STONE bruises which may be followed by abscesses orbruising forming under the sole are quite common. Flat footed horses are more prone to solar bruising. Hunters with a good solar vault (concave surface) suffer fewer problems.

To treat a stone bruise

Remove shoe and tub and poultice the foot for 24-48 hours. If there is no improvement call your veterinary surgeon or farrier to search the foot to release the infection. Severe solar foot abscesses that are not dealt with properly can progress to osteomyelitis of the pedal bone or quitter of the cartilage of the foot (infection of the side bones).