HELP!!

We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

HELP!!; bleeding sores on fetlocks
Topic Started: Jul 19 2009, 09:04 AM (136 Views)
mercury1	Jul 19 2009, 09:04 AM Post #1
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Posts: 333 Group: Members Member #2,378 Joined: December 14, 2007	I can't seem to gain control of the nickel/quarter size open sores my 20 y.o. TB gelding has developed on the fronts of both front fetlocks. I've tried corona, wonder dust, and various other ointments only to get progress then find him randomly with blood dripping down his pasterns and feet. I've been battling this issue for almost two months now. Finally, I put some gauze on the sores, then held it in place with some turnout boots thinking it would offer some protection. He came back the next morning with huge swollen legs and the worst bacterial infection ever, probably from wearing the boots on grass/moisture? I'm now having to cold hose, stall rest, and wet-to-dry bandage both legs daily in addition to SMZ's. Once I get the infection under control, what the heck should I do about the fetlock sores that started this whole mess in the first place??!!! Note, his living condition has not changed in the past 3 years. He's out 24/7 on grass with the ability to come into the barn whenever. I'm guessing it's the way he's laying, but what's with the change?



tarragon	Jul 19 2009, 12:39 PM Post #2
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,528 Group: Members Member #1,122 Joined: June 9, 2007	I know this sounds crazy, but the best thing I've found for hock sores or fetlock sores is duct tape. Just cut a piece of tape a little larger than the sore and stick it on. Replace it when it falls off until the area is healed. The tape keeps them from breaking open the sore area every time they lie down and lets the area heal.



2hsmommy	Jul 20 2009, 05:27 AM Post #3
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,036 Group: Members Member #5 Joined: January 3, 2007	My boy gets those too. I hate them. They start to heal up, then he opens them back up again Thankfully we only have one going on right now. http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04602&bhcd2=1248092489 - Bed Sore boots. We (well not me, my trainer) will turn him out in polos too, over night. Turnout boots just get to hot in the summer.



DairyQueen2049	Jul 20 2009, 06:28 AM Post #4
DRAGON BREATH. DRAGGIN' BUTT Posts: 7,545 Group: Members Member #385 Joined: January 17, 2007	Awww your poor pony!!! I have luck with Healex and a burn pad (teflex pad) and vetwrap - but with 24/7 turn out I have not had this problem in many years.



mercury1	Jul 20 2009, 11:52 AM Post #5
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Posts: 333 Group: Members Member #2,378 Joined: December 14, 2007	Thanks guys! I ordered the Bed Sore Boots. At least it will give me something quicker and easier than wrapping to help heal them. I may try the duct tape idea once they are healed, to see if it will stay on for long. He's out 24/7 now, so I can't improve much in that department. The strange thing is that it's just now happening when I've never had this problem before. Do you think it could be that he's getting older and less athletic (also fatter) causing him to have more trouble laying down or getting up? Maybe I should excercise him more and see if that helps....this is the first summer he's been off work completely.



tarragon	Jul 20 2009, 12:39 PM Post #6
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,528 Group: Members Member #1,122 Joined: June 9, 2007	I do think that having a harder time getting up or down can make them more prone to getting hock or fetlock sores. My mare had had hock sores that cleared up immediately after having her hocks injected last year.



2hsmommy	Jul 21 2009, 04:35 AM Post #7
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,036 Group: Members Member #5 Joined: January 3, 2007	My guy is 18 and is as fit as a fiddle. Though probably a little creaky getting up/going down.



SnackPack	Jul 21 2009, 09:41 AM Post #8
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,126 Group: Members Member #238 Joined: January 8, 2007	Show came to me with horrible scars on both front fetlocks from bedsores...I suppose wones that weren't taken care of. They would occasionally open if there wasn't enough shavings in his stall. He's been fine so far out in pasture. Elf is living in 'bedsore' hell. This one set of pipe corrals that is not bedded is known for giving them bedsores. Elf had one starting within two nights. :eek: He is now wearing upside down bellboots 24/7. I prefer this over the bedsores boots as they don't irritate the tendon. I guess the new Cashel bedsore boots are better, but it still concerns me to have something wrapped over a small part of the back of the leg all the time. The sores can be so hard to control, you almost get them healed and then they break open again. They truly exemplify 'an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.'



gunnar	Jul 21 2009, 10:19 AM Post #9
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,140 Group: Members Member #236 Joined: January 8, 2007	Bag Balm is great for hock sores!



Delia	Jul 23 2009, 01:11 PM Post #10
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,502 Group: Members Member #681 Joined: January 31, 2007	My gelding also started getting fetlock sores right around when he turned 19, but only in the summer. He also has 24/7 access to turnout and usually naps outside rather than in his stall. I definitely think the sores are caused by how they get up when the ground's hard. I found that right after I had his hocks injected the sores went away (I had been having his hocks injected periodically for years, but he was overdue at the time). Since then I make sure to do the hocks about every 9-12 months since he's only in light flat work now, and the sores haven't come back.



1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)


« Previous Topic · The ER · Next Topic »