Hoof puncture

[Julie Lindeman <rayna777@uswest.net>]

Hello all,

I haven't been around in a while, it's been a busy summer, but I've got bad
news, and felt the need to pick the brains of ridecamp about it.

About a month ago my mare Rayna stepped on a nail. It went in about a half
inch, near the heel right in the crevice between the sole and the frog.  It
got badly infected, abcessed, and blew out backwards through the frog and
the bottom of the heel bulb.  She has several gaps in the tissues extending
deep into the foot.

She had been on trimath/sulpha, bute and I have been flushing the foot,
soaking, etc.  She is off, grade three, and will not put weight on the heel
at all.  Two vets have told me to put her down.

So, has anyone ever sucessfully rehabilitated a horse with this type of
injury? And by that I mean sound, fit to continue.  This horse would never
be happy as a pasture ornament.

I hope everyone is having a great season...... get out and ride!

Julie, Rayna the Mountain Monster, Jynxie the Wonder Pony,
Mark and Decker the Rookie
Brush Prairie, Washington