Sudden Lameness

            Common Causes of Sudden Lameness in the hoof

The day of the big trail ride is here.  You go out to the barn whistling a happy tune; you couldn’t be happier this morning.  Is there anything better than a long, lazy trail ride on a cool autumn day?  You grab a halter and call Sparky to the barn.

Sparky turns his head to you and nickers.  Then he starts to make his way up to the barn.  You notice he is wearing a cast and walking on crutches; the other horses are pushing a wheelchair just behind him.  He can barely crawl 2 metres before the pain overtakes him; he lies back down and fumbles with his pain pills.  You still think maybe old Sparky can make it for the trail ride, so you call him again.  Sparky drags himself across the grass on his stomach until he reaches you and collapses.  Sparky’s big sad eyes tell you all you need to know; you are not going on a trail ride today.  You have been hoofed.

Hoof issues can strike anytime, anywhere, often without warning.  The good news is that an issue that seems to pop up overnight is usually easily addressed with time off and some simple remedies.  The horse should return to full function, good as new, within a few days.

Obviously, when a horse presents like old Sparky the first thing the horse owner should do is grab a hoof pick and check for embedded stones and pebbles or foreign objects like metal, nails or glass.  A lot of horse owners are uncertain as to which hoof hurts and while they have had the head bobbing theory explained,  it is like algebra; you think you get it until it is time for the big test, then you forget everything.  Basically put, a horse will bob his head when he is putting weight on the hoof that hurts. (see my previous article ‘is your horse lame’)  It is also relatively easy to figure out the source hoof by asking Sparky to give his feet to be picked.  He will most likely balk or refuse to pick up his good hoof; in other words, he does not want his weight to be on his bad hoof while you are picking his good one.  Use this opportunity to feel for any heat in the hoof; feel all feet as an indication of normal temperature to better judge if one hoof is “hot.”  Check his legs up to his shoulders as well for any soreness or potential swelling or injury; sometimes horse owners go right to the foot and forget that a leg or shoulder injury can cause limping as well.  Also consider when he was trimmed last; if it was very recent, could he be sensitive?

There are a few rapid onset hoof issues that usually don’t require a lot of extraordinary care.

Ø Abscesses: If a horse steps on a sharp object that punctures the sole or whiteline of his hoof, a hole is created through which dirt can enter.  The hoof immediately surrounds the invading dirt with pus and tries to expel it; sometimes it “blows” back out through the sole, and sometimes it “gravels,” or moves upwards to “blow” out of the coronary band.  There are and have been many ideas on treating an abscess.

Ø  As a farrier in Europe, I will say, you should call the vet. The vet will sometimes refer the horse to the farrier. I will however never walk away from a horse with an abscess. I will open the abscess and flush it, I will also recommend that the foot be kept clean and dry for a couple of days. Usually the horse will show immediate improvement.

Common Abscess in the Whiteline.

Ø Another popular way is to do an Epsom salts soak, wrap the hoof in a babys nappy, and then tape it in place.  Others feel soaking the hoof makes it too soft and vulnerable to more injury.  Some say leave the horse stalled, others say letting him out will allow his body to “pound” the abscess out naturally.  A few horse owners call a vet out immediately, others tough it out, and still others call the farrier.  No matter what form of treatment you may take, If the horse is not getting better within a few days, call the vet to insure there is no infection that needs to be addressed.

Ø Stone bruises: These purplish or dark gray colored spots on the bottom of a horse’s hoof indicate that he stepped on something that has caused a bruise.  Generally, these will clear up on their own but they can occasionally turn into an abscess.  If the horse is not better within a day or two, consider calling the vet to have him examined and be sure the bruise has not turned into something more worrisome, like an abscess.

Ø Embedded objects:  If a horse can find it and step on it, he will.  Metal such as nails, pebbles from standing on stone dust or walking in the pasture, or pieces of glass can puncture the sole.  If you can pull the object out in its entirety, do so and then monitor the horse for the development of an abscess.  You may need to consider calling a vet out for a tetanus shot for Sparky; call him and see what he thinks.  If the object is deeply embedded or you do not think you can safely pull it out, call in the vet or the farrier.

Even though you may not be riding Sparky for a few days, take comfort in knowing that his sudden development of hoof and foot pain is usually caused by one of these three things and with the right care and a little recovery time, old Sparky will be back to spooking at horse-killing rocks on the trails in no time.