Hoof help - the callous after the resect

[SedonaThunder]

When I met Timber on March 12th his left rear hoof looked like this - and they told me the resect was about a week old.
http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/42171/2117838790057455579S425x425Q85.jpg

We did our best to wash it out regularly but he was in fetlock deep mud for four hours a day and it didn't stay exactly clean. By July 6th it looked like this. Although the "hole" on the outside wall had hit the ground there still appeared to be a hole inside the wall (when viewed from bottom but I have no photo). We cleaned it out weekly (soaked in warm water) and syringed it with tea tree oil for another six weeks.
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/36074/2816839410057455579S425x425Q85.jpg

It no longer seems to bother him and looks normal from the outside but underneath it is strange and there is a sort of callous growing around the damaged area. I have been timid in trimming (try to do this every four weeks) as I'm not sure what to do with this area - I know that toe needs to be brought back but I didn't know if it will hurt anything to take some of this away. Any help would be much appreciated!
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/11719/2787906530057455579S425x425Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/41852/2086096750057455579S425x425Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/2701/2221843620057455579S425x425Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/20483/2186546300057455579S425x425Q85.jpg

[JackieB]

I've never seen anything like that before, Sedona. Steve will know what to do when he sees your pictures.

Do you mind if I ask why you alllowed the hoof wall to get so long in general? Did you not want to trim while his hoof was healing? Just curious.

[SedonaThunder]

He came to me with long toes and tall heels - not to mention shoes. I had a farrier who I loved that came out (you many have heard this whole thing over on h.com) but then wouldn't return my calls and finally told me that he was super busy and coming way out here for one horse wasn't worth his time.:( He was sweet and went on to tell me that I was doing a fine job (he went over all four horses while here to critique my work and give me pointers - one of which was to be more aggressive on the toes;)) and Timber would probably be better off without shoes for a while.

Anyway, I trim him every 4 weeks but have always been fearful of trimming much around that hole. I have been sick and had no strength so what you see is six weeks - six weeks ago I had that wall down 1/8" higher than the sole... but his sole is also starting to get some concavity for the first time since he's been here - his soles were FLAT. While that "hole" was growing out I was having a hard time knowing how far back I could cut into it so I've been timid... I have called around to a couple different farriers and friends but it seems all farriers in my area are quite busy and won't take on a "one horse visit". I believe if I had one horse they would come - but it is knowing I have four and don't want them to do all of them that makes them irritated. My other three are barefoot and I'm happy with that, but I've been more than willing to put shoes on Timber if need be.

[lovesfortune]

That is strange. Looking forward to what the experts say.

[palomino]

I would dig the debris out of the stretched area. that will allow it to grow closed. get a soaker boot or whatever and soak the foot, get a hoof knife and dig all that dirt and debris out of there, and take that callous down with the knife (dont dig into sole, just taking that off and getting it cleaned out will let it grow closed. I see that alot- not from the same thing, but just laminae that is stretched, allowing debris to enter and seperate it. its an easy fix IMO. Just get it cleaned out, and I bet you will see it start to close. REALLLLY CLEAN though- daily.

[SedonaThunder]

Thanks for responding Pamela!:)
I would dig the debris out of the stretched area. that will allow it to grow closed. get a soaker boot or whatever and soak the foot, get a hoof knife and dig all that dirt and debris out of there, and take that callous down with the knife (dont dig into sole, just taking that off and getting it cleaned out will let it grow closed. Let me make sure I get this right... clean it, soak it, clean it some more, take the callous down to sole level... and then are you saying to keep it covered or just soak it once a day? What about the wall height on the outside of the "hole"? I've been trying to keep it rasped shorter so it's up off the ground and not getting pressure - afraid it might break off or at least chip.
I see that alot- not from the same thing, but just laminae that is stretched, allowing debris to enter and seperate it. its an easy fix IMO. Just get it cleaned out, and I bet you will see it start to close. REALLLLY CLEAN though- daily. I feel so much better just hearing you say you've seen this before - it is new to me and is intimidating... it really throws off the "guide" for trimming the bottom of that hoof.

[JackieB]

Anyway, I trim him every 4 weeks but have always been fearful of trimming much around that hole.

I would be, too. Although I think you can be more confident if HF sees this and offers advice.

I know all about being timid.:) I've goofed up good twice now (you will recall one time last winter for sure). Fortunately, I have Buster's hooves about where I want them now and hope that I can just trim every four weeks and not have to do much more than clean up a bit.

[SedonaThunder]

I know all about being timid.:) I've goofed up good twice now (you will recall one time last winter for sure).
Jackie, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and your ability to always make someone (me in this case!) feel better - thank you for that.:)

[HoustonFarrier]

Thats just some hoofwall seperation.....from being weak due to the previous infection/resection. I would remove that portion of the callous, and do a real small resection of that portion of the hoof wall, making sure that part is "floated". If there is no hidden infection behind that seperation, it should grow out just fine. If you do find some black "goop" growing in there, you need to follow the track and get it all out.

Steve

[JackieB]

Jackie, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and your ability to always make someone (me in this case!) feel better - thank you for that.:)

Thanks, Sedona. I can assure you that the pleasure of helping others feel that they aren't the only ones to have experienced a particular, unpleasant situation, is all mine. I've needed this a lot during my life and can't express in words how grateful I am to have been surrounded by people, most especially my wife, who have helped lift me up. The least I can do is try to empathize with others and help them a little bit.

There is a line from a Rolling Stones song that I really like -

"We all need someone we can lean on. Well if you want to, you can lean on me." :)

[westmanfarrier]

Clean out not only the black goop, but the cheesy white tissue you will probably find under the dirt. If you don't get it cleaned up, you will be looking at another large resect. Looks like you have used Thrushbuster before, it is pretty good about penetrating along the fungi/bacteria tracks. Clean up area, apply thrushbuster, follow tracks with hoof knife (I would suggest using your farrier for this with a skilled hand, as you will be mere millimeters from sensitive tissue).

[palomino]

If you arent too pressed for time, white lightning will really get that gunk out of there- and yes, if you are leery, your hoof care pro could dig that out and clean it up for you. Once that grows out, you shouldnt have any issues with chipping etc.
grandcircuitinc.com is where you can get white lightning- you mix it with equal parts of white vinegar (in a soaker boot wrapped at the top) and it forms a chlorine gas that really gets up in there without attacking live tissue.
Glad you feel better!!

[SedonaThunder]

Thank you all so much for the help! I will get this callous cut down and cleaned out... and I will post pics again in a few weeks to show you progress.

[palomino]

I think you will be suprised how quick it will seal with all the debris and fungy stuff gone.