Hey all! I thought I had a classic abcess end of last week with my mare. Rode thursday evening, next morning walking on toe in hind foot with strong pulse. No other marks or swelling. SO I did the usual soak-pack-wrap and an abscess hasnt busted ( I know they can take some time) but she has steadily improved each day rather than the burst and sound abscess scenario. I'm thinking for whatever reason she kicked the fence dead on with her foot and bruised the crud out of it. Its been 5 days now and I'm thinking instead of packing and wrapping switching to magic cushion or Rickens to treat bruised sole. I do have an appointment friday with my vet since its not an emergency. What are you guys thinking? And I started her on isoxuprine the day I saw the lameness. Bruise or abscess that stuff works great to increase blood flow and get it healed up. Thanks! 

Last June, my gelding was LAME all of a sudden on RF. Had farrier out, had vet out next day--both attributed it just to him having thin soles. A couple days later, he was sound again. Then about a month later, a big abscess blew out the coronet band (and the farrier opened it up on solar side of hoof on the same day) and it drained for 2 days. I used Animalintex for about 5 days total to draw out all the gunk. But that whole month or so, when he was lame and then sound, I think it was the abscess working its way out. I read an article that said that sometimes, as it moves through different "layers" or crosses different barriers in the hoof, it can hurt more and less at certain times until it finally blows.

   A bruise is essentially a collection of blood after trauma of some variety- usually stepping on a rock, hard surface etc.

  A bruise can either be absorbed and resolve on its own... OR, that collection of blood can become infected and therefore turn into an abscess, which will fester, and show true abscess signs of swelling, drainage tracts etc. 

Thanks! I figured as much. I'm almost starting to think it may just be sore/Sting if in fact it was her kicking the fence. Rickens or magic cushion is great for sore feet. I just hate how sticky magic cushion is. LOL 

I will add that she is going sound enough I have been ponying her off my other horse for about 15 minutes every evening. I've heard thats good to flex that hoof wall and get things moving.