AThe diagnosis of a graveled horse is usually not difficult. It is one that should be investigated in cases where lameness occurs shortly after the farrier has trimmed and shod a horse. Properly called suppurative pododermatitis, it is an infection that manifests itself in the sensitive parts of the hoof and sometimes undermines the sole. While the name might lead you to believe that it is caused by a piece of gravel getting into the white line of the hoof and working its way out the top of the foot at the coronary band, the actual cause more likely a particle of sand or soil that introduces bacteria to the white line area and results in an infection inside the hoof wall.

The typical scenario of a graveled horse is a horse in which an infection enters the white line area of the hoof via a close nail, or a hoof with a wall defect or separation, all of which allow soil into the softer white line area. The hoof then becomes painful, and the infection works its way up the wall of the hoof to break out as an abscess at the coronary band. It follows the path of least resistance.

"Gravel" also can occur under the bars instead of at the white line. This type of "gravel" will keep the horse off of its heel, so that it walks on its toe. This type emerges as an abscess at the bulbs of the heel instead of at the coronary band. Equally as common, both types of gravel require the same treatment regimen.

Initially the infection may occur and not bother the horse. The reason for this is that the infection starts out at the ground surface, and when it is low on the hoof, the horse is not bothered by it. However, when the infection makes its way up to the sensitive areas of the hoof, the horse becomes lame, sometimes to the extent of giving the appearance of having a broken leg! The horse often has a low grade fever