How to Treat a Coronary Hoof Abscess

A coronary hoof abscess is a dangerous bacterial infection that is often developed by a horse following an injury to the coronary, which is located where the hoof meets the skin. Some signs of a coronary hoof abscess are cuts or bleeding at the infection site, heat or swelling present along the coronary band, the horse refusing to put much weight on the injured leg and restlessness or moodiness. Any changes in your horse's behavior are cause for a medical examination. Since the coronary is responsible for the growth of the hoof, any abscess located there must be treated immediately. Abscesses can be treated without a veterinarian as long as the animal's improving and the it doesn't seem to be in pain.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket (large enough to fit a horse's hoof)
  • Epsom salts
  • Gentle Idiodine
  • Bandages
  • Veterinary tape
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the shoe from the hoof that is displaying the abscess. Improper shoeing is one cause of hoof abscesses and leaving the shoe on allows the infection to develop further.

    • 2

      Mix a bucket with 3 gallons of warm water and 5 cups of Epsom salts. Place the horse's hoof into the bucket and allow it to soak for ten minutes. Remove the hoof from the bucket and dry it off, leaving it on a clean, dry towel.

    • 3

      Apply a paste made from 1/4 cup of Epsom salts and one cup of gentle Iodine to the abscess. You can obtain gentle Iodine, which is only 1 percent real Iodine, at any veterinary supply store. Once the abscess is covered with the poultice, wrap the coronary in clean bandages. You can secure this first with veterinary tape and then with duct tape.

    • 4

      Remove the poultice and the bandage two times each day and apply a new poultice and bandage. Continue this treatment for one week. If the abscess has not improved, see your veterinarian to ask about other treatment options.

    • 5

      Continue to exercise your horse each day, but do it gently. Do not ride it or make it run---slow walks on soft ground are best. Horses with coronary band abscesses require rest, proper nutrition and the medical care you'll give them.