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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, March 22, 2017
The Farrier’s Corner: by Raymond and Michelle Smith
Muddy Hooves
It has been very wet in the
Valley this fall and winter. At this
point, spring isn’t looking much
drier. With all this moisture comes
muck and mud – closely followed by
nasty hoof problems.
Anyone who has been around
horses long enough has encountered
abscesses. Abscesses can occur at
any time of year, but are generally
more common in wetter seasons.
Most frequently, abscesses form
when bacteria are introduced into
the sensitive tissues of the foot
and then sealed off to fester. This
can occur when an animal steps
upon a sharp object and punctures
the hoof. Even tiny punctures can
result in abscesses if they go deeply
enough. Bacteria can also travel into
sensitive tissue via cracks, splits or
separations in the hoof wall and sole.
As hooves soften and expand in wet
conditions, the white line and sole
become more susceptible to bacterial
invasion. Horses with a history of
laminitis/founder, especially those
with stretched laminae, are often
more susceptible to abscessing. The
longer the hooves soak in muddy
conditions, the greater the risk of
bacterial infection.
Another type of abscess results
from extreme hoof bruising. If
bruising is severe enough to result
in internal tissue death (necrosis),
abscesses may develop. This
particular type of abscess occurs
without regard to soil moisture
conditions.
Symptoms of abscesses may
include: heat in the affected hoof
and/or pastern, possible swelling
and lameness. Abscesses can be
ROGUE VALLEY
extremely painful and lameness may
range from mild to severe. In the
worst cases, the animal may refuse
to bear any weight on the affected
limb.
In some cases, an obvious
puncture may be visible. In other
cases, a puncture or tract may be
located only after paring of the sole.
Still other cases will have no obvious
puncture. In these instances, bacteria
likely entered through existing
breaches in the wall and sole.
If the abscess can be opened
and drained, visible pain relief
is immediately obvious. While
healing, the foot should be kept
clean through wraps, boots or dry
stalling. The drain hole must remain
open and free of filth. Healing time
can take anywhere from weeks to
months depending on the severity of
the abscess.
Unfortunately, abscesses are
not always located on the initial
attempt. In these cases, repeated
soakings in buckets or soaker boots,
poultices, or antibiotics may be
necessary to encourage the abscess
to erupt and/or clear. Abscesses will
generally blow out following the
path of least resistance. This may
be anywhere from the hairline to
the sole. Blow outs on the hoof wall
generally appear as horizontal splits.
Stubborn abscesses that refuse to
clear, or recur frequently, require
immediate veterinary attention.
Scratches is a dermatitis of
the pastern region. It is caused by a
fungus but can involve an anaerobic
bacterial component. It generally
occurs to the rear of the pastern
between the fetlock and heel. It is
commonly associated with persistent
muddy stabling conditions, moisture
and cold. Scratches appear as a
chapped, scabby or crusted patch.
The area maybe tender to the touch
and the bulb of the heel may be
visibly red and inflamed. In some
cases, leg swelling may be present.
Scratches is also known as
pastern dermatitis, mud fever or dew
poisoning. The terms “scratches”
and “grease heel” are often used
interchangeably. However, some
equine practitioners make a
distinction between the two, stating
that grease heel is either a specific
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Senior SPoTLiGHT
i.V. Wellness resources
What is volunteerism? Volunteer service is unpaid
service that directly benefits the community, and is
intended to promote goodness or improve human quality
of life. Volunteering can give you the opportunity to try
something new, gain experience, develop skills, improve
your career prospects, build confidence and meet dif-
ferent kinds of people and make new friends. Getting
involved in something new can be a real challenge.
Community service involvement teaches people of
all ages and backgrounds compassion and understanding
and can be used as a way to advocate for causes that you
are personally passionate about.
Perhaps the first and biggest benefit from volunteering
is the satisfaction of making a difference in your commu-
nity and country. The intangible benefits alone—such as
pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment—are worthwhile
reasons to serve.
Over the past two decades there has been a growing
body of research that indicates volunteering provides in-
dividual health benefits in addition to social ones. Those
who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater func-
tional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life
than those who do not volunteer. Older volunteers are the
SWISS STYLE STEAk
If you need meals
delivered or want to
volunteer please call
541-955-8839.
of deep abrasive footing should
be avoided. The latter can lead to
pastern irritation and skin sores
which open pathways to infection.
If contracted, scratches is generally
treatable by careful cleaning and
topical medications.
Regardless of the weather, it
is a good practice to keep a close
eye on your animals’ hooves. If you
see something suspicious, contact
your vet or farrier immediately. The
sooner infections are dealt with the
better!
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condition of the skin’s oil glands
or eczema. In severe cases, both
conditions can lead to lameness.
Scratches is most easily
avoided by providing clean dry
stabling areas. In muddy, wet
regions, this is often easier said than
done. Another method to help avoid
the condition is to clip long, matted
and/or dirty fetlock hair. While
fetlock hair can serve a protective
function, filthy hair encourages
infection. In addition, excessive
washing of the lower legs and use
most likely to receive greater benefits from volunteering,
either because they are more likely to face a higher inci-
dence of illness or because volunteering provides them
with physical and social activity and a sense of purpose
at a time when their social roles are changing.
It’s been suggested that physicians should start pre-
scribing volunteerism. Part of finding the right volunteer
opportunity is being honest about what you hope to learn
and accomplish. If in the process of meeting your per-
sonal and professional goals, you are also serving as an
effective volunteer, helping to meet the goals of your par-
ticular volunteer project or role, and/or helping to move
an organization’s mission forward, it’s a win-win situa-
tion. Lastly, don’t forget that sometimes it just feels good
to be valued; as a volunteer you can contribute unique
skills, experiences, and perspectives. Illinois Valley
Wellness Resources has lots of volunteer opportunities to
challenge you and to benefit our community. Please give
Laura Mancuso a call at 541-9781 and become part of the
solution!
You can contact I.V. Wellness Resources at www.
ivwellnessresources@gmail.com. Please like our Face-
book page by searching for ivwellnessresources.
Senior BULLeTin
CHAIR FITNESS
HOME SAFETY
FREE ADS
EVALUATAIONS
Classes FREE at
If you are a senior and want
If you are in need of a home
Healthy U, Monday
to place a FREE AD for a
safety evaluation with a reg- living or health care need
and Wednesdays from 2
istered nurse please call I.V.
call Laura Mancuso at
- 2:45 p.m. 535 E. River
Wellness Resources for an
541-592-2541 or email
St., Cave Junction Call
appointment. We have flex-
laura@illinois-valley-news.
541-592-4888 or visit
ible hours to meet your needs.
com.
www.healthyucenter.org.
Call 541-592-9781.
AARP TAx-AIDE
PROGRAM
Providing free tax assistance
for middle & low incomes.
Tax counselors are IRS-cer-
tified. Call 541-592-6139 for
a Wednesday appointment in
Cave Junction.
WAnTeD
ILLINOIS VALLEY
WELLNESS
RESOURCES
SEEKING SERVICES
Valley seniors are
looking for transportation,
caregivers, firewood,
handymen, computer
skills, housekeepers and
yard work.
If you would like to
provide one of these
services and will complete
a background check and
have references, please
contact Laura Mancuso at
541-592-9781.
RESOURCES
AVAILABLE
If you are a senior or
disabled resident and
are looking for a help to
stay safely in your home
please call Illinois Valley
Wellness Resources at
541-592-9781.
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29910 Redwood Hwy
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