The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

One of the most common maladies plaguing the horse is a hoof abscess.  Hoof abscesses are bacterial infections of the hoof.  They can form as result of a puncture or simply as an opportunistic sequela to a separation at the white line.  In almost all cases, hoof abscesses are accompanied by severe lameness and heat.  The resolution of hoof abscesses start with the establishment of drainage.  In the hoof, it is best performed by softening the hoof material and allowing the pressure within the abscess to seek the path of least resistance and ultimately relieve its contents outside of the hoof.  I find the soaking foot wrap to be the most effective means of soaking the hoof.

We first start by gathering the materials and having them at hand:

1. high quality duct tape
2. epsom salts
3. cotton batting material (enough for a 12x12 in square); I prefer “practical cotton roll”
4. Vetrap

Next, preform a mat of duct tape by forming a 6x6 in square of duct tape with multiple strips.

The wrap is applied as follows:

1. Hold foot so that sole is parallel to floor and fill sole with loose epsom salts

2. Place cotton batting over the sole; assuring that the heel bulbs are covered

3. Wrap foot with Vetrap; assuring that the wrap extends over the heel bulbs

4. Place the duct tape mat over the bottom of the foot

5. Put several layers of duct tape circumferentially around the hoof perimeter

6. Inspect the bandage to assure that is no binding contact of the Vetrap directly against the skin

7. Place foot in bucket of warm water until air bubbles stop coming out of bandage

(alternatively, for the “bucket challenged”  (aka “nerd”) horse, a finger can be placed into the bandage to allow water to be poured into it)