Symptoms:

Abscesses in the hoof are typically characterized by sudden-onset,

severe lameness. In some cases, the horse may refuse to put any
weight at all on the affected hoof. and swelling in the lower leg.
If left untreated, the abscess may erupt on its own through the sole of
the hoof or at the coronary band.

Causes:
A hoof abscess can start with a puncture wound caused by the horse stepping on a sharp
object in the barn , or a misplaced horse shoe nail. The hole allows bacteria to enter the
hoof, where it thrives in the warm, dark environment. While the bacteria eat away at the
hoof tissue, the horse's immune system attacks. The resulting pocket of bacteria, white
blood cells, and dead hoof tissue puts pressure on the sensitive structures of the horse's
hoof, causing the pain response.
Treatment:
Once the vet has located and drained the abscess, the key is to keep the area clean to avoid re-
infection. The hoof should be soaked in a solution of a disinfectant to help draw out any
remaining infection. The hoof should be kept bandaged until it has healed.
• Pain Killers
•Anti inflammatory medicine & Better Management.
Symptoms:
A crack in the hoof wall originating at the coronary band is known as a quarter
crack when it occurs on the side--or quarters--of the hoof. Toe cracks may also
occur, but are less common. These cracks typically begin on the inside of the
hoof, where they are not visible, and become obvious when the crack reaches the
surface of the hoof wall. Affected horses will not always be lame, but if the area
becomes infected, it can cause severe pain.

Causes
Cracks can be caused by trauma to the coronary band or heavy concussion, such as work
on hard surfaces. Horses with weak or thin hoof walls are more prone to quarter cracks.
Poor hoof conformation or an improper trim—especially long toes and underrun heels--can
also lead to cracks. Quarter cracks can affect any breed of horse in any sport, but tend to be
more common in race horses.
Treatment:
If the hoof is infected, open the crack to disinfect the area and remove any
dead tissue, if necessary. In some cases, repair the crack using screws, staples,
or wire lacing. The horse will usually require special shoeing to relieve
pressure while the crack heals and begins to grow out. In most cases, your
cover the crack with an acrylic patch to reinforce the repair.
 Thrush in horses is a degenerative (condition ) infection
of the frog. In classic cases it results from the softening and
damage to these soft tissue structures of the horse’s foot
through standing on wet, dirty bedding.
Causes : Stabling on muddy ground
: damp, swampy or marshy pasture.
Poor foot conformation (especially of the frog)
Poor or incorrect foot trimming/shoeing
 bacteria including the sheep foot rot organism
fusobacterium necrophorum get chance in such condition
and rots away the soft tissue of frog.
 The most obvious sign of thrush is a foul-smelling, black
discharge from the frog, which itself may have softer spots
and appear irregular in shape, with no apparent
discomfort or lameness .
 If the infection is severe it can under run the adjacent
sole and spread to involve the deeper structures, such as
the digital cushion, hoof wall and heel bulb. Then there may
be some pain on palpation around the frog and bulbs of the
heel, together with filling of the limbs and a varying degree
of unsoundness.
 The underlying cause needs to be identified and removed.
The horse should be moved to a clean, dry environment and the
feet cleaned daily.
 All dead and/or damaged tissue needs to be pared away on at least
one occasion until healthy tissue is reached.
 topical treatment with a caustic material such as 10% formalin,
chlorine bleach, phenol or providone iodine .
 An antibiotic solution or spray should then be applied and if the
trimming has been extensive, bandaging may be necessary.
 The hoof and its environment should be kept as dry and clean as
possible .
 Canker is a chronic hypertrophy and apparent
suppuration of the horn-producing tissues of the foot,
involving the frog and the sole.
 Exact cause is unknown ,but bacteria is said to be the
cause.
 Causes of Canker

 These pile up on each other to create the disease – so

it’s a “soup” of causes all mixed in, with the percent
of each trigger different in each case.
 1. Viral – bovine papilloma virus
2. Bacterial – anaerobes, including Treponema
Spirochete
3. Bacterial – aerobes
4. Proliferative abnormal tissue – proud
flesh/hyperkeratosis, hyperplastic tissue
5. Fungal elements probable
6. Nematode (worms) probable
Differences
Canker Thrush

Only sulcus (grooves) of

All over body of frog,
Where? the frog – not the body,
sole
not sole

Yes, large amounts of

proud flesh or even
Proliferate Tissue? No
tentacles of abnormal
tissue

Yellow, white melting

Color of Exudate Usually black
cheese-like

Time to heal 3-4 weeks 1 week

Common No Yes

Oral antibiotics used Yes No

Spirochete Aspect Yes No

Bleeds easily Yes No

Viral Aspect Yes No

Worm Aspect Yes No

It is infection and necrosis of collatral cartilages .
Infection passes through sole ,wall or frog. Or from
wound at corornary band region.

Signs : Intermittent lameness accompanied by

purulent discharge and swelling.
Lameness subsides after discharge .

Treatment: Recommended treatment is

removal of infected cartilages
 Hoof wall separation(Seedy Toe)
 Corns : Bruises at the sole at the angle between the
walls and the bars.
 Nail Bind : When nail of shoe is driven closely to the
sensitive structure resulting in pressure and
inflammation .