17/11/2025
Let’s talk about abscesses 🐎🧲
When that abscess finally bursts, it’s such a relief for both the horse and the owner. But something that often gets missed is what has been happening before that moment.
When a horse has an abscess brewing, they don’t just stand still and wait for it to resolve. They shift their weight, change how they load the limb, tighten through the shoulder or pelvis and often build tension elsewhere as they try to stay comfortable.
Put it this way, the first time you notice your horse has an abscess is probably because you have walked into the field with a horse on 3 legs and your heart hit the floor. Maybe your friend or yard owner called you to say your horse was “dog **** lame” and you need to call a vet. The point is, it is visible. It stops your horse from comfortably performing every day tasks and you panic. Quite rightly so. It can take a long time to diagnose if the abscess is positioned in the crafty places and you can be wrapping those feet for weeks with a poultice in a new place each day.
So even when the abscess is gone, the compensation patterns can still be very much there.
You might notice things like:
• A bit of tightness through the back or shoulder
• Shorter steps on one rein
• A reluctance to stretch or bend
• Just not feeling “quite right” under saddle
None of this means you have done anything wrong. But you need to give the body a chance to adapt to pain, and then needing a little help to reset once that pain disappears.
Tension may need to be released to help them regain normal movement patterns and prevent those temporary habits turning into longer-term issues. This makes their return to work smoother and more comfortable.
If your horse has recently had an abscess, it might be worth giving their body a chance to catch up with their now-healed foot. They do work hard!
📸 smartpakequine.com
