Puncture Wound

[SlowShoe]

Got a call sunday about a 'really lame horse'. I ran out to look at it real quick and found a puncture wound. I cleaned it up, advised treatment and to contact the vet. I wrapped it up and returned yesterday. Horse was very very sore and did not want to put any weight on the leg on sunday. Sunday I had drained an infection from the wound and she was bit more comfortable on Monday, but not a while lot. So I modded a keg shoe a bit to provide access to the wound and applied a hospital plate. Immediate relief was noted. Hopefully she will heal up well, It doesnt look like it hit any bone structure, but haven't from the vet yet.



http://newenglandhorses.com/temp/puncture1.jpg

http://newenglandhorses.com/temp/puncture2.jpg

[Ronald E. Kramedjian]

Josh,

Nice bit of work. Let us know how the horse does.

[J.H. shoeing]

did you put a poltice on it?

[T.N. Trosin]

Nice Job Hoss,2 suggestions 1. I would have is to place the toe bolts closer to the pilliers. I understand why you put your bolts where you did, but I thing you could have moved them back a pinch more that you did. 2. Grind in sole releif on the shoe.
I do like the cut out/ bump in whatever you call it around the wound. Still all and all Nice Job man. I like it.

[Thomas_Ride&Drive]

Was the horse totally lame without the plate?

Just wondered because my preference with a puncture wound like that would have been to have it more easily accessible so it can be hot tubbed and flushed out and throughly cleaned at least twice a day.

The modified shoe though provides for good accessibility if its vital the horse stays shod whilst this is being treated.

[SlowShoe]

Thanks guys

Jeff,
The owner had some black stuff she swore by to put on it. You can see it stained a lot of the foot. I loosely packed some cotton with the gunk on it.

T.N.,
Yeah that indent was forged. I was sure to add plenty of sole relief to the shoe, especially in the area I forged the bump. I agree I would have liked to have put the bolt holes back a little more as well. Funny, you realize these things when your done drilling. :)

[SlowShoe]

Was the horse totally lame without the plate?

Just wondered because my preference with a puncture wound like that would have been to have it more easily accessible so it can be hot tubbed and flushed out and throughly cleaned at least twice a day.

Thomas, the horse was very uncomfortable without the plate. The shavings and such were packing in and putting pressure on the effected area.

This way it's clean, protected and the owner IS able to take the plate off and clean and or soak the effected area daily. It takes just a minute to undo the bolts. I left a wrench and showed them how to work the plate.

[Thomas_Ride&Drive]

I'd wrap it and use a poultice boot in those cir***stances.

[SlowShoe]

I'd wrap it and use a poultice boot in those cir***stances.

Thomas,
That is actually a viable option as well. What do the rest of you folks think about using a boot instead of a plate in this case?

[Bill Adams]

As to a boot or shod with plate, with the boot you will return in a week or so to shoe the horse after the wound heals, with the plate you just leave it off after the healing and let the shoe protect for the remainder of the cycle.
This may be the first disagreement I have had with Thomas, and only slight at that. I will assume that his post was from the perspective of a totaly comitted horse owner who would do what ever is nessisary to relive pain and expediate healing for his horses.
My post was from the perspective of an over worked (and over paid) Farrier who wants at least one less stop next week.
Bill

[SlowShoe]

Bill I was thinking boot over the shoe.

[Bill Adams]

Josh,
That would work but I like the plate better. Dosen't create the wetness around the whole foot or rub skin raw as some boots can.
Either method will work.
Good job outa you on the horse above.
Bill

[THamilton]

Josh,

What did you use for the plate? I do not recognize it right off.

I vote for the shoe. I would find it hard to reschedule to return in a week or so. I could make the time but then it all snow***** down the line.

Thanks,
Tony

[SlowShoe]

Tony,
It's .090 aluminum. =]

thanks!

[Complete Equine]

First off, nice work!!

Nobody laugh, but I was under the impression that a hospital plate had a small opening (like a window) in it that made an abscess or puncture wound accessible without removing the plate. Is this just a different style or was I way off? With the plate that you used, does it come with the bolts? So, you basically just need to drill/tap holes into the shoe and plate and cut the plate to size? What do you cut it with? Does that kind of a package limit traction for the horse or is it okay? And, I am assuming that the opposite hoof was shod normally. Sorry for all the questions but I am very intrigued!! Thanks for your post!

[pollyblack]

for an in depth video of how to do a poltice on a horses foot visit horsehero.co.uk (or google horse hero poultice, it comes up first) There are many other 'How-To' videos as well as top rider blogs, information and video diaries.

[khfs]

Would a Roto Zip cut through that plate? I purchased one because I thought it would be a handy tool to have on hand, more powerful than a Dremel.

Thanks

[cowboy_bc]

Hi all,

Another option is to draw clips on the inside of the shoe to hold a plastic pad that snaps into the inside web of the shoe.

Kevin

[peter026]

I use a relatively new medication called Hoof puncture plus.
Did a pony last week with a puncture, poulticed for 72 hours, then sprayed Hoof puncture plus, then packed with Mac Heads secret hoof packing.

She walked away sound as a bell, barefoot, and was still sound when checked her today:)

[SlowShoe]

I'm not sure if a rotozip will cut .090 AL. It might. I used a cordless jig saw.

Peter that Hoof puncture plus looks like some cool stuff. I cant find it in the US though. Only see it available in the UK.
-josh

[peter026]

Josh, I only came onto it by accident, I went to buy some Hoof putty for this pony, and came across the Hoof puncture plus, Not only is it anti-bacterial but also seals the hole with a light acrylic substance which will keep it protected for 48 hours. Plus it was cheaper than the Hoof putty:D

[Red Amor]

Nice work there Sloth
sorry just had to give you a nick name ;)