Long term solution

[LFEquines]

Hi there, I've been browsing this site on and off for the last few months looking for solutions and after care for my QH mare with vet confirmed abcesses in both front feet.
My retired 23 yr old barefoot mare lives in 5 acre pasture, no mud, however very wet conditions. She was just recently moved from dry desert conditions in CA to TN.
Her feet are very soft even though stabled in barn at night and abcesses are recurring even with poultice.
Vet seems to think shoes are the best solution for long term. Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

[Mike Ferrara]

What does the vet think is the cause of the abcesses? Have radiographs been taken?

[LFEquines]

The vet thinks it is the climate change from desert to wet lands that causes the abcesses. No x-rays taken at this time.
I might of inadvertantly left out that he was able to drain both abcesses and immediate relief was seen in the mare. No other hoof problems, never foundered and I've owned her for 20 years.
I would like to know if shoes would help this problem. Also would pads be better or worse?
Thanks.

[danverschild]

The vet thinks it is the climate change from desert to wet lands that causes the abcesses.

I would like to know if shoes would help this problem. Also would pads be better or worse?

Yep, I've got a couple of clients who regularly bring in horses from Arizona. They're feet seem okay for the first 3-6 wks. after they arrive, and then they go to hell in a handbasket. The ones that arrive with imbalance issues are prone to abscessing. No matter if they arrive with good feet or bad, though, it takes time for them to acclimate.

As for pads... I think pads tend to encourage the hoof to retain moisture, so I would avoid them.

[LFEquines]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think shoes are the answer? I would think her soft feet would not retain a shoe anyway. Does it just require time and careful trimming for her feet to acclimate?
Thanks again.

[Mariaricardo]

I moved my barefoot donkey to Hawaii where it rains all the time. She got abscesses. I've seen a big improvement to her hooves by using Keratex Hoof Hardener, keeping her in a clean, dry stall at night and when it rains, plus regular professional trims. Also, hoof supplement with biotin and methionine. It's taken at least seven months and don't slack off. The Keratex also keeps my shod horses hooves in great shape too. Good Luck.

[LFEquines]

Thanks Mariaricardo, I am going to try that product. :)

[danverschild]

Do you think shoes are the answer? I would think her soft feet would not retain a shoe anyway. Does it just require time and careful trimming for her feet to acclimate?
Thanks again.

Shoes won't resolve the problem, although they may be helpful if you have accompanying problems with breakage, imbalance, etc. Your farrier will be able to advise you best about this. It is more difficult to keep shoes on these feet, as the integrity of the hoof capsule is compromised. I usually try to drive my nails as high as I can in these feet (although I'm a firm believer in high nails on any application :))

The advice about the Keratex Hoof Hardener is good; I find it to be a helpful product for dealing with the overly hydrated hooves we often see in my part of the country. Addressing the problem with feed supplements is less likely to work.... If there was something wrong with the previous or current nutritional program, it may be helpful, but it won't work miracles.

The important thing to realize here is that the hoof we're looking at and working with is dead. People who claim they have products or techniques for "revitalizing" poor hooves are, then, often little more than charlatans selling witch water placebos and a line of faith healing rhetoric. So, yeah, time and good, basic husbandry are the keys to resolving the problems.

[LFEquines]

Thanks Danverschild for all of your good advice. I have an appointment with the farrier this coming week so I will be sure to share the info I've learned.
Thanks again.

[Blindedbyfaith]

im starting to think it is truet taht soil and footing in different regions is a problem for some horse with sensitive feet. i have a Montana bred QH she is prone to WLD and Abseses ive had her 3 years im from New england and we have lots of mud what to do

[LFEquines]

Well...had the vet out again today to clean up 2 blown out abcesses in the same mare. She has been locked up in the barn acting as a buddy for my foundered mini mule for about a month. I have been using the Keratex hardener on her, which may explain why the abcesses blew out in the heel and coronary band. I guess that stuff works too good? :confused:
I thought with her being inside, no mud, would've prevented any further problems with abcesses but it turned out that she had some bad thrush high up inside the crevise next to the frog (could not see it). Seems I missed it when I was paying more attention to the mini. :(
Any other ideas out there?

[LFEquines]

Nevermind, found my answers in past posts. My head is foggy from meds. and did not read before I posted. Thanks to all for your advice and sharing of your knowledge. This is the best web-site! :D

[caballus]

Locked up in a barn for a month? What happens to muscles and tissue when they are inactive for just a couple of days? They start to atrophy. Horses are designed to move all the time to keep their circulation going, their muscles moving and active, their digestive system operating, and their minds from going south. My strong suggestion would be to turn these horses out and let them move. Let the oxygen-rich blood start to circulate again especially in the hooves. That will engage the healing of the abcesses into high gear and also relieve alot of the stress on the horses - minds and bodies. Get those horses turned o-u-t.

--caballus

[Gary Hill]

Turnout is fine and recommended but it must be a dry lot with no access to any kind of grass, unless it's after a freeze and the grass is dead or asleep. We have great coastal bermuda pastures here in my part of E. Texas and in the spring you must dry lot these old cronics or they will relapse and it starts all over again. I have 15 cronic's I have tended to for quite a few years that respond very well to this routine. Some are barefoot now but everyone of them did go though heartbars to get them to this point. I just got in from working on a Vet referall on a huge halter horse that could barely walk under the carport (it's raining like crazy today) with ezboots on him and when she walked him off after shoeing him he actually trotted. Best, Gary

[LFEquines]

I guess I assumed everyone was familiar with my previous posts but I should not be that vain ;)
I have the ponies in a dirt area of the barn roughly 30 'x30'. Not exactly in stalls but safely kept away from the grass until I can recover from my own medical problems and set up a dry lot outside. They have access to windows and an open door to provide some fresh air and see some outside activity. Not as bad as being locked up in a stall hopefully in a week or so I can get them out again.
The foundered minimule was just seen by the vet and farrier, is now stablized, no more bute or foam and is ready for light walking. The horse was inside the barn to act as a buddy and comfort the mini. They are happiest when together and would not have had a good recovery if they were both worried and running around crazy. They are now ready to be outside and so am I. Thanks everyone again.

[LFEquines]

I wanted to give an update on my QH mare that had chronic abcesses in all 4 feet: Good news, she has been without an abcess for 30 days (knock on wood) and the farrier says her feet are looking better every time he trims her(every 3-4 weeks). I had x-rays taken on 03-05 and all appears well. I want to thank all for your advice and patience for my ignorant questions. Looks like I will be hitching her up for a "spring" drive real soon. :D