by Megan Worley

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

If you own or care for horses then chances are you will have a firsthand encounter with thrush. If caught early enough then thrush is really easy to deal with and can be cured with little side effects. The key to catching it early is to pick your horses hooves regularly and look out for any black substances or really bad odors. The bacteria that causes thrush thrives in environments that lack oxygen, which is why they grow so well in the cleft of the hooves. It is often harder to spot in dry weather, however once it begins to rain, or in rainy environments it is much more noticeable.

What Thrush is

Thrush is an infection of the horn of the hoof, which includes the frog and surrounding area. This becomes softened by moisture and aggravated by the ammonia that is in horse urine and gets mixed in with their bedding. At that point bacteria invades the hoof, which softens the horn even further and then produces a foul-smelling black substance. This substance is usually found in the cleft between the frog and the hoof. If this is left untreated the bacteria will reach deeper into the sensitive structures of the hoof and result in lameness.

Treatment

The first step to treating thrush is to get the horse into a dry environment. That means not allowing them to be turned out into a muddy wet paddock. They may need to be kept inside for a while. After that has been done the infected area of the horn needs to be cut away. Usually a farrier can easily trim the frog. If you suspect your horse has thrush ask your farrier to examine the hoof because they are good at evaluating the health of your horse's hooves. Once the infected area has been cut away the entire hoof should be scrubbed with a wire brush and warm water. When the hoof is dry an antibacterial ointment should be applied. All tack stores sell ointments that will kill any bacteria left after the hoof is cleaned.

Prevention

The first step to prevention is to try and give your horse a clean, dry environment to stand in. A clean and dry environment helps to prevent the bacteria that cause thrush. If you can't give your horse a dry area to stand in, or if they insist on standing in muck then checking their hooves regularly for the presence of thrush is the next best thing. Horse hooves should also be picked every day to help clean them out and keep them dry and clean. Regular exercise also helps to keep horse hooves healthy by improving blood circulation.

Learn more about this author, Megan Worley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.