Huge Ergots?

[*Sez*]

Salsa's "wound" just behind his fetlock is much better, but still large (around an inch and a half in diameter) and looks scabby. Still hibiscrubbing it and applying vaseline and vetalintex :rolleyes: . However, when grooming last night, I noticed he has a similar, but smaller scabby bit on the other back leg, which looked cracked but wasn't sore, and smaller still scabby areas in the same place on his forelegs. I've decided it can't be a co-incidence ;) . Could his ergots have become inflamed or infected? I've never ever noticed them to this degree before, especially not like the one on his off-hind that I have been treating as an injury or possible mud-fever for over a week. There's no other marks on his legs, no redness or scabbing on his heels or pasterns. :confused:
Could someone explain to me what ergots actually are (I know they're supposed to be the extra "toe" reduced by evolution, but what are they?) and possibly find me a good picture? Jake has a long ergot on one of his hind legs, but it just sticks out amongst his feathers and doesn't cause a problem. Salsa's is a large, almost flat (it sticks out a little) area. So I'm very confused and keep forgetting to take a camera to the yard to take a picture of what I'm talking about!

[atillathefun]

Ask your farrier next time he is out. My sisters horses ergots grow quite quickly and the farrier cuts them off.
I found this on the net but cant find a good picture - will keep looking!

Horses have evolved from the four-toed, dog like eohippus into the single toed creature we see today. Evidence of the vanished toes remains. The chestnut and ergot are cartilage like protrusions along the inside of the horse’s legs, and on the underside of the pastern joint. On some horses they grow rapidly and although no harm is done if they are left to break off naturally, they are sometimes trimmed for a neater appearance.