heel injury to front leg at the hoof

[poohbear]

I have dreamed of owning a horse for 30 years. Now that I have finally got one he gets hurt 6 days after we got him home. I walked our pasture but since we don't yet have a barn, my next door neighbor(my husbands uncle) decided to let us use his barn. He and my husband opened the gates before I could walk that lot. I don't know if this happened because of the barbed wire fence (he's been in one before) of if there is something in that lot at the barn. I have had to learn to be a vet overnight to tend to his foot, he is in a 40 x 16 covered lot until this heals, so I still haven't walked the outside lot.

The heel where it meets the hoof, one bulb has been sliced from the top down to the hoof. We (my other neighbor has horses) wrapped it after using betadine and cut-heal powder. I was still so upset that my husband went to the vet for me while I was at work (sat). The vet sent home a tetenus shot,
tucaprim, bute, collasate, and vet wrap and also told us to get a wedge shoe on that foot. The farrier was great with Hank and got his shoe on and helped us with the wrap and shot. I took pics and made another trip to vet which he said is healing good, but I am new and wondered if Hank is going to be alright.

I can't figure out how to put pics on here, but when I do I'll send them


poohbear

[Rick Burten]

There is no way for us to know how successful your horse's recovery will be. There are too many factors involved. That said, it seems that you are doing everything possible to insure a full recovery and absent any unforseen consequences, your horse should not suffer any ill after effects once the healing is complete.

If I understand the information correctly, there is at least one barbed wire fence and perhaps more, surrounding the area where you house your horse. If that is indeed the case, you must not, under any cir***stances allow your horse access to any area where he can come in contact with the barbed wire. Even if a fence is built of wood, or woven wire, or the like, if it is topped with a strand of barbed wire it is completely unsafe and inappropriate for horsekeeping.

If the building where your horse is housed is made of any kind of sheet metal, you must examine the metal carefully and remove or cover any exposed or rough edges and should line the inside of the building with wood from the ground up to at least four feet. Often, the outside of the building where the metal is close to the ground, should have an 'overlay' of wood too. this will prevent the horse from either catching a foot or leg on the bottom edge and slicing it up, and should prevent the horse from kicking through the metal siding and really doing some damage to him/herself.

While horses may look indestructible, in reality they are more like bone china than they are like armor plating.

[poohbear]

Rick
I have finally figured out how to make my picture file small enough to post on my message board. Thanks for your answer I will take this into consideration and I really hope he will heal fine. I am still keeping it wrapped and applying the collasate while it is unwrapped. He has rally been a very well behaved patient and doesn't really act like it hurts (even though it looks rough).

Yes my pasture is barb wire so for now I can't rewire the pasture just yet. We are still dealing with the costs of getting Hankand vet bills along with school and two daughters(13 & 6). We also have yet to get our own barn built. What I can't figure out though is if it was the fence why didn't he get hurt before now. I am not disagreeing with you but Hank is 3 years old and has grown up in a barbed wire fence. I still think it could be something in the other pasture. Right now I have to keep him locked in a stall which he doesn't like. If it isn't raining or wet, we walk him just a little to let him graze about 30 minutes on the green grass outside his stall. Vet said it could be at least another 30 days of stall keeping or longer until it heals and the wedge shoe comes off.

Poohbear

[Rick Burten]

That looks more like a sharp edged metal cut than a barbed wire cut.

If, at some time in the past, the other pasture had been used to bury old farm equipment, or the like, then it is possible that something has worked to the surface and your horse found it. Or there could be some plain wire laying around unnoticed and he could have gotten caught/cut on that.

So long as he is stall bound, I suggest that you don't feed him any grain that has any carbohydrate content. In fact, all he probably needs is a fair quality grass hay and plenty of fresh water.


What I am going to say next, is probably going to offend you. I will apologize in advance but I feel this needs to be said.

If you are not in a financial position to correctly provide for your horse's care and well being, then you should not own a horse. Before you ever bought your horse, you should have had a shelter for him built and the fencing, strong and safe. You should have had emergency money set back that was untouchable except for situations like the one that happened. If you or anyone else reading this has horses and has had to change their lifestyle negatively just to own the horse(s), then you/they should not own horses.

If you have to choose between for example, new clothes for the kids or calling a vet for the horse, you shouldn't own the horse. etc.

Again, my apologies if this upsets you. I hope it will not affect whether or not you continue to post to these forums or any other for that matter.

[Red Amor]

Ive seen wounds as bad as this heal beautifully treated with unproscessed honney or raw alovera gell straight from the plant and w****d up

worth a thought ay
mind how ya go:)

[poohbear]

I knew horses were going to be expensive and there would be vet bills right off. I just didn't expect it this soon. We were already planning the barn and getting ready when the date to bring him home got moved up. We are in the process of cutting his pasture(since he is stalled) for hay and beginning to build the barn before the end of summer. You did not offend me as I expected some of this(just not 6 days later). I have lots of friends who are willing to help us get things in shape. Sadly to say that Hank is the one who is suffering because I need help in learning how to take care of him. He acts like his foot doesn't hurt and lets me wrap it every other day or two. He is like one of my kids now so when he hurts so do I. I really love this horse and am really trying to do the very best I can. School has started so things will get easier now in the finance department along with my overtime at work. We are going to get someone else to build our barn so he will have safe shelter. I hadn't thought about him uncovering something in the other lot but before he gets out of the stall I will have every inch of the pasture walked and looked to the best of my ability. My sister has horses and she is going to help me. Her horses are doing great. I am staying on the phone with her alot. Any advice good or even if I don't like what you say if it will help me take care of Hank I will appreciate it. If not now later down the road.

Thanks
pohbear

[Gary_Miller]

My mare had a cut similure to this and it heeled up really well.

Horses seem to find that one item that you over looked and then they get in trouble. It's hard to tell what could of caused tis wound and you may never know. I have yet to find what cause the wound to my horse.

As far a barb wire, though it is not the best wire to have horses around due to their tendency to reach over the fence of through the wires, you know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. A horse around barb wire will tend to get more minor s****s and scrathes, but I have never had any serous cuts due to the barb wire. Some items that have cause some server cuts have been where the wire is splice togeather (this could happen with any wire) so check all your splices and make sure any rough spots a clip back.

So where barb wire can cause more problems sometimes it all you have to work with so you do it untill you can get something better.

Gary

[frank brown]

poohbear, welcome to the horse world after 30 years and thanks for sharing this on-line. i would agree with the others. heel bulbs grow back. but, from your picture im unable to identify this as a heel bulb cut. am i looking at this correctly. it looks like the biggest cut is totally in a "hair" area. or maybe there is an additional heel bulb cut also failing to show in the photo. the heel bulbs are on the back of the hoof and extend from the ground surface up to the hair line. when they are deeply cut, a vet will frequently simply cut away the damaged bulb, because they do grow back. in fact, a heel bulb cut is rather hard to heal and mend together. but, again, questioning whether this is a heel bulb cut, and unable to fathom (will someone explain) what a heel bulb cut would have to do with a wedge shoe. I might have to respectfully disagree with mr. burten on his one point since i might prefer good motives to money when it comes to horse owners. interesting that one above says they adjust to barbed wire. might suspect that for their forbears it was done, though worry due to some hideous barbed wire cuts we see. in horses good luck is what happens when bad luck could have been worse. they get hurt in pristine environments too. best of luck with your new acquisition. feb.

[Gary_Miller]

interesting that one above says they adjust to barbed wire.
Frank, help me out here. I do not see where anyone said horses adjust to barbed wire.

Gary

[Brendaandgem]

A really good place to start to find good inexpensive information is the local library. There are many great books out there for the new horseowner. Or a good refresher course. Offering information on everything from shelters, fencing, feeding and the fundenmentals needed to keep your horse happy, healthy, and sound.
I think any type of fencing can be a danger. My gelding was startled by a moose and injured both hock joints going through a wood rail fence. I have seen a show horse put down from nearly cutting the entire leg off in a smooth wire fence. It depends on the cir***stances and the level of training the animal has had. They are indeed like kids..and you need to think that when building..making everything Baby Proof !!
and on the upside....horses are the fastest healing animal on earth... :)

[Greg Thomas]

In my opinion- you can't beat a good hot electric fence for horses. The 3/4" tape works well. Run 1 strand inside the barbed wire about 3-4 feet high. I use it(1 strand, electric only) for inside fences and in the past have kept studs and mares in heat seperated with only 1 strand. Just have a lot where you can train them to it(run a strand across a corner and put hay on the other side of the tape.) After a couple of hits they will remember that the rest of their lives. A $100 charger and $30 worth of tape will fence off plenty of area for 1 horse. My charger is over 30 years old and will still knock your socks off. Get a hot one.

I do agree that if all you have is barbed wire then you don't need horses. They do not "learn" to stay out of it-or if they do then it is too late. I also agree that accidents can happen with any fencing but it is far more likely to happen with barbed wire. I have seen a bunch of horses ruined with barbed wire. Knock on wood-I have never had a seriously injured horse using electric fence.

Greg

[Brendaandgem]

I agree with Greg totally. I might add that an electric fence is great for a non-snow area, fencers have no impact in frozen winter climates. If that is the case then I might suggest a page wire, stucco wire fence. The wire has small square holes, 2"x2" approximently...this is a another good fencing as the holes are generally too small for a adult horse to get a hoof through, and also keeps unwanted wildlife out.

[Gary_Miller]

Personaly I don't like the use of electric fences for my horeses as I don't want them to be afraid of getting real close to a fence and an electric fence teaches them to stay away.

Let me explain. I do alot of trail riding in areas where sometime the trail will run right close to a fence along a steep hill. The last thing I want in these situations is a horse that will not hug the fence and stay on the trail because he is afraid to get zapped.

Other than that I don't have a problem with electric fences.


Gary

[Greg Thomas]

I really don't have a problem with most of them getting close to elec fences while trail riding. They know where it is at. They will graze under my fences and get within a couple of inches but not touch it. Several times I have backed an unbroke or rouge horse that doesn't seem to know how to lead forward and is acting silly toward an elec. fence and they will stop within inches-they suddenly get real smart.

The best fence, I think, it diamond mesh horse fence with a board on top. That is what I have for my perimeter fence (where I keep horses) but at about $7/ft for fence and posts it is not a cheap, quick fix to a barbed wire lot.

Greg

[frank brown]

gary--im guilty of just skimming the posts. too much interesting stuff and too little time. if i read correctly now, you have or have had horses in barbed wire without a lot of problems, so, figured these had adjusted, meaning the confirmed fence pawers had wizened up to their environment.
I personally use no climb fence and T posts for a reasonably cheap and very safe fencing. but, for those few areas where I still have field fence you observe the pawers gradually educating themselves. extrapolating this observation to barbed wire might suspect horses would accomadate themselves to it (with an inherent continuing risk, of course). I drive through the flint hills a lot and see horses behind barbed wire. so presuming it can be done, but interested in your take. also clicked off my post too fast. realized that wedges might get a heel cut off the ground. presuming that would be the purpose. I find it interesting that we have on these boards example of two just purchased horses injuring themselves. new surroundings = high risk.

[poohbear]

frank,
I was looking at a rough diagram in the book I have that called this a heel. The cut is on one of the two hunks that are located at the top of the hoof. This is what he sliced down to the hoof. The farrier didn't say anything about tendons being cut. He thought it would take a while to heal and that it would. I just needed to hear that this has (unfortunately) happened before and that it will bet better. I am trying hard to do what is best for my horse and take care of him. I hate keeping him locked up in a stall but this is orders from the vet. He had the farrier put a wedge shoe on Hank to help the injury try to stay together and not gape open. It looked really bad when he did it. this picture is 5 days old.

poohbear

[poohbear]

Gary
How long did it take for your mare to recover? Did you have to keep her in a stall too? What did your vet say to take care of hew wound? I've been told to keep collasate and keep it wrapped for 2-3 days at a time until this heals. Then take off wraps and use fly wipe to finish healing. Is this similar to what you did? Just curious

poohbear

[Brendaandgem]

Something to consider about buying a horse. They are a herd animal and really need the comfort of another. Most horses kept in a solitary situation seem to get into more trouble, are harder to handle and can become aggressive within a short period of time. Especially for a new horseowner they can be intimidating. If this horse is alone I strongly suggest finding another pasture mate. You will enjoy your horse far more...trust me.

[frank brown]

agreed brenda. you worry about a youngster being all alone (and also new) in a barbed wire situation. as you say, he'll be searching for buddies. then, i do hear people say owning one horse that "they'll be fine". unknown if i agree, but, given the care this fellow is receiving he may be a lucky animal in the long fun. POOH you are describing a bulb cut, though im unable to see it in the photo. there are several good elements here, and, though personally i might treat somewhat differently, it is impossible to diagnose on the internet, to state the obvious. you have two professionals there, your farrier and vet. when the farrier says the horse will be ok you sort of get the feel even over this medium that things will be fine. best of luck with the horse. i hate keeping them in a stall. it does something to them mentally. luckily, healing cuts with horses progresses quickly.

[Greg Thomas]

Well I just can’t let this go-

I never really thought of proud flesh being visual evidence of “natural” self training techniques for a horse. I have seen individual horses that have had more than one incident with barbed wire. I guess some are faster learners than others-?????. I guess it boils down to perspective.

I would short tie my horses to a tree on the right of way before letting them be loose in a barbed wire lot. I have seen way too many horses torn up in barbed wire. Yeah, I see a lot of horses kept in barbed wire. I also have seen a lot of cuts just like the one Pooh has posted. I also see horses that haven’t been trimmed or wormed or properly fed or sheltered or exersied or trained, etc. but it still does not make it right in my mind. Just because I can’t get rid of every potential cause of injury doesn’t mean I should not get rid of one that is very obvious.

While I would put most of the problem horses discussed on this board on the first truck to a slaughter house (because I'm still gonna have a $200 horse after spending $1000 and a bunch of time on it--if the vets and farriers get lucky) I will never(an absolute) turn out a horse in a barbed wire enclosure because of compassion for the animal. Even if it doesn’t lame the horse it will most likely leave an ugly scar to remind me that I was irresponsible for its welfare. I might forgive my own ignorance the first time but not the second time. I do not like to see an animal suffer-especially if it is my fault..

That is my personal comfort level and I am not criticizing anyone else. I guess it boils down to perspective(and experience, maybe).

Greg

[Mariaricardo]

One of my mares has successfully recovered from a heel bulb cut. Found and disposed of the piece of metal that caused it. The edges gaped open so I vet wrapped it to provide compression, after thoroghly cleaning it with betadyne. Used combo of zinc oxide for drying and cortisone for preventing proud flesh. Kept in the stall for 2 weeks with hand walking ad lib when dry weather. After 2 weeks no bandage. Gently cleaned with betadyne 1x/day. Continued cremes, tapered off the cortisone. Turned out on dry days. Stalled at night or rainy days. It took 2 1/2 months to fill in. No proud flesh.

[poohbear]

I have a new picture of Hank's injury. I can't tell if it is going to heal good or if I need the vet to come see. It isn't infected and the vet said it would take at least another 30 days, but I am really nervous and anxious for him to get back to normal. It has been two weeks already. The pictures are dated and are about one week and one or two days apart. Maybe someone can tell better than I can if I need to go ahead with the vet or wait a litle longer. I walk him out in grass to graze on dry days also. He really enjoys that. Proud flesh was mentioned. Will I have that to deal with , what does it look like, and how to prevent it. Also on another note, there are three heifers in the pasture with Hank (before he was stalled). They wonder around the barn also so he is not completely alone. I will truly be grateful when he has recovered and the wedge shoe can come off.

[Mariaricardo]

Hey Poohbear,
My mares heel bulb cut was worse than what I see in your photo and she healed fine.
Maria

[frank brown]

pooh--this pic shows a little better. this horse appears to have a very high angle at the hoof. regardless, this is a serious cut, and if it extends into heel bulbs would qualify as particularly a nasty wound. there are several important ligaments in this area, including the suspensory ligament. it appears for him, lucky, that he avoided major blood vessels. its been a while since injury, but, where he my horse might be downloading this photo to the vet today. proud flesh generally is a minor problem and avoiding infection helps. presume your aware ointments that repel flies. imo from what shows vetinary attn warranted. cows and horses coexist, though, at first might have problem distinguishing cow from lion. i am unsure this horse needs to be stalled, but that's imo, but one needs to keep flies away. q here is what degree of wrapping and support necessary to heal. and, i q the wedge shoe. but,again, imo. good luck with this. do hope it comes out well. feb.

[Brendaandgem]

He is coming along great !!..I dont see any proud flesh..its a fairly thick whitish scab type of build up. I find just plain vasaline on the wound works great to keep flys away. Most antibiotic types of creams seem to promote proud flesh..my opinion only. It must be tough to have a new horse and not be able to really enjoy him. If you can lead him to eat grass why not start getting to know your horse by trying different exercises with him...there are things you can do even in the stall when the weather isnt good... could be fun and help this healing time go a bit faster. There is some excellent exercises here that will help you to establish a good relationship with your horse. http://www.downunderhorsemanship.com/index.html

He is probably just as anxious to get back to himself as well.
Its nice to hear he's not alone and has company.

[Rick Burten]

At this point, the wound appears to be healing well and without proud flesh. I agree that you should send the photo to the vet, just to keep him in the loop.

These wounds take a longish time to fully heal. If you put him back to work prematurely then you run the risk of him reinjuring the area and then you are back to square one .

I would not work this horse until the wound has completely healed. Personally, I don't think that will happen in thirty days. Rather than getting anxious, just relax, keep doing what you are doing, and let nature take its course.

[Brendaandgem]

Please note the exercises I recommended were not for riding but getting the horse to lower its head...clipping..stationary exercises. I am not recommending this horse be worked other than simple trust building exercises.

[poohbear]

Thanks guys, words of encouragement is what I need. Like before, this is new to me. I have showed the pics to the vet and he agrees that he is healing as well. I will NOT under any cir***stances allow Hank to be ridden until I am 100% sure that his foot is healed. When he gets better the shoe will come off and I will wait to be sure he is ok. I really love this horse and I think he loves me. He loves to be brushed and petted when we go to check on him (at least twice a day) to make sure he has plenty of water. It's been near 100 for a couple days. It should cool off a little but he is really drinking lots of water. He is getting to where he whinnies at me when I come to see him. My girls really like to brush him too. Its unfortunate that he is stalled, but I think he is getting 3 times the attention. Oh and Frank, the wedge shoe was put on to keep the wound from gaping open. That's tha main reason for keeping him in a stall. I will keep everyone posted on his progress and thanks for y our advice and replies. I really, really appreciate all the help.
poohbear

[poohbear]

Update: I have taken Hank to the Vet's office and he has proud flesh in and around the wound site. The vet has removed this and put Hank in a cast up to his knee(he can still bend it) so he can't move his foot. He will be in this cast 10 days(possibly 3 weeks). He still has the wedge shoe on. When this heals I am boarding him at a nearby stable until I get my electric fence put up and a barn (small untill I can build the one I want) built to keep him warm and dry this winter. I am not taking any chances on him getting hurt again. I was lucky that this didn't turn out any worse than it has. I am looking forward to him coming to the stable so I can see him everyday until I can bring him home. Just wanted to let you know how he was doing.

[Brendaandgem]

...you'll get there..be patient.

thanks for the update..keep us updated.

[poohbear]

I have a new update. Hank has been 3 weeks at the vet's office. He cut out scar tissue and put hime in a cast (which Hank broke so it had to come off) and dr wrapped his foot. This didn't work either so he had to cut off the flap of skin. Hank's foot is really healing good now. He has been at the stable for two weeks. I get to see him more now that he is close to home. On October 15th Hank will get to come home with us and hopefully no more problems (especially like this) will happen. We almost have the electric fence finished and my sister and brother-in-law are helping to put the finishin touches on our barn. I went to see Hank today. He got his shoe off and was allowed to go out for a few hours today. When I called him he came neighing to me the whole way. I am really thankful for all the advice you and everyone else have given. I am still going to wait for this wound (it has a deep scab on it that doesn't wash off when we clean it) to completely heal before we start riding again. I am really glad that he can actually be in a pasture and run and play again. Thanks a lot pooh bear :)