Consult an equine professional such as a vet or a farrier if you are unsure on how to do this, as it could be painful for the horse depending on how much tissue is affected. To treat thrush in horses, you first need to remove the infected tissue in a safe, clean environment. In this case, treating the hoof with iodine or a bleach and water mix several times a week can help prevent future recurrences. If you do all of these things and your horse still gets thrush, the horse may be prone to it. Third, ensure the horse’s environment is clean and dry. Regular trims will help keep the frog healthy and prevent thrush. Second, schedule regular farrier visits to keep up-to-date on hoof care. First, make sure to provide your horse with regular exercise-this helps maintain a healthy frog. Frequently Asked QuestionsĬhief Rookie Aside: We’ve added a few FAQs to continue your education about gastric ulcers. Keep in mind, I am not a veterinarian, so please consult your vet about any health concerns for your horse, including questions about the information in this article. If the thrush seems to be causing lameness or other sensitivity in your horse’s hooves, it could be too advanced for at-home care or, possibly, another issue entirely. Thankfully, thrush is easily treated in today’s equine world, especially if you catch it early.Ĭall your vet if the infection persists, if you have any questions about treatment, or if the infected area is really large. If you think that your horse is more prone to thrush, either from past experience or an excessively moist environment, you can use Thrush Buster up to once per week in wet environments and once every two weeks in dry environments, to balance the hoof’s moisture levels and kill any infection that might be lurking. Keep repeating this process until the infection ceases.Ĭlick to see Thrush Buster at Amazon Don’t Take Hooves for Granted Find a good place to rest or ride where he won’t be stepping back into puddles, deep manure, or mud. Don’t treat the thrush and put your horse right back into a muddy stall. Step Three: Make sure your horse’s hoof gets time to dry.You will notice that the less-affected areas will be a lighter purple, while the infected areas will be darker. Let it pool a little at first, and continue holding the hoof in picking position until it soaks into the hoof and begins to dry. Apply Thrushbuster by holding your horse’s clean hoof with one hand, and dripping several drops of the purple liquid right into the affected area.Its magic is preventing the infected tissue from spreading into the healthy tissue, while also fighting the infection itself. It has proven to be extremely effective, while also more gentle than alternatives, including bleach, copper sulfate, and turpentine. I’ve used it almost since I began horseback riding, and it has always been effective in treating my horse’s rank hooves. My absolute favorite treatment is Thrushbuster. Step Two: You’ll need to apply a thrush-specific topical treatment to help eliminate excess moisture and kill the infection.Clean out all the discharge that comes along with it as well. It may go deep, so make sure to be gentle on your horse’s hoof. Step One: Clean out the infected tissue from around the frog.There are three basic steps to treating thrush. Thrush can be nasty, but it is pretty simple to treat if you catch it early enough. Horses with misshapen hooves or unhealthy frogs will be extremely prone to thrush, no matter how much you control their external environment. The last step in preventing thrush is scheduling regular farrier checks. Moisture trapped in the hoof through mud, manure, or under a hoof pad can all create an ideal environment for thrush to grow. I would also suggest making a point to pick their hooves even if you don’t ride regularly. Riding or lunging your horse will also allow your horse’s hoof to expand and contract, pushing out dirt and debris from the hoof. Cleaning your horse’s hooves every time you ride is a given. Either way, cleaning your horse’s manure regularly out of their habitation will go a long way in preventing thrush.Īfter prioritizing a clean, dry stall, the next step to prevent equine thrush is to clean your horse’s hooves on a regular basis. While some climates are harder than others, you can either provide a shelter and/or raised area in an outdoor paddock where the horse can stand outside of mud or accumulated manure, or create a drainage system in an indoor stall. Since thrush is caused by moisture left sitting too long in the horse’s hoof, the first step is to create a dry environment for your horse to stand in.
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