When a horse does not want to bear weight on a particular foot and has difficulty moving around, an abscess is one of the first things that come to mind. Such is the case with Siegfried today. At breakfast I found him near the fence, not wanting to move. I took his meal to him and it took him quite some time to walk to his shelter, where he likes to be during the day. Hoof trimming was very difficult for him, as really the foot that hurt was the only one he was willing to pick up for any period of time.
During my afternoon check, he had ran out of water in the shelter and gotten outside and found himself in a bind--near the gate, unable to go any further. He calls to me when I get to him.
My typical protocol for abscesses is to feed anti-inflammatory and circulatory herbs along with homeopathics and biochemical tissues salts to ease the pain, and help bring the abscess to a head.
It was much easier to clean the feed pan and use it to soak the foot, than to get his big draft foot in a soaking boot!
Fortunately Siegfried is a good boy, loves water and to get his feet wet! Warm water, with a bit of tea tree and lavender oil will help clean the foot and fight infection.
Feel better SOON big guy!! :)
Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. www.ferrellhollowfarm.net
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