How to prevent and treat thrush in horses

Thrush is usually quite easy to spot in horses and immediate treatment is required. Occasionally it only becomes apparent when a hoof pick is advanced deep into the affected cleft. Luckily most cases of thrush are superficial and limited to the frog tissue. In more severe cases the infection may extend to the digital cushion hoof wall and heel bulb regions resulting in lameness and the need for treatment. Occasionally swelling extends up the lower part of the leg to the knee or hock. The condition is usually recognised by your vet or farrier on signs alone but biopsies can be taken of the frog tissue to confirm it.

Poor hoof careinadequate hoof hygiene and poor stable management often involving horses standing for prolonged periods in soiled bedding or muddy fields are the most likely causes of thrush. Softening of the hoof tissues is also a predisposing factor. Infrequent farriery and allowing a horses feet to become so overgrown that the frog and bars almost meet combined with a lack of oxygen fresh air to the deeper frog tissue sets up an an aerobic environment in which the bacteria implicated in thrush can thrive.
have also known thrush to develop in horses shod with pads between the shoe and the hoof especially when moisture and dirt become trapped underneath the pad. Occasionally though thrush develops even when the horses management and foot care is exemplary and owners often find this difficult to accept. In such patients foot conformation and sheared heels are likely contributory factors but some horses just develop thrush for no apparent reason.
What is thrush in horses?
Thrush is characterised by a black foulsmelling discharge from horses hooves and urgent treatment is required. It is usually but not always the result of horses being kept in wet dirty ground conditions which makes maintaining good hoof hygiene very difficult
How