Our thermal imaging cameras are very sensitive and can accurately map  the temperature patterns on your horse's hoof allowing the detection of abscess's. 

Where there is an Abscess pus will be inside the foot, particularly where  it is trying to come out the coronary band. Thermal imaging allows your Vet or Farrier to have pinpoint accuracy when draining. Follow-up imaging can show when the infection has fully cleared up. 

What is a abscess?

An abscess is an extremely localized infection, which is generally "walled off" within the hoof capsule. There are numerous causes for such infections; however, the primary causes are fungal infections, puncture wounds, and seedy toe. Left unattended, an abscess will migrate up the hoof capsule, following the path of least resistance, until it eventually "blows out" through the hoof wall or, often, at the coronary band , when the abscess blows out the corornary band it is called a "quittor". In this image to the left is a "solar abscess". Clearly you can see where all the red (heat) is. The abscess completely wraps around the frog area.

 Symptoms:       

• lameness 
• gait is off in one direction
• altered hoof landing pattern 
• heat, strong digital pulse 
• not wanting to put weight on foot 
• concussion sensitivity 

Prevention:       

• provide clean and debris free environment
• ride on soft terrain
• shoes, boots
• clean feet daily 

 Treatment:
Abscesses can be opened and drained from the ground surface. They also  can be drawn out from the cornory band with icthomal. Since opening an  abscess is an invasive procedure and often involves contact with  sensitive tissue, a qualified Farrier or veterinarian should be  contracted to debride the infected area. You may need to administer  appropriate medications and tetanus vaccines.  Treatment  I use is to provide a small drain hole which should be left open for  extended drainage and application of medication's, poultices, and  soaking twice a day for a half hour in warm water with Epson Salts. Do  that for about one week period. Continue treatment with soaking and  poultices/ medications until horse shows noticeable improvements in  walking. Don't  stall up the horse but if possible let stay in small paddock. The more  the horse walks around the quicker the healing will be.  

 Thermal imaging can accurately locate an Abscess. Notice the heat in these thermal images below . Our thermal imaging cameras are very sensitive and can accurately map  the temperature patterns on your horse's hoof allowing the detection of infected areas.

Our silent running cameras are well tolerated by horses.  As the saying goes, “no foot, no horse”. An incorrectly balanced foot  can have extensive knock-on effects on the leg and back, and affect  your horse's comfort and performance. Our thermal imaging cameras are very sensitive and can accurately map  the temperature patterns on your horse's hoof allowing the detection of  common foot problems including: Poor Circulation, Abscess, Laminitis,  Injury and checking Hoof Balance. 

Notice pic on left, the image shows the color black where the horse bares more weight versus the purple area of the shoe shows the horse bearing less weight. It should be symmetrical in weight displacement on the shoe and the color of the shoe on our image should be the same . 

Look at these thermal images for out of balanced feet.

Image on left: As this foot grows out it continues to carry more weight on the inside of the foot. The image shows more intense heat on the inside.

Middle Image: You can see on the right side of the hoof just below the hairline a hot spot. Also if you look at the coronary band is jammed up, showing a hoof imbalance

Image on the right: the color black on the right side of the shoe is where the horse bares more weight, causing a imbalance. Within a few minutes of lounging the thermal image was taken.  

How  much does it cost to see if my horse is out of balance?