How to Care for a Horse With Abcesses in the Hoof

Most horse owners don't realize their horse has an abscess until it "blows out" or the horse comes up lame. Abscesses typically run a predictable course. Caused by a puncture wounds and small debris, abscesses fester until the infection travels to below the skin. The abscess then "blows out," leaving a small wound. Most often the abscess exits by the bottom of the hoof or lower leg. Abscess leaving the hoof at the cornea band, can permanently lame a horse. Thankfully, the chances are slim for this to occur.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Hitching post/cross ties/friend
  • Halter and lead
  • Epson salt
  • Water source
  • Vetrap
  • Cotton bandaging
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Recognize the symptoms of a horse with abscesses or receive a diagnosis of abscesses from a certified vet. A vet may give your horse an antibiotic as well as drain the infection.

    • 2

      Find a bucket. Thicker plastic buckets work best. If this is the first time, the horse has had an abscess or leg injury that necessitate soaking his foot or leg in Epson salt, then choose an older one.

    • 3

      Halter your horse and lead him to a set of cross ties or to a hitching post or have a friend hold him.

    • 4

      Fill the bucket with water about halfway. Follow the instructions on the Epson salt bag or box. Use the recommended amount for the quantity of water. Make sure the water covers his hoof and any wounds from abscesses on his lower leg.

    • 5

      Drag or carry the water over to the horse. Place it just to the right of a horse's left legs or left of a leg on a horse's right side.

    • 6

      Ask the horse to lift his leg. Quickly, move the bucket into place with a space foot. Another person may be useful, if the horse is frightened or resistant. Encourage the horse to place his foot into the bucket by holding his leg between his fetlock and knee, directing the leg down. At minimum, the horse will try to remove hoof from the water. This is natural response. Apply pressure to the front of his leg either at top of the knee if it's bent. Don't force. Just keep moving the bucket and repeating the procedure.

    • 7

      Reward the horse with a pat and a kind word, when it places its foot into the water. If you get frustrated, walk way and try again later. Your emotions affect the horse, which it divines from your responses and actions.

    • 8

      Leave the foot in the water for around 20 minutes. If the horses get agitated, try shorter periods.Repeat daily until the abscess heals.

    • 9

      Wrap using vetrap and cotton bandaging. Place the cotton bandaging around the bottom of the hoof. Secure with vetrap. Use duct tape to ensure the wrap remains on the hoof. Do not wrap the entire hoof with duct tape, just the tip and parts of the bottom. This step is optional though recommended as it keeps dirt from getting into the wound