Need Input on horses Feet that was hit by lightning!

I first put this on the blog, but figure it fits better in the discussion forum. I was hoping to get some input from folks on this site......I have been trimming my own horses feet (barefoot trimm) for nearly 6 years, the odd time I trimm other horses at my boarding barn ( by all means I am not farrier), I am definetly not trained, but know what to do in 'normal circumstances'. I was asked by a friend to look at another friends horse that was struck by lightning and I gather the current came out in his hind feet in to the ground. One of the hinds is in really bad shape there are jagged edges from the heal toward the toes on both sides. A trained Farrier had a go at it and I gather 'smoothed' out the the jaggedness however must have taken some of the white line down and possibly effected the nervendings and lamina, I don't I think I can do much until MY regular ferrier can have a look at, (he is away on extended holiday right now). Anyways, I am looking for some input, if we should wrap the foot to keep away from dirt, ice and other intrusions right now and if so if we should put something on it, like Grape seed oil, or some other remmedy that might have worked for any of you......any thoughts?!

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Pannell on February 26, 2010 at 5:04pm

Hi Gabriele, Can you post some pics of the hoof? I take it a vet has seen the horse after the incident, Ive not had any experience with horses being struck by lighting and still being upright!! I would assume that there would be burns? I don't put vegetable oil on horses feet for anything, so save the grape seed oil for the salad and only ever put animal oils on your horses feet, IE neatsfoot oil . Is the horse lame? Cheers Geoffrey

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Permalink Reply by Gabriele Mayrhofer on February 26, 2010 at 11:18pm

Hi Geoffrey,
as far as I know only a farrier has seen the horse, not a vet, I will be taking pictures on Sunday and post them after. I saw him a couple of weeks ago, he was not lame at that time, however he is apparently laying down more often now. The F. cleaned up the jaggedness and left the toe pretty long for my liking, I just figured if the nervendings are exposed if it is wrapped then chances of infection won't be as high. I have seen pics on Pete Rameys website (Barefoot specialist) and he seems to wrap (boot) highly compromised feet.....thanks