Just last week I was called out to a horse that was presenting as lame. I have many calls like this, and while every case is different, I’d like to highlight this particular problem.
Here’s the Scenario:
When I arrived at the property, the owner presented the horse to me explaining it had been lame for a couple of days. I examined the horse and found it was displaying tenderness on its back off-side hoof. Once I picked up the foot, I instantly saw that a screw had pierced the hoof and was lodged in the white line. I hastily took the screw out and showed the culprit to the owner. Fortunately, in this instance, minimal damage was made to the hoof.
And Yet Another:
A pony I regularly trim trotted over to me to be caught, only to go lame just meters from me. He had picked up a nail in the front off-side hoof after trotting straight through an old burn pile. I was able to instantly remove the nail, clean the wound and bandage it using the equine first aid kit I always carry in the work car. This incident cost the owner a vet bill, antibiotics, tetanus shot and a horse out of action for some weeks. One positive was that the nail didn’t touch the bone and the pony made a full recovery and is as cheeky as ever.
I am called to similar cases approximately 4 times a year and they don’t always have such a positive outcome. One such example was when a nail pierced the bursa near the navicular bone. This seemingly minor injury caused an infection was unable to be controlled and resulted in the horse being humanely euthanised.
My Takeaway Messages to Horse Owners:
- Pick out your horse’s hooves regularly. Become familiar with what is normal and what is different. If concerned – take a photo and send it to me and I will give you an instant assessment. I am more than happy to assist my customers in situations like this!
- When you have a bonfire with pieces of wood, metal and scrap, always clean up after it’s burnt or exclude the horses from the area.
- Always make sure your horses are up to date with their tetanus vaccinations.