Info Sheet - Thrush

FOXTAIL FORGE & FARRIERY
DANVERS CHILD, CF, RJF

DEFINITION:
Thrush is an anaerobic bacterial infection which localizes in the frog of the hoof, usually being most prevalent in the collateral sulci (or commissures) and/or in the central sulcus.

SYPMTOMS:

repulsive odor

watery or oily discharge--often black in color

tenderness in the frog region

fissures/deep pockets extending to the heel bulbs

loss of frog shape/integrity

PREVENTION:

provide clean / dry environment

perform regular maintenance (picking)

TREATMENT:
Treatment varies according to the severity of the condition. Should it be advanced to the point that the horse is lame, blood is present, and/or puss or proud flesh is present, a veterinarian should be contacted to debride the infected area, and administer appropriate medications and tetanus vaccines. Cases of a more intermediate nature (i.e., ones which are not invasive of sensitive tissue), should be debrided and treated aggressively with commercially available medications; my usual recommendation is Hawthorne's Hoof Freeze and Hawthorne's Medicated Sole Pack. For mild cases, I recommend debriding the infected area, increasing maintenance, and applying either commercial applications or a 1:1 mixture of bleach and water.

If you have questions, please post them on the appropriate Bulletin Board page, and I will answer them there, where they can benefit everyone.

This article was reprinted with the authors, Danvers Child, CF, RJF permission.

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