Moist, Spongy Heel

[Diane Greene]

I have a client whose Arabian gelding has developed deep vertical heel on three feet that are spongy, moist, but odorless and only very slightly tender to deep palpation. One hoof also had a pocket of clear odorless fluid in the frog that presented during a trim. This horse is shod 4x, sound, currently not ridden very frequently due to weather, and although has a muddy paddock, does have a dry roomy stall that he spends most of his time standing in. His angles and hoof condition are very good, except for this new development. He does not have any angular limb deformity or feet problems that would predispose him to heel/digital cushion issues. Any ideas?

[John Barney]

Sounds like canker. It's a advanced stage of thrush that has penetrated the sensitive part of the hoof.

JB

[caballus]

If the normal treatment for Thrush doesn't work, you might think along the lines of Yeast Infection. Nasty bugger to get rid of. Borax soaks and systemic treatments.

--caballus

[Red Amor]

Hi
Its sounds like thrush rather than kanker
have the farrier /or yourself defoiliate the hoof cleaning all the mud, poo, and flake from sole and frog
wash hooves in an anti bacterial fungal solution {10% solution of coppersulphate and warn water is good } do this each day for a say week or as long as needed

also clean out the hooves daily and paint bottoms and sides with a mixture of two thirds stockholm tar and one third mineral turps , do this after bathing the hooves

see that the stall is cleaned out regularly and if you wish throw several hand fulls of copper sulphate around the floor