Magic Cushion for abscess?

[ChloeSimpy]

Would magic cushion help draw an abscess out? Epsom salt poultice wraps don’t seem to do anything…

Also would love advice for reoccurring abscesses in the hind. My vet has recommended more frequent shoeing cycles, dura-sole, and a hoof supplement (Platinum), all of which I am starting!

TIA

[Laurierace]

No, magic cushion would slow an abscess from rupturing.

[Rosewatt]

^ magic cushion is more so to take down inflammation in cases such as laminitis or a bruised sole. I’d continue with the epson salt poultice.

As for prevention, I’d look at two main things: (1) balance and quality of hoof trim and (2) Diet.

An unbalanced hoof trim could certainly exacerbate any predispositions towards abscesses, just as overgrowth could. I think more frequent trimming cycles could help for sure!

Now for diet, it is great that you are considering a hoof supplement; however, the supplement will only go as far as the nutrition is balanced - it could actually be counter productive in certain circumstances.

One mineral deficiency that is actually associated with increased risk of abcess’ is Copper (Cu). I mention this because I’ve found many hoof supplements either lack it or don’t have enough of it. Copper is necessary for a key enzyme (lysyl oxidase) which catalyzes the cross-linking of collagen, and thus is vital for the strength and rigidity of the outer hoof wall’s fully cornified cells and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes that protect cell membranes. The resulting tight white line connection is what helps prevent bacteria from getting in, otherwise you’d have a horse more prone to things like thrush, abcess’ and white line disease.

Zinc, on the other hand, seems to more often be added to supplements and is needed to maintain hoof quality by being involved in synthesizing keritin (keritinization).

However, you won’t necessarily get an effect by just adding the minerals because each mineral’s absorbance is affected by other trace minerals. Specifically, copper interacts with Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) too, so these minerals need to be in balanced to be absorbed properly! An excess of Zn or Fe will interfere with Copper absorption and vice versa.

These minerals need to be approximately at a ratio of 1 Cu: 4 Zn: 4 Fe. It has been recommended that Zn should be around 400mg per day, so the horse needs 100mg of Cu per day and horses are often within excess Fe. Nutritional Fe deficiency is rather rare and usually anemia is a result of other issues such as chronic inflammation or bleeding. Even blood tests can mix up Cu deficiency vs Fe deficiency. A false positive blood ferritin (falsely low iron) can even occur with low copper because Fe uses a copper dependent enzyme to convert itself to its ferric state, which makes iron absorb better. For those reasons, it is now being recommended more to feed little to no iron, unless it is otherwise needed.

So, what I do recommend is testing your hay and then adding those values to what is being fed in your horse’s grain, then you can start to see how much of which minerals and vitamins you’ll need to add. Otherwise, you could just do the calculations for feed to see how much Cu, Zn and Fe your horse is currently getting there.

[DinkyDonk]

If Epsom salt paste isn’t working, try ichthammol ointment–if you can stand the smell

[ChloeSimpy]

@Rosewatt

^ magic cushion is more so to take down inflammation in cases such as laminitis or a bruised sole. I’d continue with the epson salt poultice.

As for prevention, I’d look at two main things: (1) balance and quality of hoof trim and (2) Diet.

An unbalanced hoof trim could certainly exacerbate any predispositions towards abscesses, just as overgrowth could. I think more frequent trimming cycles could help for sure!

Now for diet, it is great that you are considering a hoof supplement; however, the supplement will only go as far as the nutrition is balanced - it could actually be counter productive in certain circumstances.

One mineral deficiency that is actually associated with increased risk of abcess’ is Copper (Cu). I mention this because I’ve found many hoof supplements either lack it or don’t have enough of it. Copper is necessary for a key enzyme (lysyl oxidase) which catalyzes the cross-linking of collagen, and thus is vital for the strength and rigidity of the outer hoof wall’s fully cornified cells and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes that protect cell membranes. The resulting tight white line connection is what helps prevent bacteria from getting in, otherwise you’d have a horse more prone to things like thrush, abcess’ and white line disease.

Zinc, on the other hand, seems to more often be added to supplements and is needed to maintain hoof quality by being involved in synthesizing keritin (keritinization).

However, you won’t necessarily get an effect by just adding the minerals because each mineral’s absorbance is affected by other trace minerals. Specifically, copper interacts with Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) too, so these minerals need to be in balanced to be absorbed properly! An excess of Zn or Fe will interfere with Copper absorption and vice versa.

These minerals need to be approximately at a ratio of 1 Cu: 4 Zn: 4 Fe. It has been recommended that Zn should be around 400mg per day, so the horse needs 100mg of Cu per day and horses are often within excess Fe. Nutritional Fe deficiency is rather rare and usually anemia is a result of other issues such as chronic inflammation or bleeding. Even blood tests can mix up Cu deficiency vs Fe deficiency. A false positive blood ferritin (falsely low iron) can even occur with low copper because Fe uses a copper dependent enzyme to convert itself to its ferric state, which makes iron absorb better. For those reasons, it is now being recommended more to feed little to no iron, unless it is otherwise needed.

So, what I do recommend is testing your hay and then adding those values to what is being fed in your horse’s grain, then you can start to see how much of which minerals and vitamins you’ll need to add. Otherwise, you could just do the calculations for feed to see how much Cu, Zn and Fe your horse is currently getting there.

Wow, this is all great info! Thanks so much. Platinum’s hoof support has copper and zinc so I am going to get her started on that asap. I think nutrition is fascinating but don’t really know a lot about it…she gets Bermuda/alfalfa morning, lunch and dinner, show torque grain by hygain, loose mineral salt, chia seeds, and pre & probiotics. I think im going to add in vitamin E as well bc we are in San Diego and there’s essentially no lush grass turn out here

[Rosewatt]

No problem! That’s great that your horse’s hoof supplement has copper an zinc in it? How much of Copper, ZInc and Iron are in your horse’s grain and any other supplements? How many lbs of grain does she get per day? You’ll need this info to calculate how many mg of the mineral is in a serving.

You’ll need to add the mg of mineral your horse is getting each day to have an idea of where the ratio between the three minerals is at (going to be approximate). Then from there, you can see what you’ll need to change. Most often, I’ve found Iron and Zinc levels can add up quickly which causes Copper absorption to be blocked, thus we need to add more copper to balance Zn and Fe.

[MDKCongo]

Sugardine (sugar and betadine) is a cheap option to help an abscess drain. It’s my farriers #1 go to. I typically soak the foot in epsom salt and then put a wrap on packed with sugardine.

[ChloeSimpy]

@MDKCongo

Sugardine (sugar and betadine) is a cheap option to help an abscess drain. It’s my farriers #1 go to. I typically soak the foot in epsom salt and then put a wrap on packed with sugardine.

Interesting! Thank you. Betadine scrub or solution?

[ASB_Stars]

@ChloeSimpy

Interesting! Thank you. Betadine scrub or solution?

Solution.

[MDKCongo]

@ChloeSimpy

Interesting! Thank you. Betadine scrub or solution?

I personally use the scrub (the turquoise bottle at horse stores) but I don’t see why you couldn’t use the solution.