Domesticated horses live in a different environment rather than they would in the wild. Horses’ hooves are exposed to mud, manure, and urine. When your horse stands or walks in these environments, it could cause thrush. Thrush is a common problem in horses and there are ways you can prevent and treat it.
What is thrush?
Thrush is an infection in the central and lateral sulcus of the frog. When bacterial or fungal organisms enter the hoof tissue, this causes thrush. Continuous wet environment conditions can put your horse at risk of thrush. Thrush can develop into a more serious problem if not treated, so it is important to know how to prevent and treat it.
How to Prevent Thrush
The easiest way to prevent thrush from occurring is daily maintenance. You must pick and clean out your horse's hooves daily. A hoof that is packed with manure or other elements makes the perfect environment for thrush to develop. If you clean the hooves daily and expose them to oxygen, then thrush is less likely to occur. It is also vital to maintain a schedule with your farrier. Your farrier can help catch any early signs of hoof problems and help you treat thrush if present. Hooves that are too long and not trimmed can trap mud and other debris. Do not use harmful hoof topicals. Using a topical with chemicals can damage hoof tissue. Nutrition is also very important in preventing thrush. A healthy hoof is stronger at fighting off bacteria than an unhealthy hoof would. Feeding your horse a hoof supplement can aid hoof growth and help strengthen the hooves.
A hoof supplement I recommend is Farrier’s Formula by Life Data labs. A strong hoof would be less likely to get chips and cracks that are areas for bacteria to enter. Farrier's Formula also has a supplement that helps with joints, called Farrier's Formula DS Plus Joint.
How to Treat Thrush
If your horse has thrush, immediately provide a clean and dry space for your horse to stand. Clean the hoof and apply a hoof disinfectant or clay. A favorite hoof clay of mine is Life Data Hoof Clay. When applying the clay, make sure the area on the hoof is clean and dry. You can also use a topical called Farrier’s Finish by Life Data Labs. Don’t use a product that has caustic chemicals and could block oxygen. You want oxygen to get to that area to fight the infection. Thrush can’t live with oxygen present. Has your horse had thrush? If not, consider yourself lucky! Prevention is key and is much easier than treating thrush!
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