The following article provides all of the essential guidelines and tips needed to be able to fully understand how to detect and cure an abscess in the Polo Pony. From the very basics such as how to evaluate soundness, decide as to whether cut out abscess, bandage, remission and evaluate progress. This is described in detail by a professional polo player with over twenty years of experience in polo, providing some of the best advice available in the polo world.

The foot is the most important part of the pony. I like to keep my ponies barefooted as much as possible. If I see in the period of short workouts or breezes that they are tender I will fit them with plates. Also, If I notice their feet platting (flattening out) or cracking I will have them shod.

Most abscesses in the foot occur in the front feet, since, they bear the most weight of the polo pony. It is known that upon galloping the impact on the front is much greater. Hence, one can only imagine the intensity of impact on the front hoofs upon a full breeze.

The moment you notice that the polo pony is "off", immediately test for an abscess. Hold and pick the foot up, then apply pressure with a hoof knife or a hoof pick. Press hard along the exterior wall and moving to the inside (frog). Watching for a head bob when isolated pressure is applied. Even a slight bob will indicate a deeper abscess that should be treated early. If and only if the abscess is really tender(surface) I like to open it (to drain) with a sharp hoof knife (put it under a flame to disinfect). Make sure that the foot is clean, you may spray the foot with some Clorox bleach solution (50/50 water bleach) dig out the abscess (don't go wide, go as deep as needed), you will get some blood, keep the foot up, make sure the floor is clean. Then with a cotton swab clean the opening with a beta dine solution, soak the foot in a warm Epsom salt solution (Epsom salts dissolved in warm water). Dry with paper, then fill the cut with a poultice, from my personal experience Ichthamol is the best (tar like drawing salve), pack with cotton balls, then wrap tightly foot with vet wrap, keep vet wrap on hoof as much as possible. Cross wrapping and going up, across and around hoof. When hoof is 100% totally covered then do the same with duct tape, when done, cut to remove with a knife any duct tape from brow band or pastern. Since, duct tape will prevent skin from breathing. Keep the polopony dry, I like to keep her turned out in a small paddock so she can walk and keep a healthy circulation. Keep an eye on her and if the bandage should come undone remove whatever layer needs replacement and re-do.

Your polo pony will need to re-pack every 3 days (at a minimum, if she keeps her pack dry and clean). Soak the foot every re-pack in the warm Epsom salt solution. From experience, 2-3 treatments should draw out all the infection and she will ready for work. There is no need to pull the shoe, unless the abscess is caused by a poorly driven nail or deep under the shoe. In the best case, the shoe will add additional support for her.

Jogging her with no rider on a hard smooth surface is the ultimate success test. Look for a head bob, hesitation or shortness in stride . I am sure she will be jogging just fine after this drawing and you be well on your way to playing polo.

Play Polo!

Polopony(dot)com

Patrick Ohannessian