Treating an Abscess on a Horse

There are different ways of treating an abscess I have found.  I am taking the "slower pain free way" for my horse.

He has been examined twice by his vet.  He tested Red's hooves with a callipher looking instrument.  Red flinched hard when he hit the painful spot.  The Vet said to treat Red with:

Bute....2 grams a day
antibiotics...10 pills AM and PM dissolved in warm water and given orally
Foot soaked in Epsom Salts and very warm water for 15 minutes
Ichthammol pressed into the area where the abscess seems to be and on the bulb of his heel to try to draw out the infection. 
A diaper (size approximately for a 25 lb baby)

Make a duct tape bandage...be sure and use good duct tape like Duck or some from Sherwin Williams.  The dollar store type is too flimsy! (I found this out. 

To make the bandage lay out strips of duct tape, overlapping to stick them together.  Make it about 14"  or so by 12" or 14".  Turn and lay strips the other way and then again the opposite way to make a strong bond. 

Have a towel handy and take the hoof out of the hot water after 15 minutes and dry well with a towel.  Use gloves or wooden Popsicle stick to place a glob of Icthammol on the area where the abscess seems to be and on the back of the bulb of the heel.  Place diaper on the hoof and tape with the fasteners.  Take the tape bandage and place foot squarely in the middle and set the foot down flat on the floor.  Pull the front up and press down, fold the sides in and the back up pressing to mold to the foot.  Take tape and start at the bottom and wrap around the foot pulling snug but not too tight, going up to the top of the tape. 

Administer the Bute and the antibiotics.  If possible, put horse in a stall with turn out - try to keep from deep muddy conditions.  Pass out hugs and alfalfa. 

Hopefully in two to three weeks the abscess should pass out the bottom of the hoof or possibly the bulb or coronary band.  Once it has come to a head the horse should improve immediately. 

All of my horse's treatment has been under the supervision of his veterinarian.