Hoof Abscesses

They CAN become a thing of the past!

Chic & BB bouncing around on stony ground. Photograph - Cathy Dee

Hoof Abscesses are one of the most frequent causes of sudden lameness, especially in Spring, Autumn or any time there are wet, muddy conditions.

They are an excruciatingly painful ordeal for the horse and it is distressing to see them suffer!

Since changing our management to keeping our horses on Tracks, hay and quality minerals, none of the 12 horses have had an abscess in 17 years!

Prior to 2008 these same horses were out on our NZ grass all year round. At some point over spring at least a couple of them would develop a nasty abscess.

The first sign of one brewing is the horse standing there pointing their toe, keeping their weight off that foot. Abscesses usually progress rapidly, the horse is soon extremely lame and not wanting to move. Pain relief is in order but often hardly seems to work at all.

The Key to NO MORE ABSCESSES (in no particular order as they are all equally important):

• A high hay diet to supply fibre for the hind-gut flora to ferment. A constant supply of coarse fibrous material is needed in order to be able to ferment ENOUGH to properly feed the horse. A very important by-product of this fermentation should be ample production of B- vitamins which are critical for the immune system to prevent and fight infections.

• A daily feed to provide what is lacking in hay including the Minerals & Amino Acids needed for overall health and to form keratin for strong, healthy hooves

• Good hoof care – regular trimming (4-5 weeks) so there is no flare in the hoof wall and therefore no stretched white line which becomes a point of entry for dirt, moisture and bacteria to get inside the hoof capsule – a recipe for infection

• Plenty of movement/exercise which is fundamental to overall good health

• A DRY standoff area where they can eat their hay over winter and wet spells. Standing around all day in wet moist conditions is conducive to abscesses