Stone Bruise and Abscess
June 14, 2007 by Capuce.
Stone Bruise Abscess:
It never fails, I buy a new horse and within just a month of her arrival she abscesses out from a stone bruise. I think the gods are against me and don’t want me out on the trails! Just the same it’s always good knowledge to know how to treat one should you ever find yourself in my situation.
I always recommend calling your vet or farrier to diagnose the site and dig out the area in an effort to drain the puss. After that, it’s all up to you so here’s your grocery list:
- Lots of duct tape
- Diapers
- Icthamol
- Epsom salts
- Milk jug
- IV bag or bucket – for a fidgety horse get an IV bag
- Clean towels
- Old Mac boot - or other
- Hoof pick/brush
After your trusty vet or farrier has left you’ve now got a lot of work to do. Here’s how I made my life easier.
- In milk jug mix 1 cup Epsom salts to 1 gallon warm water – I used hot water so it was warm by the time I needed it.
- Clean out the foot and dig site with the pick and brush
- Place the foot in the IV bag or bucket. I like the IV bag personally for fussy horses who don’t like to stand still
- Fill the bag or bucket with your salt solution above the white line on the hoof. If using the bag wrap the top with duct tape around the leg. This keeps it snuggly in place no matter how much the wiggle.
- Check your watch, you want to give them min 15-20 min to soak
- I use this time to make the bootie:
- I make a cross out of the duct tape. 4-6 strips down with 4-6 strips across. If this is your first time making one use more tape than less, you can always cut what you don’t need away later
- Stick your tape cross on a wall close to you and have your diaper and Icthamol ready.
- When soaking is complete dry thoroughly with a towel. If you set the foot down make sure it’s on a clean towel. Dirt and open wounds don’t mix.
- Pack the abscess site with Icthamol and anywhere else there’s heat up to and including the white line.
- Diaper time, wrap the hoof up in the diaper and cover that with the duct tape bootie you made. The center of your duct tape cross should be a little wider than the sole of the hoof.
- Let the horse put their foot down and finish wrapping around with more duct tape. Make sure you get above the coronary band and that it’s loose enough not to restrict motion of the foot. The purpose of the boot is to keep dirt and debris out of the dig site
- You’re welcome to turn out just like this or if you have a young horse like mine the use of an Old Mac boot comes in handy to give your wrap a longer life when turned out.
- TURN OUT YOUR HORSE! Don’t baby them with stall rest it does them worse believe it or not. By turning them out you increase blood flow to the infection site and encourage puss to drain out into your diaper.
- After soaking 1-2 times a day and 1-3 days of this procedure your horse should be sound but don’t stop! Keep up this task for at least 3 days after soundness has returned and keep the hoof wrapped longer to ensure that the dig site has time to heal.
- If you take the time and effort now you’ll prevent another vet/farrier call later.