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Hoof abscesses can be described as the “accumulation of purulent exudate located between the germinal and keratinized layers of the epithelium” (Redding and O’Grady, 2012). This is an infection inside the hoof, often causing extreme pain, resulting in lameness. According to the article, “Septic Diseases Associated with the Hoof Complex,” “many abscesses form following microfracture or the formation of a similar defect in the white line or the immediately adjacent sole. […] Foreign material and bacteria are able to penetrate through the keratinized layer of the epidermis […causing] an inflammatory response that is accompanied by the migration of white cells and fluid from the dermal vessels through the basement membrane and germinal layer of the epithelium to form the abscess (Redding and O’Grady, 2012). This type of abscess is specifically called Gravel (Landers, 2011). If an abscess forms from a crack in the outside of the hoof wall, although less common, it is simply called an abscess. A misplaced nail in the dermal area of the hoof, or a puncturing injury to the hoof can both create abscesses. Once the abscess forms the horse will become lame and the digital pulse will likely increase. Hoof testers can be used to determine the location of the abscess. Once the abscess is found, it must be treated by draining (Redding and O’Grady, 2012). Soaking the affected hoof may help to open the abscess so that it may drain. Bandaging the hoof with a poultice pack or Epsom salt mixture can help draw out the infection (Mendell, 2007). Because racehorses wear shoes continually, it is likely that a slightly misplaced nail will result in an abscess; however, preventing this is very easy. A weak white line can lead to breaks in the white line, allowing for infection, so a strong and even white line is best maintained through a proper and level trim (Mendell, 2007). Hot shoeing can reduce the risk of misplacing a nail and causing an abscess (Mendell, 2007).
Hoof abscess. Dir. John Gorman. 15 Aug. 2013. YouTube.com. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RzZvG_uiLQ>.