Puncture wounds are fairly common to horses kept in small areas or ridden along the sides of roads. Puncture wounds occur to the Sole or Frog of the foot. The most common causes are carpenter nails and horseshoe nails. The wounds are often hard to find but they will look like a black spot on the sole. A puncture on the frog is harder to find because of its color and texture. The location of the puncture will affect how the horse puts the foot down. In some cases the puncture wound will show up as a supporting leg lameness.

Puncture wounds may not drain on their own. If your horse has a puncture wound have your veterinarian open a drainage hole. The horse should also be treated for tetanus. The area must be kept clean. Use hydrogen peroxide and pack it wil an iodine solution. Bandage the foot.

If a puncture wound goes unnoticed and an infection occurs it will force its own drainage at the Coronary Band. This can cause other problems such as a infectious laminitis and chronic laminitis, infection of the digital cushion, fracture of the navicular bone or tetanus. If there is a drainage from the coronary band, soak the foot daily with water and Epsom salts (or disinfectant). Wrap the area to keep it clean.