Comments on: Treating a Hoof Abscess

By: JOY J

JOY J — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 11:58:55 +0000

I have an 1800 lb Percheron who abscesses 2x a year. The salt bath has been a chore. Finally, I started using double-bagged freezer bags (2 gal. in my case). I put the bags over his hoof, put the hoof in the rubber bucket and filled the bags. I tied them around his ankle with a simple clothesline about the length of a leash. the bucket is in case the bags leak. He tolerates this method beautifully and stands still for as long as 20 mins (when helped with a bucket of grain and a couple of flakes of hay in front of him. Before, I only got about 5 mins. of standing in the epsom salts before he tipped the bucket over. So much easier!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:47:44 +0000

What if a horse riped it’s inside hoof off and up the side and the front top of skin has holes draining thick pus in the front above the hoif they won’t call vet and have tried everything to get to heal the horse is in a lot of pain and the pain meds aren’t helping And owner won’t call a vet says he has no money but he does

By: Marjory

Marjory — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:11:23 +0000

Excellent advice–and it worked!

By: Mattie

Mattie — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 07:31:29 +0000

So, Jennifer, what other ways are there?

By: Kippy

Kippy — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:13:35 +0000

I’ve been using an Epsom salts soak for years with perfect success in my commercial stable but liked the extra ideas you provide.

By: Galadriel

Galadriel — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 23:56:27 +0000

Great advice!

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:58:49 +0000

This is the best information I have found on the Net. My vet didn’t even offer this alternative. Many thanks.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:25:50 +0000

The last photo showing the duct taped hoof should be removed. It is absolutely dangerous to have any tape or wrapping around the coronary band. There are plenty of ways to wrap a hoof without going above the coronary band.

By: karren

karren — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:23:20 +0000

Excellent. Thank you. I have a horse that is lame and it is a suspected abcess but it is not coming to a head. Currently the poultice is on – it is so hard to see him so lame and unsure how long he will be that way. This article has helped me better understand. He is under the care of a vet

By: Nan

Nan — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:02:32 +0000

Excellent article! 🙂 Thank you, will print it off and keep it for reference as I have a horse who is very frequently getting abscesses. 🙂