When to ride after deep abscess?

[Rosie8888]

Hello, just wondering if anyone could offer some advice please. I called the vet out for my horse two weeks ago due to lameness and he pared away some hoof to release a deep abscess. He said it had tracked quite far up. I kept him inside for a week with clean wraps, antibiotics, Bute and now he’s outside again with the usual hoof cleaning etc every day, no lameness and looking happy. My vet advised wait one month until riding again, is that too soon? I ask because a family member is adamant (they don’t have horses so not sure their right) that I should wait several more weeks for the hoof to regrow and one month is far too soon and would be cruel? I am happy to wait aslong as he needs before riding, the advice is conflicting with my vets that’s all. Please see pic

Thank you to any replies xx

[trubandloki]

@Rosie8888

I ask because a family member is adamant (they don’t have horses so not sure their right) that I should wait several more weeks for the hoof to regrow and one month is far too soon and would be cruel?

That hoof is not going to grow out in several more weeks.

If the horse is comfortable I can’t see why starting back to work, on good footing, should be an issue.

Have you discussed this hoof with your farrier?

[Bonnie2]

If he is sound and the hole is filled in, you can ride him. Two caveats. Make sure the hole is healed. This is probably why your vet wanted you to wait a month. You don’t want material getting jammed in there and creating more problems. Second, you now have a hoof with a big chunk out of the wall. You don’t want to do anything that would cause that to break up more. Perhaps consider a hoof boot or shoes to protect that while it grows out. Good luck!

[endlessclimb]

I’d nail a shoe on that foot until the pocket hits the ground, and start riding immediately (assuming horse is sound). Phooey to the person who thinks it’s cruel - if the horse is sound, movement will generally encourage growth.

[Rosie8888]

Thank you, no only with my barefoot trimmer. Thank you, learning alot on here. When I mentioned shoeing to her she said don’t shoe, where that is on the hoof it’s a passive weight bearing area so shoeing it will only cause more undesired force in that area and apply unnecessary pressure. She said hoof boots would help instead? Unsure which way to go and the vet which I’ve just spoken to again is indifferent about whether to shoe or boot.

[Rosie8888]

Yes he’s sound, looks happier than he has in a while. I’m ashamed to say I couldn’t figure out when he kept planting on a hard surface when I tried to lead him in hand and now there’s no abbsess he’s striding about willingly every day. Thank you, my trimmer said about shoes- where that is on the hoof it’s a passive weight bearing area so shoeing it will only cause more undesired force in that area and apply unnecessary pressure. She said hoof boots would help instead? Unsure which way to go. Thanks for your reply

[endlessclimb]

Hoof boots and shoes do largely the same thing.

Problem with hoof boots is they can’t be left on 24/7. He needs protection 24/7. Shoes.

[Rosie8888]

Do you think it’s likely to chip away further if he’s on rocky ground without them? There are a few rocky areas in his pasture. The only reason I’m hesitant to shoe is the last time he had them his heels and frogs quickly shrank away to nothing. Why is that do you think? I consistently use red horse field paste now and since the shoes were removed his frogs and heels came back really well really quickly, thank you

[Rosie8888]

Thank you, really appreciate the advice. I think waiting to ensure infections gone completely and shoeing to fill in the hole will be the way forward by the sounds of it!

[endlessclimb]

You could toss a frog support pad on there if you’re concerned, and if he’s otherwise sound barefoot I’d shoe for 2-3 cycles and then pull them. If his feet wither away in that short of a time, it’s a farrier issue.

[Rosie8888]

Good idea. I will do that, yes hes been fine barefoot generally apart from this. Great advice thanks

[sascha]

@endlessclimb

Problem with hoof boots is they can’t be left on 24/7.

Foundering horses wear boots or taped on pads 24/7. Mine was literally booted for months with them being taken off only every 2-3 days for about a minute each to have the insulation pads changed.

@Rosie8888

where that is on the hoof it’s a passive weight bearing area so shoeing it will only cause more undesired force in that area and apply unnecessary pressure. She said hoof boots would help instead? Unsure which way to go and the vet which I’ve just spoken to again is indifferent about whether to shoe or boot.

I’d personally boot. I always boot for abscesses until there is a really good callous over the hole. And yep, I ride abscess horses, have even done a clinic in boots. As long as the horse is comfortable, the more movement the better.

[endlessclimb]

Those boots are not for riding, which is what the OP was wanting to do with this horse.

[OzarksRider]

@Rosie8888, I’d do what your vet and trimmer recommend–wait a month for the hole to heal and then start riding. My horse once had a stubborn toe crack that was beginning to develop white line disease. The farrier cut out a big chunk of hoof similar to what your horse has. I rode him as usual with hoof boots on the trail and barefoot in the arena, and he was barefoot turned out in pasture. I put B-Gone White Line in the cut out part of the hoof once a week to keep more infection from forming. The hoof grew out nice and strong after about 3 trim cycles. If your horse is used to riding barefoot you probably don’t even need boots.

[sascha]

They sure are! Maybe I didn’t specify, I used the exact same boots for founder as I did for abscess riding.

The reason I even had boots on hand for my horse’s founder was that I had bought a pair so I could ride during an abscess without having to use so much disposable product and not worry about wearing through the product and have good traction.

They’re also great for transitioning from shod to barefoot - paint soles with Venice turpentine, “shake 'n bake” with sawdust or shavings, slap a pair of boots on and repeat in a couple of days. Done right, it makes a super tough sole.