Thrush in the hooves is a common problem that many horses can suffer from. If you own or care for a horse or pony, it is essential that you understand how to recognize and manage this painful condition.
Thrush is a bacterial infection of the horse’s hoof. It mostly affects the soft tissue of the frog and the heel bulbs. Thrush may affect just one hoof at a time, or more than one.
• Wet, soiled bedding in a stable or barn• Muddy grazing conditions
• Heavy rainfall causes persistently wet pasture
• Poor hoof care routine
• Inadequate hoof trimming, leading to deep frog clefts
The first step in treating thrush is to keep the hooves as clean and dry as possible. If your horse lives in a stable or barn, you will need to remove soiled and wet bedding at regular intervals.
So, as we have learned, thrush in horses’ hooves is caused by a bacterial infection that thrives in moist conditions. If your horse has thrush in his hooves, you will need to remove the initial cause, such as wet, dirty bedding, or a muddy field.