Abscesses are infections of the sensitive areas of the foot, which can occur when bacteria has penetrated the protective outer layers of the sole and visible laminae (white line, golden in colour). Bacteria can work its way into the sensitive areas, through weaknesses within the laminae as a result of bruising or Inflammation of the corium and an accumulation of pus or also via a puncture wound.
A sub-solar abscess or pus in the foot is an infection beneath the sole of the foot. Sub-solar abscesses cause severe pain to your horse due to the build up of pressure under the hoof capsule that cannot expand. Sub-solar abscesses can also occur after bruising of the sole along with a secondary infection. When a horse has a sub-solar abscess your horse will often bear almost no weight on the affected limb and will just touch the toe to the ground. The foot can feel warmer than the other feet and a strong digital pulse can often be felt.
Soaking in warm water and Epsom salts or other solutions helps soften some parts of the hoof and draws out infection, it works very well for humans too. The abscess will find its way out in a soft or weak spot, taking the path of least resistance. If you think when we get splinters and don’t dig them out, they find their way to the surface and pop out all on their own, an abscess is not that different and I would not recommend digging it out. It is also best to keep the horse moving, to help blood flow, circulation and healing.
When the hoof is not soaking you can also use a poultice with French clay and a few drops of essential tea tree oil or yarrow (one of my favourites, fantastic on wounds and for stemming bleeding) to help draw out the infection. Then put a piece of padding, wrap the hoof in a padding, bandage and plastic bag or poultice boot and eventually it will pop, most often at the top between the periople and coronet or in the bulbs of the heel and abscesses are definitely not caused by being barefoot. You can also use a good old fashion bran poultice.
Never dig an abscess out, this can cause all sorts of other problems and infection.
Once the abscess has popped and the pus has drained, clean with a mild disinfectant and seal the hole with clay, bandaging is no longer necessary.
Garlic is good for many things, amongst being good for the respiratory tract, it is also meant to be good for lamis, it’s said to help open the capillaries and allow better blood flow to the hoof, so it might also assist an abscess.
A sub-solar abscess or pus in the foot is an infection beneath the sole of the foot. Sub-solar abscesses cause severe pain to your horse due to the build up of pressure under the hoof capsule that cannot expand. Sub-solar abscesses can also occur after bruising of the sole along with a secondary infection. When a horse has a sub-solar abscess your horse will often bear almost no weight on the affected limb and will just touch the toe to the ground. The foot can feel warmer than the other feet and a strong digital pulse can often be felt.
Soaking in warm water and Epsom salts or other solutions helps soften some parts of the hoof and draws out infection, it works very well for humans too. The abscess will find its way out in a soft or weak spot, taking the path of least resistance. If you think when we get splinters and don’t dig them out, they find their way to the surface and pop out all on their own, an abscess is not that different and I would not recommend digging it out. It is also best to keep the horse moving, to help blood flow, circulation and healing.
When the hoof is not soaking you can also use a poultice with French clay and a few drops of essential tea tree oil or yarrow (one of my favourites, fantastic on wounds and for stemming bleeding) to help draw out the infection. Then put a piece of padding, wrap the hoof in a padding, bandage and plastic bag or poultice boot and eventually it will pop, most often at the top between the periople and coronet or in the bulbs of the heel and abscesses are definitely not caused by being barefoot. You can also use a good old fashion bran poultice.
Never dig an abscess out, this can cause all sorts of other problems and infection.
Once the abscess has popped and the pus has drained, clean with a mild disinfectant and seal the hole with clay, bandaging is no longer necessary.
Garlic is good for many things, amongst being good for the respiratory tract, it is also meant to be good for lamis, it’s said to help open the capillaries and allow better blood flow to the hoof, so it might also assist an abscess.