Bruised sole
A bruised sole occurs following direct trauma to the
sole of the hoof. A common cause of lameness in both shod
and unshod horses, bruised soles are often caused by stones
or work on hard surfaces.
The sensitive structures that lay beneath the sole (soft
tissue between the sole of the hoof and coffin bone) are
damaged as tiny blood vessels underneath the sole haemorrhage
(bleed). If the damage to blood vessels is minimal bruising
usually disappears within a few days.
However, such damage may result in the formation of a
haematoma (blood blister) between the sole and sensitive
tissues. Even if a haematoma does not develop, there may
be sufficient damage to the laminae of the sole to result
in clinical signs such as mild or severe sudden lameness
localized to the foot, increased foot warmth or increased
digital pulses through the digital arteries.
If sole bruising reoccurs owners should consult their
vet and farrier as chronic sole bruising may indicate
an underlying problem such as an abscess, which if left
untreated infection may spread to the coffin bone resulting
in osteomyelitis. Pedal osteitis is another problem that
might develop; this is a chronic inflammatory condition
of the coffin bone that results in bone resorption and
weakening of the bone. A pathologic fracture of the coffin
bone could result.
Can Equissage help?
Yes.
However slight the bruise, there is still some damage
to the tiny blood vessels within the foot otherwise there
would be no evidence of a bruise in the first place. The
body's reaction to any form of injury is to increase blood
flow to the area to provide vital nutrients to heal the
damaged cells but this does not actually help too much
as it the little blood vessels that are damaged so the
increased blood flow has nowhere to go except to accumulate
and add to the discomfort, the horse's foot is unable
to swell to relieve pressure. By using Equissage as part
of the treatment the inflammation will be reduced so that
a more normal flow is restored thus relieving the pressure
within the foot. Once more comfortable the horse will
begin to bear more weight on the foot and the resultant
contact between the frog and the ground surface will enable
normal circulation to resume.
Application:
Apply the Hand Unit to the underside of the foot. Whilst
a medium setting would be of more benefit, the horse may
be too tender to allow this; if the horse is very sensitive
then hold the Hand Unit directly on the hoof instead.
However, even on the low setting, a 10 minute treatment
will suffice, although ideally twice a day. If used in
conjunction with the Pad, then the beneficial effects
will be more long lasting thus helping to continue with
the healing process.
For more information please call 0800 072 1180,
email us at info@equissage.co.uk
or request a FREE TRIAL
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