Stab wounds in the foot

Puncture injuries in the hoof are a red alert. Deep wounds can result in sepsis and damage to the navicular or coffin bones or synovial structures (coffin joint, navicular bursa, digital sheath). With any puncture, contact your veterinarian immediately. If the nail or other object is still embedded, many vets prefer you leave it in place until they arrive as X-ray will provide precise information about the extent of the damage. If the piercing object is no longer there, it may be hard to diagnose a puncture wound; extreme pain is a symptom, but that can also be sign of an abscess. Deep punctures may require surgery to heal properly.

Your horse’s feet are vulnerable to whatever may be on the ground, and a puncture wound can be deadly.