Penetrating wood foreign bodies (stob) of the coronary band in horses: 15 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively report the historical and clinical findings, diagnostics, treatment, and outcome of horses with penetrating wood foreign bodies (PWFBs) of the coronary band.

ANIMALS: 15 client-owned horses.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Horses had varying degrees of lameness and soft tissue swelling of the coronary band and pastern region. A defect in the coronary band was identified, but the actual wood foreign body was not always readily visualized.

RESULTS

Medical records of horses diagnosed with PWFBs of the coronary band between 2004 and 2023 were reviewed. Information retrieved from the medical records included history, signalment, diagnostics, treatment, and outcome. Thirteen of 15 horses that sustained a PWFB to the coronary band were participating in foxhunting. Penetrating wood foreign bodies occurred more frequently near the central axis or toe region (11/15) and more commonly in the forelimbs (11/15). Removal of PWFBs can be performed with the horse standing and sedated with regional anesthesia. Complete removal of the PWFB required partial removal of the adjacent hoof wall.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Penetrating wood foreign bodies occurred in the coronary band and lodged distally in the hoof wall of horses. Foxhunting may be a risk factor for this type of injury. Penetrating wood foreign bodies occurred most commonly in the front feet, near the central axis of the coronary band. Complete removal of the PWFB required removing a section of the adjacent hoof wall. The prognosis for return to the previous level of activity following treatment was favorable.