Equine thrush is an infection in the horse hoof that is accompanied by a foul smell. This odor is most prevalent while picking the horse's feet to clean debris from the hoof. When looking at the bottom of a hoof, the frog is the middle, triangular-part. In the presence of thrush, a black discharge may be seen on the frog. Equine thrush can be quite painful leading to lameness.
Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most common of several species of bacteria that cause thrush. F. necrophorum are anaerobic bacteria that die when exposed to air. They are most abundant in wet soil and are prevalent in muddy areas combined with feces and urine. Horses that stand in these muddy areas pack mud in their hooves. This creates an airtight compartment in which the bacteria can thrive.
Thrush Hoof Care
Proper hoof care is important for preventing thrush. The hooves should be picked daily to remove any mud buildup. Hoof picking also exposes the bottom of the hoof to air, which kills thrush-causing bacteria.
The Farrier's Hoof Knife - Trimming Horse Hooves
When the farrier trims the horse's hooves, he or she also trims the clefts of the frog which, according to Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook (1989) authors James M. Giffin M.D. and Tom Gore, D.V.M., makes the clefts of the frog self-cleaning. Horse owners can purchase a hoof knife and learn to trim the frog clefts themselves.
Equine Stall and Corral
Areas around the barn where horses stand the most are more likely to become muddy, especially in places that experience a winter freeze and spring thaw. During the spring thaw, the ground becomes more susceptible to damage. The ground holds water and the horses' feet create deep divots. Water channels into the divots preventing the ground from drying. The area can be dried out by keeping horses off of the sensitive ground during the spring thaw, or by contacting a contractor for information on armoring the ground to make it hard and to promote proper drainage.
The equine stall should be cleaned on a daily basis. Feces and wet bedding should be removed and replaced with clean, dry bedding. Stall design should be corrected to funnel fluids out of the stall.
Treating Thrush with Topical Ointments
Iodine or commercial thrush ointments may be used to treat thrush. In her 2008 article, "How to Treat Thrush in Horses," Cherry Hill recommends applying sugardine to the infected hoof. Sugardine is a home-made, thin paste made of white table sugar and povidone-iodine. The ointment can be applied with a brush. These ointments should be applied daily or as otherwise directed by the ointment manufacturer's instructions or a veterinarian.
Equine thrush is the result of wet and muddy conditions that cause mud and feces to become impacted in the hoof. This creates an anaerobic environment in which bacteria can thrive. Regular hoof cleaning and keeping a horse in dry conditions are preventative measures as well as treatment for equine thrush.
Diane Ursu - Diane Ursu joined Suite101 as a contributing writer in August 2009 and became a Feature Writer in January 2010. She is a freelance writer ...
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