Sometimes when a horse pulls their shoe, they can damage the hoof wall tremendously. The repair can be both time consuming and costly--as well as requiring a knowledgeable farrier who knows how to restore the hoof using hand drawn toe-clips and a restorative plastic. When done correctly, the finished product will look and function as though the horse had never injured the hoof.
An abscess is an infection cause by bacteria getting into the sensitive tissues of the hoof. This condition is one of the most common causes of sudden-onset lameness because of the pressure build-up and activation of pain sensors as the bacterial infection (i.e. pus) develops within the hoof capsule until it erupts, releasing pressure. INDICATIONS OF ABSCESS
Caution: Abscesses must be treated and diagnosed by a veterinarian - the condition can turn up within twenty-four hours of initial injury, and usually no more than two or three days after. The lameness and swelling will continue until the abscess has been opened by a veterinarian, and the horse must continue treatment for days afterward by soaking the hoof in a saline solution. An abscesses is an infection and does not go away on their own by waiting them out, and the horse should absolutely not be ridden during recovery. CAUSES OF ABSCESS
CARE OF AN ABSCESS Even the most knowledgeable farrier can misdiagnose an abscess, and the old wive's club has a million remedies for the condition--so it is always recommended that a veterinarian be called in to diagnose and prescribe treatment. The veterinarian will know the best treatment for the horse and has the education necessary to diagnose the problem. Do not trust the word of one farrier over another, as this is a competitive business, and given the opportunity to bash a competitor is always welcome, even when there is no problem. PREVENTION
Jim Creeden, Farrier, has a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and has been working as a professional farrier for 20 years. Horseshoeing is an art form. Just as some artists prefer to use watercolors and others oils, some prefer to hot shoe, while others prefer cold shoeing. Cold shoeing is both faster and cheaper, so why would anyone want their horse hot shod?
Overall - the benefits of hot shoeing have to be weighed with the cost and efficiency. Most horses are just fine with a trim or cold shoeing, so going the extra step and paying the additional money may be unnecessary. If you want to know what's best for your horse, talk to your farrier or veterinarian.
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Jim CreedenJim Creeden, Farrier, has a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and has been working as a professional farrier for 20 years. Archives
February 2016
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