HOOF ABSCESSES...

At one time or another you may have visited your horse and found them unwilling or unable to walk - instead hopping or hobbling along, looking extremely pitiful as if they've broken a leg. Apart from the obvious guess of soft tissue injury or indeed perhaps a wound or fracture - there maybe something else to consider - that a hoof abscess is developing.

Frustratingly, often there are no other signs of an abscess apart from a loss of function - a reluctance to place weight on the hoof, which can range from slight to extreme, depending on the stage at which the abscess has been discovered. In the first stages as well as pain, there will also most probably be redness, swelling or heat in the general area, which are the classic signs of inflammation. Sometimes these are visible or able to be felt, but more commonly the abscess is located too deeply and therefore it is impossible to see or feel these symptoms.

There may be a strong or bounding pulse in the lower leg [called the digital pulse] which is stronger or quicker from the pulse in the other legs. The digital pulse is located by feeling gently around the inside area of the limb when it is weighted, around where the long pastern bone is located. Finding the digital pulse is usually quite difficult, so if it's found very easily, that may in itself be an indication that the pulse is stronger than normal. It's a good idea to find the digital pulse and rate of beats per minute when the horse is well, so you can quickly ascertain when they are ill. Other signs can sometimes be a lack of interest in food, general lethargy or look of being unwell, or excessive thirst.

PHOTO OF HORSE PRIOR TO FIRST CORRECTIVE TRIM
This horse was plagued with recurring abscesses in the left front hoof [and in photo above was abscessing] due to infrequent and incorrect trimming. Often though, there are no observable symptoms of an abscess developing apart from a reluctance to place weight on the hoof

An abscess is simply an area of infection in an enclosed tissue space which the immune system encapsulates so as to limit damaging a more widespread area. The area is filled with pus comprised of dead immune defender cells, cell debris, serum, living and dead microbes etc and causes a great deal of pain for the horse, especially in the first stages. The responses triggered by the immune system isolate, inactivate and remove the causative agent and damaged tissue by digesting and disposing of abscess contents, as well as being removed via the lymphatic system.

Superficial abscesses tend to rupture through an area of least resistance such as the coronary band or white line, discharging the characteristic yellow/green coloured sticky fluid which has an offensive odour. Once the abscess has burst and is draining freely or the body has been able to resolve the inflammation, the pressure within the hoof capsule is relieved almost instantly.

PHOTO OF ABSCESS DRAINING [FROM UNKNOWN SOURCE]
This large and extreme case of an abscess has burst out from the coronary band most probably relieving the pain quickly. As long as the cause of the abscess has been removed, the hoof will heal well and most probably leave no residual effect

PHOTO OF HORSE PRIOR TO FIRST CORRECTIVE TRIM
Green dotted circle shows an old abscess growing out leaving no residual effect

Whilst an abscess is extremely painful for your horse in the first stages as the pressure within the hoof builds - once it has burst it will most probably resolve itself well over a few days and leave no residual effect. However understanding what is actually happening inside the hoof, and the reasons why an abscess has developed are helpful to avoid another developing in the future. Also assisting with pain relief, supporting the healing process and limiting areas of infection is beneficial.

What causes a hoof abscess
An abscess is usually caused by the following :

• Microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa or chemical poisons such as weed killer entering the body via an entry point or tissue space such as a wound, shoe nail hole, split, crack, veterinary|farriery excavation or stretched white line
  
  
• Material such as a stone or other object entering the body via an entry point or tissue space such as a wound, shoe nail hole, split, crack, veterinary|farriery excavation or stretched white line. More commonly it results from a small stone working its way into the hoof capsule via the white line. This is caused from infrequent and|or ineffective picking out of the white line and also from the natural expansion and contraction of an unshod hoof
  
  
• Bruising or compression of tissue resulting from walking over large stones or challenging terrain without prior acclimation to a tougher surface, over zealous use of hoof testers or incorrect distribution of weight from shoeing or incorrect|infrequent trimming
  
  
• Compressed tissue being released after circulation has been restored to the hoof [from shoe removal or a correct trimming technique applied] which the body cannot dispose of via the blood stream
  
  

Orthodox methods to alleviate an abscess
Orthodox veterinary methods of draining an abscess are usually achieved by varying amounts of excavation of the sole or hoof wall, followed by [if necessary] the administration of anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and|or analgesic drugs. Whilst the pain is relieved instantly once the abscess has been accessed, the method by which an abscess is located is questionable to say the least. Over zealous use of hoof testers are often blamed for causing further damage in bruising and tissue compression which can actually cause an abscess to form. Also often the abscess is located so deeply within the hoof that after unproductive and an extensive amount of excavation, it remains still impossible to locate. The large amount of probing and subsequent excavation of the sole and hoof wall leads to an extreme amount of damage to the hoof structure, which then can take months to recover.

If an abscess is superficial enough for intervention to be considered by a veterinarian, then it will usually resolve itself without it, or at the most - with a very small amount of excavation to relieve the pressure and allow drainage. If the abscess is deep and cannot be located, then such invasive procedures should not be considered at all. However with a horse in tremendous pain, supporting the natural process of inflammation and assisting the abscess to break out and drain thus alleviating the pain quickly is extremely important. In this regard natural medicine can be of enormous benefit and support.

Natural methods to support the healing process
Devils claw is a well known naturopathic remedy which supports the inflammatory processes and provides natural pain relief. The powder is easily purchased from a health store and added to feeds at the recommended rates. There are many other herbal remedies which also have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties, however consultation with a qualified and experienced naturopath is recommended so that the most appropriate and safest remedies for the individual situation are selected.

Homeopathic remedies are also very helpful in resolving acute situations as well as chronic tendency to abscess. Remedies commonly used for inflammation and pain, assisting the abscess to break and drain, as well as ensuring deeper infection is avoided are very successful. Assistance should be always be obtained by a qualified and experienced homeopath however, who will prescribe the most appropriate remedies for the individual situation. More information about homeopathy and to contact a Homeopath may be located in the articles + movies section of the website.

Soaking the hoof in hot water, or applying hot compresses with either epsom salts, organic and unpasteurised apple cider vinegar or 'hypercal' lotion ['hypercal' is a combination of pain relieving hypericum and healing calendula obtainable at usually any pharmacy] may assist in breaking and healing the abscess.

An increase in circulation from increased movement is extremely beneficial in assisting the abscess to break and drain quickly and efficiently, although most probably it will be a rather impossible task with a most reluctant horse. It is therefore best to keep a horse in a herd situation, where they will be required to move naturally, rather than to isolate or stable them, where movement becomes inhibited, and thus healing delayed. Because circulation should be increased or at least maximised, restrictive bandaging is also not recommended.

If there is swelling or lameness for more than a couple of days, or your horse seems unwell or the situation seems to be getting worse instead of progressing positively, it is recommended that a veterinarian is contacted for their advice.

How to avoid abscesses occurring
Abscesses are easily avoided by ensuring :

• Your horse does not wear shoes and has a correctly applied barefoot trim every four weeks. This is an average amount of time between trims, but is entirely individual to each horse. Individual problems, rates of growth, the way the hoof naturally grows, different seasons, the amount of exercise they are having, the amount of movement they are able to have, the surface upon which they are exercised on etc are all factors which may change the frequency of trims. If your horse has hooves which have splits or cracks which allow bacteria or material to enter, flares, long toes which stretch the white line, or high heels which alter weight bearing and cause compression - these are common contributors to abscess formation. These should not occur if a correct and frequent barefoot trim is applied. Most, if not all hoof problems can easily be avoided by simply committing to a consistent trimming schedule which is recommended by an experienced and knowledgeable barefoot hoof professional
  
  
• Movement and exercise is maximised. This is extremely important and is what a horse is designed by nature to do continually. Restricting movement by stabling, housing horses in small paddocks or alone without a herd is crippling, both physically and emotionally. Grazing horses in a herd, in large and safe areas which are farmed organically with optimum soil health will encourage movement, support their overall health and also avoid problems and injuries
  
  
• The white line is picked out efficiently every time the horse is visited or being exercised, which should be at least once a day
  
  
• Your horse is slowly acclimatised and then consistently and frequently exposed to walking and exercising on more challenging terrain to avoid bruising. It is unreasonable to expect a horse who is barefoot and standing in a soft pastured or muddy paddock all winter to be able to walk over rough stones easily and without discomfort when the weather is suitable for riding again, or on the odd occasion. A time commitment is required to transition the hoof from a shod, dysfunctional shape to a natural, correct shape as well as to toughen the hooves. If time is short, or an event is eminent then the purchase of hoof boots for the front hooves are an invaluable investment. It must be remembered however though that hooves will only become tough if they are exposed carefully, consistently and frequently to increasingly challenging terrain.

Very deep abscesses, chronic susceptibility to abscess frequently or unresolved abscesses are an indication that the health of the horse is being compromised in some way. Therefore trimming techniques along with living conditions, riding surfaces, situations the horse finds stressful and orthodox methods of treatment should be investigated thoroughly. By creating a stress free and as natural as possible lifestyle ensures that the horse has a strong and active immune system which is more able to adequately defend itself when necessary. But most importantly, and this is crucial - it is the application of a correct barefoot trim at intervals recommended by an experienced and knowledgeable barefoot hoof professional which is essential for healthy hooves.

Case Study

The left top and bottom photos show the hoof of a horse prior to it's first corrective barefoot trim . There are no obvious signs of an abscess, although the horse was extremely lame and refusing to place weight on the left front. The right top and bottom photos show the hoof with the abscess growing out, after four corrective barefoot trims applied at four weekly intervals . The hoof has not abscessed since the corrective trims have been applied.

Prior treatment by a veterinarian who had excavated several areas in the toe region as well as administering antibiotics had failed to locate the abscess or assist the abscess in bursting|draining and the horse continued to be in distress and pain. What was most frustrating and is a situation which occurs almost every time, is that the cause of the abscess was not addressed by the veterinarian, which was simply too infrequent trimming and also incorrect trimming of the hooves. No recommendations to obtain a correct barefoot trim or other advice - for example to increase movement were given to the owner. The ability to look at each case holistically is also extremely important and it was noteworthy in this case, that the horse was fairly old, was grazed in small paddocks on it's own and did not have any exercise from a human.

On observation prior to the first corrective barefoot trim, the heels were excessively high which incorrectly distributed weight onto the front area of the hoof - an area not designed to incur such extreme force, and which most probably contributed to compression of tissue. The toes were too long which had resulted in flares, and there were numerous and deep splits and cracks which contributed to the invasion of opportunistic bacteria. As well, the long toe had stretched and weakened the laminar connection and contributed to excessive leverage force on break over.

After a few days the abscess was resolved, and with corrective and consistent four weekly trims, the hooves have been abscess free for six months as at the date of publishing this case study. There is no doubt that the hooves will remain this way as long as this schedule is continued.

Further information about homeopathy, contacting a homeopath, bitless training or barefoot trimming may be viewed on the 'profile', 'photos', 'info' or 'testimonial' sections of the website or by contacting Horse & Human by email, phone or text.