Horse Hoof Abcess

We all love horses and one of our main concerns as owners is making sure our horses and ponies are happy, healthy and in tip top condition. There are a few common ailments that are easily treatable if you can spot early signs. 

One particularly trouble health condition in horses are hoof abscesses. 

A hoof abscess is a localized bacterial infection in the sensitive part of the hoof. Pus is produced as a reaction by the horse’s body to the infection which can accumulate within the layers of the hoof wall and causes increased pressure, causing significant pain. 

Most abscesses are found in the sole of the hoof, but other types of abscess can be found elsewhere. 

Signs of a Hoof Abscess
Typical signs of a hoof abscess include sudden and severe lameness and pain. The horse bears little to no weight on the leg with the abscess or may walk on its toe. 

Other signs include heat in the limb or hoof, an increased digital pulse, and can include a swollen leg and/or a low-grade fever. The tendons in the affected leg can become painful and swollen due to congestion of blood vessels. 

As the abscess progresses, the infection and pressure of purulent fluid (pus) accumulation in the hoof often cause severe pain until the infection works its way up the hoof wall and pops out at the coronary band, or the bulb of the heel or drains out the sole. 

Causes of a Hoof Abscess
A hoof abscess can be caused by a sharp object penetrating the sole of the hoof (such as a nail), or by bacteria migrating in to the defects, fissures and cracks in the white line. 

If the abscess is caused by bacteria migrating in to the hoof from the outside, a particle of sand or soil enters the softer white line area and becomes engrained in the sensitive 'lamina' area underneath the hoof wall, resulting in an infection inside the hoof. The infection can then travel up the hoof and drain at the coronary band or stay close to the sole of the hoof. An abscess can also occur under the bars of the hoof. 

The infection can also enter as a result of a nail driven too close to the white line, a hoof wall defect or hoof separation. Horses that have been shod and then go barefoot tend to have an increased chance of developing a hoof abscess until the hoof becomes stronger. 

Diagnosis of a Hoof Abscess
A hoof abscess can be diagnosed by examining the hoof for heat and pain, swelling and by the presence of a pronounced digital arterial pulse. 

If the horse is shod, the shoe is removed and the hoof cleaned. Hoof testers are often used to test the horses’ sensitivity to pressure in specific areas of the hoof to locate the point of origin. 

Treatment of a Hoof Abscess
While a hoof abscess can heal on its own, this is not recommended. An abscess can be extremely painful for the horse and the healing process will take significantly longer without intervention. It is recommended that you work with your veterinarian and/or farrier to diagnose and treat an abscess. 

If the horse is shod, the shoe is normally pulled. The hoof is then thoroughly cleaned and hoof testers can be used to help locate the point of entry and better determine the location of the abscess. 

Often a black line is identified and the line is followed to locate the infected area. Using a hoof knife or loop knife, a very small hole is made in the sole of the hoof to allow for drainage and provide relief of the pressurized fluid. When the pressure built up by the trapped pus is released from the hoof capsule, often a black or brown exudate will drain from the site and the horse will experience some relief immediately. 

If the point of origin and the abscess cannot be identified or the infection is too deep in the hoof, (the abscess could be deep in the heel/frog/bars region), no cutting or holes will be made. Cutting too much or going too deep can be more harmful than beneficial to treatment. If a drain hole is not able to be made or cannot sufficiently drain the abscess, then most likely the abscess will progress up to the coronary band and the pus will drain there…. a slower and more painful process for the horse. 

Whether a hole is made or not, it is important to keep the hoof as clean and protected as possible and to apply a poultice. If no hole is made, the poultice can help soften the sole. If a drain hole is made in the hoof, then it is imperative that the hole be protected and kept clean while the abscess drains and the hoof heals. A poultice applied to the bottom of the hoof can help pull any remaining infection out of the hoof and help to prevent the abscess from progressing up to the coronary band. 


What you can do
To help lessen the chances of your horse having a hoof abscess, maintain a regular schedule with your farrier or trim your horse on a regular basis. Often hooves with too much toe or excessive bars are more prone to hoof abscesses. 

Act promptly to treat a hoof abscess, as the healing process can usually be expedited and resolved relatively quickly with fast action. 

However, if you ever have any concerns over abscesses or other horse health problems, be sure to contact your vet.