A shoe boil also referred to by the name (olecranon bursitis) or (capped elbow) is a swollen swelling that occurs at the elbow caused by trauma. It’s similar to the capped hocks of the rear leg, with the exception that it is caused by the elbow on that leg on the side. The most typical reason for a shoe boil is leaving a large heel while shoeing horses, the horse striking himself by putting the shoes of the same shoe on the opposite leg rubbing the feet to deter bugs or bedding that isn’t properly.
The hoof’s heel is not long enough or those who are shod with weighted or elevated shoes are most likely to cause the injury that causes the condition known as shoe boil. The fact that the flabby appearance is caused by the shoes themselves is what creates the term. Most of the time the condition is just unattractive and doesn’t usually result in an appearance of laziness.
The swelling can develop after repeated traumas and the size may change. The best way to prevent it is to pinpoint the exact source of the injury and then eliminate or decrease the chance of occurrence. Proper shoeing for horses or using the use of a “doughnut” or bell boot or bell boot, a piece of rubber that fits over the ankle, protecting the elbow from injury could eliminate the problem in the event that corrective shoeing fails to work.
An injury that has lasted for a long time or which has developed an infection may require treatment by a vet. Injuries that have a long-standing history of fibrous tissue could need to be removed surgically. Once the cause has been eliminated then an injection of corticosteroid is often able to reduce the swelling and eliminate the issue in just one treatment.
Additionally, a bell boot, a piece of rubber that is placed between the horse’s front and hind hoof help to prevent the horse from striking its own elbow when it is pressed against the shoe of the foot in the opposite leg thereby protecting against the possibility of shoe boil. The bell boot also shields the rear feet from injury to front pasterns when they overstep. A severe case of shoe boil (capped elbow) with a large flabby swelling to the sole of the feet (or shoe) hitting the elbow.
Related Reading – How to Detect an Illness in the Horse?
