“There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”
Will Rogers
I watched what was happening yesterday in Washington and tried to accept the unknown. What else can you do?
Meanwhile, I wrestled with Siete’s hoof abscesses. John, the farrier, came first thing in the morning. I guess the medicine boot with the Animalintex did a good job because the abscess on that foot had drained. Siete was able to stand on it so he could check her right back hoof. He found another abscess there and cleared it out. We put a clean boot with more Animalintex on that foot.
I have two boots, but I can’t use them both at the same time because it’s too hard for her to walk. Siete is a bit testy about anything that has to do with her hooves right now. She’s okay schlepping around with one medicine boot, so I’m filling the hole in the other hoof with medication and switching them back and forth. Today, I need to call the vet and discuss what’s happening. Yesterday was too busy, and as long as I continue to treat the abscesses, I know they will go away. Siete already feels better, and all the fussing with her feet is making her very punky.
We did go through this when we lived in Virginia. The vet there believed that there was something in the soil that these “foreign” horses of mine (having come from dry, sandy California) were reacting to. It was also really wet, and until I put Siete in training in a big old dry barn, we continually had these problems. So, I am aware that we got six inches of rain this weekend. It’s not horribly muddy, but the ground is wet and sticky. I can clean my horses’ hooves and in five minutes, you’d never know that I just picked them out. I think that I need to toughen up their soles. My farrier suggested Venice turpentine and trying the old sugar and iodine in the hoof boot once the Animalintex had done the initial drawing and cleaning. I’ve also got some Keratex, which is a very good hoof hardener.
So, I’m going to stay focused on Siete’s feet and not the economy today.
7 comments:
I'd go with the Keratex. Use with care, but it will do the trick quicker than a sugardine scrub will.
Thanks, Mrs. Mom - I value your advice and I'll follow it. Keratex has been good for us in the past.
I love that quote! Don't even get me started on Washington. Good luck with that abscess. Your babies do seem to suffer a lot from that!
I've just read about a new product from Vettec called Sole-Guard, advertised as "sole protection and support for the unshod foot." Might be worth asking your vet about it when you get a chance to talk to him. I'm going to get some for my back-up arsenal, should Lyle be unable to wear his hoof boots for whatever reason.
I'm glad to hear her hooves are on the mend. I hope the wet weather stops soon and things dry out. It sounds like you've got a good plan there with the Keratx. Good luck.
Glad to read that there is light at the end of the tunnel with Siete's hooves.
I was going to ask you why you thought that Siete seemed so prone to absesses. I've often wondered what caused them.
They sound terribly uncomfortable.
I hope Siete just gets better and better quickly :)
~Lisa
Good luck with your horses abscesses, its always something with them huh? Unbelievable how fragile they are! Right now I am going through an ordeal with one of mine. I am praying she will be alright.
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