I am fairly new to the group but know that there is a lot of
knowledge here. I need it. I have a 18 YO chronic foundered
Thoroughbred. Both fronts are involved. We have been doing a
barefoot trim and rehabing now since Jan 22, 2007. 2 weeks ago he
became extremely hesitant to move. I have had this before and it
ended up that he was abscessing. We have had two battles with
abscessing and both were in the worst foundered hoof. This time it
was in the less affected but still rotated hoof. I finally got to
pick up his hoof and started feeling around for a soft spot. It
appeared to be soft along one whole side of the frog. When I pushed
it all moved. I picked out around frog and when I got to apex, I hit
something and got a flow of blood. (bright Red) It flowed he felt
better, I soaked in Apple cider Vinegar and have been doing that
since. he is back on bute and is finally moving around again. The
apex area still reopens and a small amount of fresh blood comes
out. My understanding is that this is not a good kind of abscess
and what do I do? He is better today but it still flows fresh
blood. Not much but it still builds up. Do I just treat like any
other abscess. Also this time he has been laying down alot and has
sores developing. What works best to coat these? Any help is
appreciated.

Angela
Tampa FL