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  Discussion on Hock Sores from sleeping out side
Author Message
Member:
muffi

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 2:50 am:

My horse has developed a Bleeding Hock sore on one side. I assume that is the sleep side.
I have been putting Corona and SWAT on it to keep the 'crusties' moist, but this morning it appeared bloody.
today I washed it off - Sprayed some Tea Tree Oil on it covered it again with a GOOD Dollop of Swat to keep it Moist not crusty, then put a shipping boot on before I left the barn for the nite.
Dr O is there another treatment for this? a more recommened one? Small little crusties didn't worry me but this is the size of a dime and deeper looking now. I don't want him to have long term damage.
I have taken shavings out of the barn - but they have rubber mats in the stalls, and sand and wood chips out side. They prefer sleeping outside if the weather is warm.
Should I put shavings back in the stalls?
is there an article online here to read more about this?
any one else find success with something?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 7:08 am:

Hello Muffi,
In cases like this you really want a callus to develop and continuing to moisten and soften it worsens the soring through maceration and decreased toughness. Hard and crusty is best so I recommend treating with nitrofurazone sprays that will dry it out.

I would guess wood chips and sand is pretty abrasive. The softer the ground the horse is laying down on the less trauma there is to the skin. Another course of action is protecting the area with bandaging but as you can imagine this is time intensive and a tough place to keep bandaged. Hock boots can help.
DrO
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 7:10 am:

Muffi my old girl gets the same thing in the summer when sleeping outside, especially when the ground is hard. I put Corona on it,rap it with vet rap (at night) let air at it during the day and it usually clears up in a weeks time. Seems once she gets one and it clears up that's the end of it, I think it must callous and is less prone to sores. It doesn't leave a permanent blemish.
Member:
kristia

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 7:41 am:

Okay, don't laugh, but another remedy would be is to put a small piece of duct tape over it. Let the good hair hold it in place, so don't stick it to the sore so that it can breathe. Let the tape fall off over time and replace. Baby oil will help remove it if needed.
I have the same problem and I am gonna have to do this again to clear up the sores.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 9:37 am:

You can buy protective hock boots made for this problem. You can find them in most tack stores and catalogues, and online. They stay on good. We have a retired endurance guy living at our place that needs them in the winter when he's in his stall.
Member:
muffi

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 - 3:07 am:

I do have a pair of the hock boots - they have three velcro tabs - put them on last nite (first nite) and he kept shaking his leg out like what is that thing! so funny to watch. but as i suspected it was in a heap on the ground in the morning.
Duct tape - Good God i Love that stuff. I keep a roll inthe barn for Hoof injuries and otherstuff - Perhaps.... if I tape that Hock Boot on him at nite- LOL
Dr O thanks i will spray with the Furazone stuff - I have some of that handy - I hosed it down this morning and filled it with Swat -'to keep it moist'. I am so still learining here.
If it should be crusty then so be it I'll just keep it cleaned out each morning then let it 'do it's thing' with the cool yellow spray.
Darn and I thought he Sand and wood chips were softer than just the basic dry clay dirt we have here.
yea Diane I do remember he had this last summer but i don't remember it being such a problem.
perhaps he did develop a callus last summer. oh my old age and too many falls to the head - makes the memory fade some times.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 - 10:06 am:

I think duct tape and baling twine and baling wire are the three most important inventions ever! I saw a show where some enterprising students even made furniture and clothing out of duct tape!

A lot of us have the "fall on head/age" synDrOme. Poor Dr.O must be used to it by now!
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