When to turn out after an abscess?

Question

Haven't been able to get in touch with my vet today, but just want some advice and other opinions.

My TB just had an abscess opened last Monday 3/18, the vet cut just enough to open and drain it. We have been doing oral antibiotics, soaking, etc. As of Monday 3/25 he has been sound again. I have started lightly riding him and he has been very willing and happy to work. He has been stall rested with just 1-2 hours in a very dry arena every day.

I would really love to turn him out with his herd tomorrow since it's going to be a really nice day. However, it's really muddy in their pasture and there is no other option for all day turn out at my boarding farm aside from this area. He is still finishing his antibiotics but is sound. Today when I rode him, he was comfortable at the walk and trot, but his back was definitely tense at the canter (which is very unlike him). I'm sure a lot of it has to do with being in his stall for almost two weeks now and not being able to roll and move freely, so I'd love him to go outside.

But... do I want to wait to turn out longer? Or go ahead and let him out tomorrow? It's muddy out there but it has not rained for 4 days here so it's about as dry as it will be for a while. It's supposed to rain this weekend, so if he doesn't go out tomorrow it's going to be a while for another nice day.

Opinions?

KDavidson · Accepted Answer

Id turn him out for awhile. If his hoof is packed and still draining, put an easy boot on. If not, he should be fine to go out without covering it.

Tipperoosky · Answer

I just keep them out and don't work them until the abscess is no longer painful. It actually helps the abscess move down and burst if the horse is moving. I still pack and wrap just let them mosey as normal. I do avoid wet or muddy turnout. Since and abscess is not a joint/tendon lameness I have never really seen a reason to keep them in. I might rest a horse with a bruise for a couple days and just let them chill out in the arena for a few hours in the morning/evening while I do other stuff. So they can avoid any rocks that make bruises worse. That's just what I do and I have never had a problem. But I am not a vet. If his foot hurts he most likely wont make a huge fuss anyway but a cc or two of ace before turnout never hurt anybody.

Finley · Answer

believe it or not, mud is a natural poultice. 

people have used mud to help draw out infections.

that said, muddy paddocks can also have manure in them, so that's not too healthy.

that said, it's fine to let him out, I would simply:
either:

a) let him out free then hose off his foot afterwards and doctor it with some epsolm salt or beta dine
or
b) put a diaper (yes a diaper) on the foot, put vet wrap over the diaper and then duct tape it to secure it to the hoof, then let the horse out

I had a horse with an absess and the vet said no turn out, yeah whatever. I let him out like normal and he was fine. I just made sure to keep the hoof clean afterwards and I also would put a "boot" like I mentioned above (in choice b) as needed.

He was fine after 2 weeks
(and he was dead lame before with the abscess til it blew)

Hobo L · Answer

Since it's been less than a month since the abcess has been opened, it hasn't completely filled in and healed. So turning him out without some type of hoof boot or protection in muddy mucky pastures isn't a good idea. If you have good hoof protection for him that will keep the mud and muck out of the abcess site, then you should be able to turn him out.

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When to turn out after an abscess?

4 Answers