put the hoof in cold water with baking soda. After that, you can wrap the foot with wet cotton and Betadine. Repeat this last point when the abscess is open so all the puss can come out.”
“I like to put the hoof in soda to make it soft and hopefully get the abscess out. I always put hoof soda in a bucket and leave the horse standing with the hoof in the bucket. Then I try to keep it as soft as I can with Animalintex and a hoof pack around. However, I have to say that my last hoof abscess was about 3,5 years ago. Luckily I haven’t had so many problems with this.”
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