HOOF abscesses can occur easily in horses and they are particularly common during very wet weather.

If your horse has a hoof abscess, it can cause sudden lameness ranging from moderate to non-weight bearing. An abscess is basically an accumulation of pus within the hoof and can cause a very intense pain for your horse. The swelling becomes trapped by the hard tissue of the sole and the pressure can’t be relieved.

They usually occur due to environmental conditions changing between very wet and dry weather. In dry conditions, the hoof dries out and tiny cracks can appear. Then, once the weather turns wet, these cracks can allow bacteria and moisture to enter the hoof, resulting in an abscess. Penetrating wounds are also a cause of hoof abscess and can happen easily if your horse stands on a sharp stone or nail.

Once the bacteria has entered the deeper layers of the sole, the superficial layers then close over the top, trapping the infection. This can happen up to several weeks before you notice any signs of lameness.

Dirty stables can also be a contributing factor of a hoof abscess. Dirty, wet stables are a breeding ground for bacteria and careful stable management can help reduce the risk of your horse developing an abscess.

Treatment

Your vet can treat an abscess in the foot quite easily using hoof testers to locate the abscess.

They can then cut into the sole over the infection to allow the pus to drain out, which will be a huge relief for your horse.

Once the abscess is drained it is a good idea to poultice the hoof and keep it covered to get any last bit of pus or infection out and prevent it from becoming infected again.

Use a poultice material such as Animalintex, soaked in hot water, and then bandaged to the foot using vet wrap and secured with duct tape. Poultices need to be changed at least once daily. Ideally they should be changed twice or more daily depending how bad the abscess is.

After three to five days of wet poulticing, it is a good idea to swap to dry poulticing to avoid over-softening the foot as this can then make your horse more susceptible to getting a hoof abscess. Poulticing will need to be continued until no further discharge is found when changing the dressing.

When putting on the poultice, it is a good idea to use extra padding to protect the hoof and it is important to ensure the vet wrap and duct tape is not too tight to cause discomfort for your horse.

Prevention

There are many management practices that can help reduce the chance of abscess. Keeping on top of your hoof care with regular farrier visits will allow for early detection and a healthy hoof is less likely to have cracks.

Good stable management can reduce the risk of an abscess forming. Remove wet and dirty bedding daily. Shavings tend to dry out the hoof more which can lead to cracking.

If your horse is barefoot and often suffers with hoof abscesses, you may want to consider shoeing them. This will lift the hoof off the ground and reduce the risk of an abscess forming.

Keep a close eye on your field and yard for potential problems such as stones or sticks that can penetrate the hoof. Pay very close attention to horses with weak hooves as they can be more susceptible to developing a hoof abscess. Feeding hoof supplements such as biotin can help improve the quality of your horses’ feet and allow them to stay healthy.