Hoof abscess can be painful for your horse, but if you act without delay, the healing can be resolved fairly quickly. A hoof abscess will often appear as if your horse is lame and will not want to place weight on his leg. If you try to lead him, you may be met with resistance. The abscess may also be seen from underneath the hoof in the form of oozing blackish pus.

An abscess occurs when fluid or pus collects inside the hoof to fight off a source of infection. Because the hoof does not expand, the increased pressure within the hoof causes the horse pain. Left untreated, an abscess will migrate up through the hoof following the path of least resistance until it eventually seeps out through the hoof wall, often at the coronary band.

A hoof abscess can develop from an infection caused by things like:

- A puncture hole in the sole from a sharp object like a nail.

- A crack in the hoof wall allowing small pieces of gravel to become lodged within the sensitive tissue above the sole.

- Damaged caused by decreased blood circulation from shoes, poor horse shoeing or trimming.

Call your horse veterinarian at any signs of lameness or hoof abscess. If the vet isolates your horse’s pain to a hoof abscess, he may use a hoof abscess tool to create a precise hole in the hoof to allow fluid to drain more quickly. You will need to keep the hoof clean and protected. Your vet will probably instruct you to periodically soak the hoof and clean the infected area thoroughly. You may also be instructed to walk your horse daily to help increase blood circulation and to help speed up draining.

If a drain hole is unable to be made, then the course of action may be to allow the abscess to run off through the coronary band, an easy path within the hoof for pus to escape. Unfortunately, if the only course of action is for the abscess to heal on its own, this will be a slower and more painful process for your horse. Occasionally, antibiotics may be administered to ease some of the pain of a hoof abscess. Applying a poultice created from warm linseed mash may help speed the healing process by softening the hoof and increasing the blood circulation.