Q&A with Carole: How to Beat a Hoof Abscess

No One Loves a Hoof Abscess

With a hoof abscess, it’s a matter of getting your sore horse through the ordeal. Your Cavallos have two big roles to play here, and I am asked about this often. Here’s a question that came into our Customer Service department that I feel most of us have asked, at some time:

Q: My horse has an abscess that just isn’t healing well. Our veterinarian has helped to treat the hoof, but I would love to hear what has worked well for your customers. How have other horse owners worked with veterinarians and pros to successfully heal abscesses? 

Two Big Ways Boots Can Help you Through

Here is my answer, based on my own experiences and years of feedback from our Cavallo Community Members:

A: We trust that your horse will heal from this with a bit of time. Abscesses are completely treatable, but they are painful for your horse in the process. It is great that you are already working with your veterinarian to help your horse heal. Be mindful that your horse is meant to move and movement will create the blood circulation necessary for healing. The problem is, a sore horse does not want to move. Pull out your Cavallo Boots and Pads as soon as you notice signs of discomfort. Then, take the steps necessary to correct the abscess.  

Cavallo Boots can help with the healing. The boots are easily modified to become therapy boots by simply taping up the drainage holes to prevent your solution from escaping. Twenty to thirty minutes of soaking in warm salt water will help. Your horse can still move around while being treated. After the soaking, remove the boots to welcome the oxygen. Read more about using Cavallos during healing HERE.  

So, your boots have two superpowers when dealing with an abscess… Keeping the pain at bay to keep your horse moving and healthy and working as a dynamic soaking boot. 

Trust the Horse – and this One Wanted Boots!

Annalee Fjellberg from Illinois shared this success story with us after dealing with her horse’s abscesses. Her Cavallo Boots helped her horse stay comfortable as she worked with her trimmer and specialized lameness veterinarian. They worked to discover what was causing constant abscesses. Now, the pair are able to ride the trails again with Cavallo’s Trek Boots .

“After a couple of years of riding Salina, my gaited Paso Fino, on our crushed rock trails, she developed sore feet and was having lots of abscesses,” Annalee says.  “I was told to shoe her.  During the second round of shoeing, she objected violently to the procedure, which was a first for her. I’d never seen her so adamantly refuse something before.  “Trust the horse” should always be followed as she abscessed with her shoes on. They were pulled and I began researching hoof boots, vowing to never put shoes on her again.  

“A well-known barefoot trimmer came to evaluate her, and suggested pads inside the boots for extra support, which we did,” she says. “I wish I could say that her abscesses were magically healed, but even with boots for every ride, she would at times develop abscesses. 

A Veterinarian with a Specialty

“I finally obtained the name of another vet who specialized in lameness issues.  I’m so very glad I did!  She had very up-to-date imaging equipment which showed, among other things, that my horse had a slight rotation of the cannon bone and very thin soles.  

“She recommended an endocrine test of Cushings/Insulin Resistance.  Sure enough, my 24-year old mare has IR, which is not unusual for her breed.  I immediately changed her feed to one with the lowest sugar content I could find.  Plus, I’ve used Cavallo Trek boots for probably the last four or five years. I have been so pleased with the way they stay on, and the ease of getting them on (and off) that I recommended them to a friend for her horses.

“I have to say that we are aging together, as I will be 80 years old this August, and she will be 25 in May.  My various aches and pains have mandated shorter trail rides, but thankfully, we are still able to enjoy them.”

Sign up here for Cavallo’s free newsletter and special community discounts: https://www.cavallo-inc.com/CavalloNews

Wishing you happy, healthy trails,