Diseases
Canker in Horses
Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.
Canker is a chronic infection of the hoof characterized by the overgrowth of abnormal tissue in the frog and sole, often with a foul odor.
Contracted Heels in Horses
Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.
Symptoms
- Sensitivity
- Abnormal wear
- Narrowed bulbs
- Frog atrophy
- Change in Hoof Angle
- Stiff
- Abnormal gait change
- Lameness
Common in
- Draft Horses
Treatment
To treat contracted heels, maintain a schedule for proper trimming and shoeing. Moving the shoe toward the rear of the hoof close to the white line on the bottom of the foot, and removing the excess hoof wall by rasping, will help correct the shape of the hoof. Wedge pads can be used to elevate the heel of the horse.
Trimming the hoofs in such a way that the hoof capsule can broaden is important. Keeping the horse on even ground or pasture after proper trimming and shoeing will allow a return to proper movement of hooves and will help the horse overcome the problems associated with contracted heels.The horse will often require treatment with antibiotics. Tetanus antitoxin must be given, if the horse is not fully vaccinated up to date or if vaccination status cannot be confirmed.
Prevention
Maintaining a regular trimming schedule, about every six weeks, helps avoid conditions like contracted heels and is beneficial to a horse’s overall health.
How Happie can help you manage your horse's health
Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.
With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.
The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.
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