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  Discussion on Toe bruising and heat in left front hoof
Author Message
Member:
zbgirl

Posted on Monday, Nov 11, 2013 - 10:36 pm:

I am wondering why there is always some sort of heat in my horse's left front hoof. I've owned my TB since last July 2012 and have always noticed he has had more heat in his LF hoof than the other 3 feet. He had been sound for me, but beginning in May 2013 became grade 1-2 lame in the RF. Diagnosis was soft tissue injury RF, imbalanced front feet, and long toe low heels. I changed farriers and he is much better in hoof balance and soundness. We are in a rehab program for the soft tissue injury.

The most recent shoeing cycle my farrier remarked my horse had a bruised left front toe. The farrier has used a pad in the last 3 shoeings, and we are at a 5 week cycle. My vet says that my horse is overweighting his LF due to the soft tissue injury. His lameness detection machine indicates he places more weight on the LF even while circling to the right. It has improved over the months, but my horse still places his LF forward when grazing, can point slightly while standing.

I check the temps manually with my hands before during and after we ride. Often the LF is warmer than the rest but after activity, will be the same temperature. There is less difference in heat, however. As the front feet improves, I notice less heat in the LF. I just find this odd. He is a 6 body condition, and our weather is not sunny and warm.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 - 7:36 am:

Hello ZBGirl,
It strikes me that your vet has already described a possible reason in your above post. Did I miss something?
DrO
Member:
zbgirl

Posted on Friday, Nov 15, 2013 - 1:12 am:

So many possible reasons. I'm still learning about horse care; so much to take in. His walk is extremely long and close to the ground. He trips and stumbles fairly regularly.

Would the bruise still be tender at this point? It is that half moon shaped dark pink crescent.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 - 4:29 pm:

If there is ongoing trauma a bruise can stay painful. If you feel there is a misdiagnosis it would behoove you to get a second opinion. Perhaps referral to a Equine Hospital.
DrO
New Member:
zaza

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014 - 9:42 pm:

Hi ZBGirl

I know this is a very old post... Incase you are still searching for clues or running into the same dilemma, here is some food for thought.
There are several articles regarding "half moon shaped crescent bruises" that you can find by googling actually just that very title. One of the concerns with that particular shaped bruise is that it can be cause by the coffin bone (PIII) hitting the sole causing that peculiar shape. They will call it a stone bruise when in fact it is the horses internal structure causing it even on flat soft terrain. Of course not knowing your horse and no pictures to reference from it is difficult to say, but unbalanced trimming or over trimming of the wrong structures will lead to unstable coffin bone that will bruise the sole into that shape regardless of type of work or surface because the sole is too thin to truly hold the horse up in a way. A good reference that this is the case, the solar surface is completely flat, I mean zero concavity and might even have some raised uneven areas randomly on the sole.
Food for thought, I have gone on a long quest for my horses hooves since sometimes horses are trimmed like a stock factory rather than like an individual.
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