STOP!!!

Ignore your first instinct to pull the nail out! While this may seem like the nicest thing to do for your animal, it greatly limits our ability to evaluate the injury and what structures within the hoof are involved. Instead, call your vet...IMMEDIATELY.

Our number one concern when we have a nail in a horse’s hoof is damage to the coffin joint and bone within the hoof. We will probably want to take X-rays. By leaving the nail in the hoof, the nail shows up on the radiograph, showing us exactly how far the nail went in, and what structures it hit. If the nail is removed, we can only guess what it hit, are commonly waiting for signs of joint infection, and usually are left with no choice, but to treat as if we already have joint involvement.

Regardless of how long the nail has been there, how lame the horse is when you find the nail, and how deep you think the nail penetrated, this type of injury should be seen by a veterinarian to begin the most appropriate treatment. If left untreated, a joint that has been damaged by a metal object (in this case, the coffin joint), can lead to severe, sometimes life ending and certainly career ending lameness. Given specific circumstances, the veterinarian may instruct you to pull the nail out yourself, but is always good to check.