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Common Leg And Hoof Treatments

How to Wrap a Horse’s Hoof for an Abscess

Submitted by member: Caron

My horse has an abscess and my vet said to soak his hoof in Epsom Salt, and then pack and wrap the foot. How do I wrap it correctly so the wrap won’t fall off? Also, how do I know if I should use poultice or a sweat wrap on my horse’s legs?

Answer by Bernie

The best thing to do would be to ask your vet. However, one thing to be sure of whenever you are wrapping your horse’s foot, is that you don’t put any pressure on the coronet band (where the hoof and the hair meet). So use lots of duct tape (it wears better than vet wrap) around your horse’s hoof and heel bulbs, and use a little extra on the toe, as that’s where the most wear and tear usually occurs.

As for your question on poultice vs. a sweat wrap, you should check out the video topic Dr. Melodee Ingram did for EquestrianCoach.com on common leg and hoof treatments. In it she talks about how and when to apply various different wraps and treatments to your horse’s legs and hooves.

Common Leg and Hoof Treatments for horses

Common Leg and Hoof Treatments
Melodee Ingram
Spend some time with veterinarian, Melodee Ingram, as she takes us step by step through common do-it-yourself leg & hoof treatments. In this topic she discusses and demonstrates the proper procedures for icing, cold hosing, hoof soaking, hoof packing and the application of poultice and sweat wraps.
Running Time:  18 minutes and 44 seconds

View Video

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Bernie Traurig

As a Horseman, Bernie is renowned for not only his riding talents but for his teaching and coaching gifts. As a competitor, Bernie has represented the United States Equestrian Team both at home and abroad on many occasions and reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.After amassing 60 years worth of training and riding techniques and experiences with thousands of horses, Bernie is driven to give back to the sport that has given him so much fulfillment and success.

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