FOOT INJURIES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 5, 29 September 1937, Page 13

FOOT INJURIES

Treatment of Horses PREVENTION OF INFECTION There are mauy Vvays in wliieli a horsg may dainago a hoof, bufc thc comiuonost iiijuries kre cttused by the animal trfiading on some sharp- objoct, puch as a nail, glaee, or a piece of wire or iron, and a general knowledge of the treatment of such "an injury is essential to the farmer who owns a team pf working horses. The most important things to T6member are that the sooner the injury is discovered the better, and the quicker the treatment the more complete ' the cure. Almost always these foreign bodies enter through the frog of the hOof, and penetrate to the "senBitive structure inside, often causing the animal great pain, and hense prevention of infection is one of the prime factors in effecting a cure. • Take the case of a nail in the hoof. Remove the nail and completely cut away the hole caused till the hoof structurft is rCvealed, and then thoroughly wash the wouud with some antiaeptio solution, sueh as Iysol. Fill the cavity with a dressing composed of iodoform one part and boracic acid six parts, or alternatively with a saturated sdlution of iodoform .and eueah yptus oil. The hOof should thea b# bandaged securely. Repeat this treatment daily till the wound is thoroughly healed. When the animal is completely fit to work again, smear the sole of -the- hoof with tar, and pack it with tow,* covering the lot with a leather sole before any further injury to the hoof, which, for a tiipe, Will be covered with only a thin layef of hom. Whenever possible, it is advisable to confine the horse to a small enclosure With plenty of feed during treatment, to minimise the amount of movement on the part of the animal.