Hoof abscess can be painful for your horse, but if you act without delay, the healing can be resolved fairly quickly. A hoof abscess will often appear as if your horse is lame and will not want to place weight on his leg. If you try to lead him, you may be met with resistance. The abscess may also be seen from underneath the hoof in the form of oozing blackish pus.
An abscess occurs when fluid or pus collects inside the hoof to fight off a source of infection. Because the hoof does not expand, the increased pressure within the hoof causes the horse pain. Left untreated, an abscess will migrate up through the hoof following the path of least resistance until it eventually seeps out through the hoof wall, often at the coronary band.
A hoof abscess can develop from an infection caused by things like:
- A puncture hole in the sole from a sharp object like a nail.
- A crack in the hoof wall allowing small pieces of gravel to become lodged within the sensitive tissue above the sole.
- Damaged caused by decreased blood circulation from shoes, poor horse shoeing or trimming.
Call your horse veterinarian at any signs of lameness or hoof abscess. If the vet isolates your horse