12/21/2024
Can you find the nail in the foot that doesn’t belong?
It is not uncommon for us to see a horse that has accidentally stepped on a nail. If this ever happens to you and your horse DO NOT REMOVE THE NAIL. If you keep the nail in place and call your veterinarian immediately, X-rays can be taken that show how far and where the nail went. This is important because there are a lot of crucial structures along the bottom of the foot including the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursa, and coffin joint. If an infection develops in any of these structures, your horse could have a big big problem. Taking an x-ray with the nail in place is one of the ways we can determine if the nail hit one of those structures and ensuring we are making the best plan for your horse.
Thankfully, the horse in the photos missed all the important things and has done well!
Oh and always remember to keep your horse current on tetanus vaccination!
(In these X-rays the horse is standing on a wooden block that has nails safely placed in it to stabilize it. Don’t let these fool you. Having a horse stand on the block makes sure we can get the hole foot in an X-ray)
