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  Discussion on Another Pad Question
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Member:
aannk

Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 11:08 am:

Harper got a nail puncture. He went to leesburg for about 10 days, and after testing, x raying, etc, the vet thinks he will be ridable after anothe two weeks. The nail did not hit any vital structures, the only trick is keeping out infection right now. He is on antibiotics, and has his foot wrapped 24/7 and is on stall rest.
So, here is my question. The two vets who worked on him have slightly differing opinions on what to do when he is turned out and we start back riding him. The one at Leesburg said she hesitated to say it but it would probably be best to put shoes on and a pad to keep the hole from getting dirty. The other vet, the one who first saw him, thinks the hole will be closed enough not to worry about that.
So, if the hole is completely healed, I guess there is no question here, but if not, is there some option besides the pad? What about one of those new materials? Could we put a patch just over the hole?
His feet were growing out of losing both shoes on the front when he got the wound, so we were planning on leaving the shoes off for 2 months or so, which will be another two weeks after he is off stall rest.
Question is, what would everyone do? The wound is narrow, but long, the nail was 2 inches.
He is a jumper, so I don't think I could use easy boots.
Alicia
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 10:11 pm:

Alicia, all I can go by is when the vet digs those big holes in the soles for abscesses. They have always put iodine in it wrapped it up and said when the wrap fell off it would be fine to leave it.

That kind of took me by surprise to say the least. Problem hoof horse Hank had a huge hole in his sole a couple years ago after an abscess digging, a piece of gravel could have fit in it! I followed the vets instructions, when the wrap fell off that was it, I put iodine in it daily and made sure nothing got stuck in it....he was fine. It cornified pretty quickly.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - 6:42 am:

Diane's post demonstrates the problem we have answering this question, we don't know any of the important details to generate an informed opinion from. I would recommend you follow the one who knows the most about the case and if they are about equally informed pick the one you trust the most.

The last time I had a deep nail puncture to the sole we had the horse back in work in 14 days without pads. The key is insuring adequate drainage by not leaving any horn behind that could trap dirt.
DrO
Member:
aannk

Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008 - 9:46 pm:

Thanks for the replies. He will have been protected from infection for a month when the vet comes to reinspect him. She thought the same as both of you. The vet at leesburg was being very careful, as he is very valuable.
by the way, I noticed inflammation in his sheath today when I went out to see him. His hind legs are looking spectacular as he has been in for almost a month and I saw no swelling on the legs at all.
The vet at leesburg said the inflammation could be because as he isn't moving around as much, the natural cleaning action that comes with movement wasn't there. Anyone else have experience with this?
I plan on cleaning him out well next time I go out there.
I had posted on a separate thread about him swelling up at a show. It appears my trainer may have been right about it not being stocking up.
I am going to repost this there.
Alicia
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