Step 1: Soak the hoof in warm water and Epsom salt (4:1 ratio) up to or beyond the coronet band and heel bulbs for 20 to 30 minutes, 1 to 2 times a day
Step 2: After soaking apply a hoof shaped piece of wet Animalintex poultice pad to the bottom of the hoof, covering the abscess
Step 3: Use vet wrap to secure the Animalintex pad in place by wrapping around the hoof capsule and heel bulbs
Step 4: Use EITHER duct tape or an abscess boot to secure the bandaging. Wrap the duct tape securely over the vet wrap while being cautious to not wrap the duct tape too tightly over the heel bulbs or cover the coronet band.
This process needs to be repeated 1-2 times daily until the horse is comfortable and there is no discharge found on the Animalintex pad. Once the abscess has stopped draining, eliminate the soaking & poulticing (Step 1 & 2) and continue with the bandaging (Steps 3 & 4) until the hoof has healed.
Treatment of an abscess can take up to 2 weeks, but if heat or swelling begins to travel up the leg, if your horse develops a fever, goes off feed or if there is no improvement seen, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Hoof abscesses can be a very painful condition. Please contact your veterinarian regarding the use and quantity of Phenylbutazone (Bute) before administration.
See our How To Poultice a Hoof video for further instruction.