Lame.
Went to pull Guinness out of the field yesterday, and he was three legged lame. Uh oh... no weight bearing on his right hind (of course!!).
At first I just about freaked out, but I did a quick check and found zero cuts or bangs, minimal swelling, and no response to anything in the leg or stifle. When I made him walk, he would only walk on the toe -- refusing to put weight on the heel.
Ah. Okay. Deep breath. This is an abscess.
I picked up the foot with no objections from the horse (Good. Not a stifle or hip issue!), and gave his heel a good poke with my finger. He just about flipped over.
Yep. Abscess.
Lucky for me, the thing isn't deep and is actually draining a little. The spot feels weak (it's been raining like crazy here, and I'm sure that's part of the reason he's developed a problem.), and I was able to actually express some of the pus and grossness (sorry!) with just pressure from my thumb. I flushed the whole thing with hydrogen peroxide, gave him some bute, and put him back out.
He hobbled slowly up to the grassy top field, where he would put more weight on his heel. I'm hoping the bute will encourage him to put more weight on the foot and get this thing totally popped out and healed up by Saturday's lesson time.
Wishful thinking? Maybe ... sigh.
At first I just about freaked out, but I did a quick check and found zero cuts or bangs, minimal swelling, and no response to anything in the leg or stifle. When I made him walk, he would only walk on the toe -- refusing to put weight on the heel.
 |
| Only weight on the toe. Otherwise, tubby horse is happily tubby. |
I picked up the foot with no objections from the horse (Good. Not a stifle or hip issue!), and gave his heel a good poke with my finger. He just about flipped over.
Yep. Abscess.
Lucky for me, the thing isn't deep and is actually draining a little. The spot feels weak (it's been raining like crazy here, and I'm sure that's part of the reason he's developed a problem.), and I was able to actually express some of the pus and grossness (sorry!) with just pressure from my thumb. I flushed the whole thing with hydrogen peroxide, gave him some bute, and put him back out.
 |
| Frog is sloughing off. Abscess point is just in front of my thumb. |
Wishful thinking? Maybe ... sigh.
Dang - hope he heals up fast!
ReplyDeleteUgh :( So far I haven't had to personally deal with an abscess but they suck. I hope he feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI'm glad that it wasn't anything worse. I hope that you can make your lesson :/
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks...
Deleteboo for abscesses- the horses are always so dramatic! glad you got it figured out so quickly!
ReplyDeleteMy horse is a total drama queen when it comes to foot pain. He'll man up for anything else (fetlock arthritis, anyone?!), but any sort of foot tenderness is always the END. OF. THE. WORLD. :) Love him.
DeleteOhhh abscesses! They have awful timing, but at least it seems to be draining already! Fingers crossed for speedy recovery :)
ReplyDeleteTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad ... timing. :)
DeleteAw poor buddy. Those are so painful!
ReplyDeleteI know! I have word he's feeling a little better today, but still pretty hobbled. :/
DeletePoor guy. Hoping it works itself out quickly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, me too!
DeleteHope it drains and heals quickly!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I have to ride a super green baby TB. And, that means posting the trot! GASP IN HORROR! ;)
DeletePoor guy, but glad it's already draining and healing!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteAlways something. Here's to Saturday lessons!
ReplyDelete*clink!*
DeleteOwch! Glad it is something easy to fix tho!!
ReplyDeletePoor guy!! After watching my horse go through an abscess I wouldn't wish it on any horse. It's so painful. :( I'll keep my fingers crossed he's healed up in time for your lesson.
ReplyDelete