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Post by elizabeth_h on Jun 19, 2009 20:23:20 GMT -5
As some of you know, my horse Slim Jim rarely lies down to sleep. When he does lie down, I have noticed that he often ends up with little cuts on his elbows, presumably from his shoes making contact with the elbow when his legs are curled under him. From what I have read, it sounds like this can lead to shoe boils (capped elbows), and I definitely don't want to head down that road. Today when I went to see him he had a little cut on his right elbow and a slice between his front legs which had filled up with fluid and looked like a boob. I cleaned it carefully and cold hosed it, then went ahead and exercised him in hopes of reducing the fluid a bit (which it did). This has got me wondering if his reluctance to lie down to sleep is related to discomfort on his elbows.
Anyway, have any of you ever had this problem? Have you tried shoe boil boots and if so, have they been effective?
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Post by Big Tee© on Jun 19, 2009 20:55:01 GMT -5
They are effective - haven't used one in a ages but I would again if I needed to. They do prevent al those cuts and scrapes from shoes
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Post by hfhopper on Jun 19, 2009 20:59:24 GMT -5
One of the Arabs at the barn I used to work at had a similar issue. He had quite a large callous on his one elbow that would get sore and raw when he was stalled for any length of time. His owner tried the shoe boil boots and had some success. But her horse had to be introduced to them slowly because they freaked him out at first. She also tried the no turn bell boots when he was stalled. We put them on every night when he came in. They seemed to make about as much difference as anything. I know we worked with the farrier to make sure that the heels of his shoes weren't left too long too. Good luck and hopefully you can find something that will work.
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Post by elizabeth_h on Jun 20, 2009 17:38:01 GMT -5
Ok, I picked one up today. I figured for $20 it was worth a shot. I put it on before I left the barn and let the BO know it was on. The horse did not bat an eye when I put it on, but then again he may not realize how bulky it is until he moves around. He is generally very good with anything on his legs (bell boots, bandages, bulky ice boots, etc.). I told them to take it off at night check if he is upset. He is also getting braided in the wee hours of the morning for a show tomorrow, so that will be another time he can be checked.
The big boob is still there...it is still hot too, so if it does not start to resolve in another day we'll have to get the vet out to check it. Otherwise he is just fine and it is not bothering him (of course if it worsens tonight I will not show him tomorrow).
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