With a warmer than usual, but just as wet, winter, plus the rains of early spring, mud has been prevalent on so many horse farms across the country. And when there’s mud on the farm, there’s usually thrush in the hoof.
What is thrush?
Thrush is a fungal/bacterial infection that is caused by moisture from a wet environment, high humidity or by poor hoof care and maintenance. It is an affliction of the sole and frog of the horse’s hoof that can affect one hoof or all four at once, however it is not contagious.
Thrush-causing moisture can come from standing in mud in pastures or even in stalls containing a lot of wet spots from urine. When mud or soiled bedding packs the hoof, it restricts oxygen to the frog area.
How do I know it’s thrush?
If you’ve ever smelled a hoof with thrush, you know the stench is unmistakable. As thrush progresses, there will be some hoof tenderness. As you clean the hoof, you will see a lightening of the frog and sole to white.
Other signs of thrush include:
- A tar-like discharge coming from the infected tissue
- Softened frog
- Swelling in the lower limb (severe case)
- Lameness (severe and advanced cases)
Can thrush be prevented?
The short answer is yes. A healthy hoof is a hoof without thrush. Keeping your horse on a regular routine of hoof trimming, while also providing proper care between trims is vital. While mud is difficult to prevent in the fields, removing the packed mud nightly and providing some dry ground will help.
Regular cleaning of stalls to remove the urine and soiled bedding will provide a clean, dry location for your horse’s hooves to have a break from excess moisture.
What do I do if my horse has thrush?
Early detection and treatment of thrush is vital for your horse’s hoof health. Thrush can dramatically deteriorate the frog of the horse’s hoof, taking away the vital job of cushioning each step.
Regularly cleaning your horse’s feet and providing a clean, dry location for him to stand will help dry out the hooves. Speak with your veterinarian about what products you can use to reduce the downtime. Your farrier will need to remove any necrotic tissue that has formed, depending on the progression of the severity of thrush. Once the afflicted tissue is removed, the hoof will be disinfected. Your veterinarian may have to diagnose the extent of the condition to determine if infection is present in the frog.
The owner will then be instructed to keep the hoof clean and dry throughout the healing process.
Thrush isn’t the End
Thrush can be a pesky affliction, especially for those living in wetter climates. But, with proper care, you can help prevent infection and keep your horse walking with confidence.
