Bruising

Question
I have a general question about horse's feet that I was hoping you could answer regarding bruising. Could you please tell me what the signs are and how its possible to treat it?
Thank you.
- Brit

Answer
Hello Brit,
hmmmm...this is a big question on a complex issue. Bruising can happen whenever a horse steps on an object with enough force that the tissues that are underneath the horn of the sole or the hoofwall get smashed...same thing as when humans get bruises. For me it has always been very difficult to say - horse is not walking well because of a bruise versus something else going on and I think in many cases blaming lameness or ouchiness on bruises is used as a "catch-all".
Epsom salt hoof soaks, poultices and hoof packings and just not riding on hard ground until the horse is better is usually what is prescribed for "bruises".
If there is really an injury and the horse stepped on something hard enought to really bruise the sole, you may also end up with an abscess later on if the tissue that was injured dies off.
In light colored hooves you often see red areas that look like bruises. The same happens with dark colored hooves, you just can't see it. Often you see this reddening and the horse is fine, sometimes this bruising, depending on what else is going on with the horse, can be an indication of hoof balance issues, other trauma, laminitis and rotation, etc. In laminitis with serious rotation you can also see a crescent shaped bruise in front of the frog, in horses with incorrect front to back balance of the hoof, you can see blood and what may look like bruising in the white line of the toe or the heels.
So, there is no one explanation for what bruising is, what caused is and how to treat...just remember that bruising is a SYMPTOM (i.e. tissue got hurt) that can have many CAUSES and treatment depends on the cause....

Let me know if there is something specific that you are concerned about where I may be able to give you a more detailed answer.
Christine