Conference noted::equitation

    The condition you are describing is called gravel pockets and is
    relatively common.  It is very common with horses that have soft
    feet who spend lots of time in gravel.  It is not especially bad
    in itself if it is looked after but it can get out of hand if the
    accompanying abcess goes up through the coronet band.  We have a
    mare that has a tendency toward gravel pockets and have to keep
    a close eye on her.  Depending on the severity we cut away the 
    abcessed pocket, soak in epsom salts, pack with icthamol or all
    three.  If you are planning on purchasing or leasing the horse you
    should have a vet check it out.  It normally only takes a few weeks
    to correct unless it is really bad, so you may just want to wait
    and see what happens.
    
    Bob
    
    

    I have had a few horses get gravel and the vet has always cut a
    little hole in the sole and have it drain out. Well, I just bought
    a Quarter Horse and he's still at the trainers.  2 days after he was
    reshod, he developed an abcess.  They've been soaking it in Epsom salt
    and said they think it will come out the coronet band in a few days.
    It's been 10 days since I noticed he was lame.  
    
    Does anyone know what complications can occur when an abcess comes
    out the coronet band, and how long it takes to do so..
    
    I'm hoping to show him in about 10 days, but am beginning to wonder
    if I'll be able to!!
    
    Thanks for any info..
    
    Sherry Butler (DTN 339-4316 - Maryland)

    I had a pony that seemed prone to abscesses one summer.  My vet
    said the gravel (or whatever) would work its way up and come out
    at the point of least resistance -- the coronary band.  He was right.
     We had to soak the pony's foot daily in Epsom salt/water, too.
    
    We were lucky enough to catch another horse's problem sooner.  She
    seemed lame, we couldn't locate the cause and called the vet.  He
    found something (I forget what; it's been a while.) that he had
    to cut out of her frog.  Again, we had to soak in Epsom salts and
    then pack the hole with cotton soaked in Iodine.  It healed from
    the inside out and she didn't have a problem afterwards.  The hardest
    thing on that horse was having to stay in while her buddies got
    to go out.
    
    Merrie

    gravel is nothing real serious. it is when dirt/gravel works it
    way through the bottom of the horses foot. normally the blacksmith
    will make a hole in the base of the foot that allows the area affected
    to drain. 
    i have horses and we have had this happen to a few. soaking the
    foot in epsom salts helps to drain the infection out of the foot
    please call if you have any further questions. i am polly at dtn
    268-3562.
    

    RE. 307.0
    
    "GRAVEL" IS WHEN A SMALL STONE, OR SHARP PIECE OF STONE, PUNCTURES
    THE SOLE OF THE FOOT AND IS QUICKLY FORCED UPWARD BY THE WEIGHT
    OF HORSE IN MOVEMENT AND THE ACTION OF THE HOOF. IF NOTICED FAIRLY
    SOON, THE VET OF FARRIER WILL GENERALLY MAKE A NEW PUNCTURE, REMOVE
    THE STONE, OR "GRAVEL", AND THEN SOAK/PACK TO PREVENT FURTHER
    INFECTION. IF THE "GRAVEL" CANNOT BE LOCATED AND REMOVED, THEN IT
    WILL EVENTUALLY ERUPT FARTHER UP IN THE HOOF, NEAR THE AREA OF THE
    CORONARY BAND. IF IT ERUPTS AT THE CORONARY BAND, IT CAN CAUSE
    PROBLEMS, AS THIS IS A CRITICAL PORTION OF THE HOOF STRUCTURE.
    
    RE. 307.2
    
    WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOUR HORSE PROBABLY DEPENDS
    ON WHERE THE "GRAVEL" ERUPTS. IF JUST BELOW THE CORONARY BAND, THERE
    IS OFTEN NO NOTICEABLE HINDERANCE TO THE HORSE. IF IT ERUPTS AT
    THE BAND, YOU COULD BE IN FOR A PERIOD OF REST AND REHABILITATION.
    

    I'd like to put in my 2 cents regarding this gravel business. My
    understandig is that the description of "gravel" is when some particle
    usually sand/dirt gets into the hoof at the 'white line". This is
    the juncture between the hard hoof and the rest of the foot. The
    sand can then travel upwards along the juncture irritating the laminae.
    There is a fairly straight path to the coronary band along the white
    line junction. Rocks or other small matter that punctures the sole
    can not travel to the coronary band as the way is blocked by the
    bones in the hoof so they usually form an abscess that must be cleared
    by opening a hole in the sole...
    
    bobk
    

    I wonder if this is the same condition as "seedy-toe".  We have
    decomposed granit at our barn and just about every horse came down with
    what the vet called "seedy-toe".  After the granit was down for about 6
    months, no more cases showed up.  People just had to clean feet better
    and watch out for loose shoes.
    
    virginia

    I belive gravelling is the end result of seedy toe, but can also be
    attributed to other debris entering the laminate area of the hoof and
    emerging through the coronary band.