by Elizabeth Mcgill

Created on: July 26, 2009   Last Updated: July 27, 2009

Conditions and Treatment Of Thrush

"Thrush", this one word, when dealing with horses, is a terrible blow, both to the horse and the horse owner. Thrush is a disease that invades the frog, or the v-shaped part of the inside of a horse's hoof. Thrush is a particularly nasty bacteria infection of the hoof. When thrush invades the hoof, through bacteria inducing conditions, the frog becomes soften and prone to damage. When the hoof is picked up and checked, there will be a foul odor emitting from the frog, and it will be a darkish color, even black, and may be oozing with infection. This condition, if left untreated, will cause lameness in the horse. In a healthy horse, the frog is usually clean with a semi-hard bottom and ridges that stand out in definition.

It is the horse owner's responsibility to ensure that their horse's hoofs are well tended, and without living in excessively muddy conditions day in and day out. The bacteria of thrush thrive in airless conditions, and having a place for your horse to get air circulation to its hooves is very important. If the soil tends to be constantly muddy and wet conditions are prevalent in the pasture, stall, or paddock, the horse will have a greater chance of developing thrush. Although horses can abide in these living conditions well, bacteria can also thrive in these conditions.

Usually these bacterial conditions are because of improper mucking of a horse stall, or the horse not having dry land to stand on once in awhile. A horse will take any opportunity it has, when it is able to have sturdy ground underneath it, and cock up a fetlock or two, circulating air to the hoof itself. A good way to allow the hooves of a horse to get proper air circulation is as simple as putting a heavy rubber mat for them to stand on when they are at their feeding station.

Another good way to insure that the horse's hooves are in contact with air is the proper cleaning of them. Because the natural curve and cupping of a horse's hooves, a good amount of dirt, pebbles and other debris can be packed down solidly inside the hoof over time. If the hoof is not cleaned properly and on a regular basis, the horse owner is liable to end up with a lame horse, or worse, a horse that has to eventually be put down. Making sure that all rocks, pebbles or other foreign objects are dislodged from the hoof with a tool especially designed for the purpose, a hoof pick. This simple, daily grooming action will insure that the horse will not become a prime

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