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  Discussion on Mare won't bear weight on front right
Author Message
New Member:
Jamied

Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 9:14 pm:

I have a 6 year old mare. Yesterday morning she wouldn't put any weight on her right front. I palpated for swelling and heat, but none found. I checked her hoof, and nothing abnormal. I gave her some bute, and today, she is not any better. I have checked the hoof for heat, and no palpable difference between legs or hooves. I can't get a vet out until Monday. I'm at a loss for what to do. I have wrapped both front legs for support, since I fear she will develop a bow on the good leg. Anyone experience something like this?
Member:
Sr26953

Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 9:34 pm:

I have. It was an abcess. I started soaking her in a boot with Epsom salts. But you still need the vet to confirm, and if it is entrenched to open it up if he/she can find it. Mine needed some antibiotics too.

Sometimes these abcesses are difficult to detect by diagnostic methods available to us laypeople. My mare was not a riding horse. She was a broodmare with admittedly bad TB feet, in a stall though and not pasture, so there was no reason for her to develop an abcess. Overnight, she suddenly wouldn't put weight on one of her front feet. It did clear up nicely with proper care.

Good Luck

Suzanne
New Member:
Jamied

Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 9:39 pm:

Thanks Suzanne. That's what I'm thinking, too. Mine is a broodmare, too, but out in a pasture, so heaven only knows where she's been. I just went out and checked her hoof again, and I still can't find any heat or sore spots. I'll check with the vet in the morning and see if he wants me to start her on antibiotics, and soaking her foot. I really hope it's just an abcess.
Member:
Sr26953

Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 11:01 pm:

Sometimes sh... just happens. Hope that it is just an uncomplicated abcess that you can clear up soon.

Suzanne
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Aug 27, 2005 - 12:01 pm:

Jamie, you should stall the horse and continue with the bute until the vet can get out to avoid having the horse move around too much on the good leg, bandaging really does not support the leg adequately.
DrO
New Member:
Jamied

Posted on Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 - 1:35 am:

Thank you Dr. O. I put her in a 10x20 pen right after I got your message. She's never been in a stall, but she has lots of hay and is handling it well. The vet was going to try to make it out today.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 - 10:09 am:

Let us know where the abscess is found.
DrO
New Member:
Jamied

Posted on Monday, Aug 29, 2005 - 11:14 pm:

Well, I found the abcess on Sunday. I purchased a hoof knife that was sharper than mine, and I scraped a little of her hoof at a time. There was a 1" long mark on the sole of the hoof. If you are looking at the photo of the hoof in the article on bruises, abcesses, etc., the abcess was at about 4 o'clock and about 1+" from the white line. I cut just a little at it and clear, yellow fluid started pouring out. I'd guess it was about a teaspoon full, plus a little more. I soaked her, and then wrapped the hoof. The shoer and the vet were both out today, and they pared out the abcess a lot more and then I soaked her hoof. I dried and wrapped her hoof and hoped for the best as I went to work. Tonight she was putting weight on the leg, but not quite willing to walk on it. She seems less stressed, but is hating being in a pen. Now I guess I just try to keep it open and wait and see. I can only imagine the pain my poor mare endured.
New Member:
Jamied

Posted on Monday, Aug 29, 2005 - 11:18 pm:

Me again. I'm just glad it was only an absess, as I'm still reeling from the $1300 vet bill from a ruptured trachea on my gelding. What a summer my horses are having. Thanks for the input! I really appreciate this forum.
Member:
Jamied

Posted on Monday, Aug 29, 2005 - 11:20 pm:

Me again. Just realized I don't know how to spell abscess.
Member:
Sr26953

Posted on Monday, Aug 29, 2005 - 11:47 pm:

I don't know how to spell it either, dont' know why it requires both the s and c, but there you go. However, irrespective of how it is spelled, I hope soaking in Epsom salts is part of your regime. I just don't know any other way to draw out the infection. Is she getting antibiotics too?

Suzanne
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 30, 2005 - 6:24 am:

If you have properly opened and treated the abscess antibiotics are not needed, see the article for more on suggested treatment, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Hoof Abscesses, Bruises, and Gravels.
DrO
Member:
Jamied

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 30, 2005 - 8:44 pm:

I'm happy to report that I spotted the mare standing on the affected leg. She has been stomping at flies with her good leg. I happen to have a Davis boot from a previous horse, and it fits this horse well. I just slip on the boot, add the warm water with Epsom salts, and let her soak and eat. Today when I soaked, dried and re-wrapped her hoof, she actually put all of her weight on the wrapped hoof. I'm still giving her bute for a few more days. And my vet did say that antibiotics can be over used and suggested that I didn't need them in this case.
Member:
Sr26953

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 30, 2005 - 9:43 pm:

That is great Jamie! Amazing how fast it clears up given how obviously painful it is to them when it develops. And now, we all know how to spell abscess!

Suzanne
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