Keratoma
1. I was made aware of is the necessity to think of the opposing hoof, we found it very necessary to make sure the hoof was supported and balanced as it is now taking more weight, in the case of the patient being barefoot it was always easier due to the frog having more contact, although when the horse in being kept in there is always the increased chance of the frog weakening, so be vigilant.
In the case of the apposing hoof being shod (why?) then I would recommend a well fitting hart bar
As for the offending hoof, as long as all the problem tissue has been removed the hoof can get on with the process of naturally healing and growing new and healthy tissue.
Do remember that although box rest can be the best way to effect good management, you do not want to create a situation where when the horse is allowed out you have a sudden increase on leverage, concussion, and mobility on all the new tissue that has been produced. So as soon as it is possible I find it beneficial to get things working to the best of their ability in order to lessen the shock.
2. My Thoroughbred had a keratoma removed in 2008, he had a v cut in the front of his hoof up to about 1/2 inch from his coronet band. He had a normal shoe put back on but had a metal plate made that would squash the dressing in the front of the hoof. You need to make sure that the dressing is in tight because otherwise the hoof doesnt grow back strong and you get what they call proud flesh, yep it does grow in the hoof I was amazed.
He was on total box rest, and I made a leather boot to cover the entire foot to make sure that no dirt or anything can get in. Even though its bandaged, it is hard to stop the Urine being soaked up which can cause infection.
Our dressing changes consisted of sterilising the floor, then bringing him in, taking off the leather boot, take of the metal cover, which needed a socket rench as it had 4 screws on the base, then removing the plastic tape which is that real hardy black tape that we covered the base of the bandage, remove the bandage, then cotton wool, then gause bandage, all the time trying to keep the hoof off the floor even though it was sterile, only if we could get him to stand on a sterile sheet would we put the hoof down. We then removed the packed in dressing which had tape over the front of the hoof, then had cotton wool, then gause, which was sugar and iodine one day and this cream which for the life of me I cannot remember the name of.
We cleaned it daily with iodine then packed it again. At one stage when the proud flesh was growing, the vet had to cut it out, so keep a close eye, because you dont want that to form.
He also got a bit of a smelly foot so we had this blue sprey that is a disinfectant that you spray all round the hoof even on the wound after a bit.
Mine was on box rest for a long time, however I was allowed to sedate him and take him for a little walk, but had to make sure he was sedated as he is highly strung. This went on for about 6 months before he could be turned out, then he was turned out in one of those rubber boots, to ensure no additional rubbish got in the hoof as its still growing.
He is totally sound now, has to wear pads on his front feed but then he is a thoroughbred and he has always had sensitive feet.
Do not try and rush the recovery, you do not want an infection to get in the hoof as it can travel anywhere and cause a lot of problems. Make sure you keep it as sterile as possible.
He was on total box rest, and I made a leather boot to cover the entire foot to make sure that no dirt or anything can get in. Even though its bandaged, it is hard to stop the Urine being soaked up which can cause infection.
Our dressing changes consisted of sterilising the floor, then bringing him in, taking off the leather boot, take of the metal cover, which needed a socket rench as it had 4 screws on the base, then removing the plastic tape which is that real hardy black tape that we covered the base of the bandage, remove the bandage, then cotton wool, then gause bandage, all the time trying to keep the hoof off the floor even though it was sterile, only if we could get him to stand on a sterile sheet would we put the hoof down. We then removed the packed in dressing which had tape over the front of the hoof, then had cotton wool, then gause, which was sugar and iodine one day and this cream which for the life of me I cannot remember the name of.
We cleaned it daily with iodine then packed it again. At one stage when the proud flesh was growing, the vet had to cut it out, so keep a close eye, because you dont want that to form.
He also got a bit of a smelly foot so we had this blue sprey that is a disinfectant that you spray all round the hoof even on the wound after a bit.
Mine was on box rest for a long time, however I was allowed to sedate him and take him for a little walk, but had to make sure he was sedated as he is highly strung. This went on for about 6 months before he could be turned out, then he was turned out in one of those rubber boots, to ensure no additional rubbish got in the hoof as its still growing.
He is totally sound now, has to wear pads on his front feed but then he is a thoroughbred and he has always had sensitive feet.
Do not try and rush the recovery, you do not want an infection to get in the hoof as it can travel anywhere and cause a lot of problems. Make sure you keep it as sterile as possible.
KIDNEYS
My boy had colic for the first time ever this month and I bred him so know him inside and out. We kept on field for the winter which had been rested since the March the year before and they went on it Jan 2015. We thought we were doing the right things saving it for winter, clearly we were not as the day he was on it he went quiet and sluggish on the hack. When we got back he stood head low sweating behind his ears and looking low. I kept an eye on him and after a short while he lay down and stated to roll. I thought *colic* and got him up, and he stood a while before trying to get down again so we walked him around the school but he still wanted to roll.
I decided to call the vet who came and checked him over and said his right side near his was bloated and he could feel droppings so nothing was displaced. He gave muscle relaxants and pain killer and gradually started to improve - little hay that night and turned out limited the next day. Next day fine but the one after we had to leave him out all day but on the short grass field and he came in that day fine. The day after I let him out 4 hours as he had been ok the day before. That night sweating and showing dullness and discomfort and got up and down a few times in his stable.
Called the vet again and he said if not as bad just monitor him. Well he lay down a few times then started to improve, next day back to 2 hrs out 1 + hours in. All ok but still felt early low and miserable standing head low lifeless. I decided to have bloods done and the same night started to feel bright and so on over the weekend and into next week still limited turnout. Blood results came and all ok except raised GG enzymes in kidneys which mean subtle raise from normal 49 to 52. Which meant slight inflammation, vet said subtle so leave to recover over the next 6 weeks.
Knees
A fall or slip on the roads can have a devastating or serious injury leading to infection, if your horse is prone to tripping or slipping, knee boots are a must to save any injury or impairment.
This pony below fell on the same day as these photo's were take, iodine and fucidin creme was used