Foot Abscess Help Please

[doris]

My poor horse has a nasty abscess in her sole. She had been 'feeling' one of her front feet for a couple of days, but I couldn't find anything wrong with her. Knowing the farrier was due today to give her a trim (she's never worn shoes), I asked him to have a look. He couldn't find anything at first, then he had a further poke around, saw a tiny black spot on her sole, had a good dig round, and out spurted all this black yukky stuff.
I called the vet to go through the poulticing bit with me. I have to poultice her foot for 2 to 5 days until the black yuk stops coming out. This I can do with Anilalintex, sticky bandage stuff, and good old Hippo tape from my builder husband.

Then I have to keep the hole dry and plugged up with Stockholm tar and cotton wool for about 8 weeks!

This is where I have a problem. How do you manage this on a big, hairy, muddy living out cob?

This is the first abscess I've had to deal with so has anyone any help, tips, hints etc on managing this process?

Thanks.

[martini55]

It does help having them in to keep it dry etc, but if that is not possible then you can either invest in a poultice boot which is probably the best option. Other than that, stick on the poultice, bandage it with vetwrap, stick a plastic bag over that and then put layer of heavy duty tape (can't remember its name!) over it and that should stay put.

[cazrider]

I have received soime really good advice about abscesses on the thread entitled "Sennie has an abscess in his foot" in the Mature Riders forum. You might like to have a look. Useful advice about using nappies instead of animalintex and vetwrap. Much cheaper. Nothing for a horse who lives out though. I'm not sure what the answer is for that.

Best of luck with her.

[galadriel]

Easy, easy foot poultice: a soaking boot.

http://www.easycareinc.com/easysoaker.aspx
or
http://www.davismanufacturing.com/products/horse_boot.html

Love mine. I use it very, very infrequently (actually I think it's been about a year and a half), but it's SO worth it when I need it.

[Bebe]

If you can get hold of a car inner tube (or motorbike) they make really good waterproof wellies to go over poultices. Cheap too.