Other Recurring Abscess

Discussion in 'Farrier Advice For Horses With Lameness Issues' started by Delight Craddock, May 21, 2012.

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    Delight Craddock New Member

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    Hi! I am working with a lovely 12 y/o Irish TB who seems to have a recurring abscess and I would like to know if this can be "managed". It is always located on the right hind and blows out above the coronet band. It also only seems to happen when it is wet and muddy out. I've had horses for years but no abscesses ever. He will be moving into my barn the end of summer so I can control his environment but for now I can't. Since he has this issue is it likely it will continue to happen? He's not mine so I haven't consulted the vet but I can do that in Aug. Any advice? He is shod now, but I am going to move him to Epona shoes when he arrives.
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    Mr. Perry Active Member

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    first an x-ray to determine detriment to P 3. Horses feet mirror their enviroment. so a soft flexible shoe will give ya a soft fexible foot; REALLY!:confused:
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    Eric Russell Active Member

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    why?
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    Thomas Opinionated and I know it

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    So you need to identify the root cause of the abscessing.

    Wet and soft isn't the root cause. IF it were then everything I own would be abscessing about 7 months of every year.

    Abscesses are serious infections and you can manage your horse to eliminate the risk.
    Hoof abscesses are pockets of pus that form in response to bacteria accumulation. The bacteria gain access to the hoof through any breach of the capsule, such as a tiny crack or a puncture wound in the sole or separation or damage caused to the internal structure. As the bacteria multiply, pus builds in an area that has no room for it.

    Left untreated, the pus will eventually work its way out, often through the coronary band if the abscess is high in the hoof, or the sole of the foot if it is low.

    Ordinarily when folks say there horse has recurring abscesses, that is not the case and its normally because the original abscess was not sufficiently drained and the pus simply built up again over time.

    If the original drainage hole was not big enough, it may have resealed before all the pus escaped. An abscess can also form several pockets within the hoof. Unless each chamber is drained, the abscess will form again. A foreign body in the hoof can also lead to recurring abscesses (and an X ray will reveal only objects with a mineral content--rocks and metal, but not wood.) Likewise structual alterations/injuries such as rotation of the pedal bone can cause damage and infection and abscessing.
    If there's no sign of an entry wound then do not invade the foot by probing round to findwhere the abscess is as that in itself is likely to increase the risk of infection and just cause further problems. However this would be quite different though if there is a sign of entry.

    If a horse is grossly overweight, has had laminitic episode, has poor trimming, poor foot conformation, then its feet can crack or otherwise disintegrate and become damaged and including such as internal structures and bone rotation and this trauma allows bacteria into the foot and abscessing. In those circumstances an x ray is advisable to see what is going wrong.

    Having dry standing or good protection will mean that the sole of the foot is likely to be harder and so standing on such as a sharp pebble or a stick is less likely to be invasive.

    I also don’t understand why you’re considering getting plastic shoes on? That is all “Epona” is isn’t it? Unless it’s because you’re thinking of one that covers the majority of the sole of the foot.

    Then though I’d advise caution that you don’t do that without identifying and resolving the root cause.
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    Delight Craddock New Member

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    Thank you Thomas, for such great advice! You are why I come to Farriers Forum! I am by no means an expert on anything - just going by what I have been told. In my perfect world he will be able to go barefoot and that will be the case if the vet and farrier give me the go ahead. I was told that nails can increase hoof wall weakness and if going barefoot is not an option then the glue on shoes might be effective. I have a feeling that you might be correct and that there is/was a foreign body in there that hasn't been resolved properly. Again, I will have that checked by the vet as soon as the horse is on my property. He isn't overweight and he's never had laminitis, but there has definitely been some poor followup on trimming (he was barefoot and very cracked and flared out when I started working with him). I will methodically follow your advice and go step by step to determine the cause and see if we can't eliminate the problem.
    Again, thanks for your time and explanation. :)
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    Delight Craddock New Member

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    Because this is what two different farriers in my area suggested.
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    Delight Craddock New Member

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    Sorry I'm not an expert. :(
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    Karen Fletcher Active Member

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    Question; I know nothing about Eponas. Do they work better in some environments than others? What are the pros and cons?
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    Delight Craddock New Member

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    I agree - I'd love to hear more opinions.
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    Eric Russell Active Member

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    It's a piece of thick plastic. They seem to be popular amongst bare footers who realize they need protection but are sure steel is no good.
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    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

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    Eric, I think the Eponas have metal reinforcement, whereas most of the other plastic shoes I've seen don't.
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    Mr. Perry Active Member

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    That is what you will pay for if you have a vet out and x-ray ur horse. Then , hopefully, u will find an expert to apply good mechanics to the effected foot or feet. Make sure when you hire an "Expert" that he or she have made enough "mistakes" to be an expert!
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    Eric Russell Active Member

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    Yeah the piece of sheet metal is one of there selling points.
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    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

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    And they're designed by a non farrier, which makes the barefooters all warm and fuzzy. :sleep:
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    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

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    Pro- You don't need a forge and anvil for Eponas.

    Con- You can't use a forge and anvil for Eponas.
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    Platerforge Guest

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    Need x-rays to see if there is a deep abscess and find out if it is near the coffin bone, because it can infect the bone. It needs to be addressed properly.
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    Mr. Perry Active Member

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    Glad 'ur here but a touch late. Been covered....:rolleyes:
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    jack mac Guest

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    Great scene re-accruing abscess. Now can we have wardrobe & make-up down here to get those two actors ready for the next scene.
    Quiet!! on set, take one & action!!!.
    OMG what are those allergic to Iron going to use as hoof protection once they find out Eponas contain metal. Never fear my dear .My superhero advice never fails . Four card board cut out shoes & sticky tape will save your day. (make sure you zoom in & catch that tear in her eye for this line) Oh thank you Thomas, for such great advice! You are why I come to Farriers Forum!. And cut!!! great work crew that a rap.
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    jack mac Guest

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    Nothing wrong with the advice. Just sounded staged & if it was any cornier,we would of had a dozen dodgy Mexicans turn up to want to buy it.
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    George Spear Member

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    I'd be very concerned about eponas with the epona IM in a muddy environment. You are going to create a very anerobic environment that allows manure infused mud in. I'd much prefer an open shoe on a horse that is prone to abscessing.

    If you absolutely have to do the eponas for some reason liberally mix copper sulfate in to the IM but I'd just avoid them.

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