Part 2: Thrush in horses

Part 1 discussed the various

causes signs and symptoms

of thrush in horses

What treatments are used for Thrush?

  • Daily management has a significant role to play in the prevention and treatment of thrush.
  • If a horse has thrush, the underlying cause should first be identified and removed.
  • The horse should be moved to a clean, dry environment and the feet cleaned daily.
  • The feet should be picked out daily and susceptible horses that are stabled during the day should stand on clean, dry concrete or matting to allow air to get to the feet.
  • Regular turnout on a dry paddock is also beneficial.
  • Every vet has her/his favourite remedy, most of which aim to dry out the feet.
  • The veterinary advice and treatment procedure will include the following:
  • Thrush will never resolve unless the hoof hygiene is good.
  • A damaged frog is the perfect entry point for the bacteria that cause tetanus, so the treating vet will ensure that the horse has adequate protection against this risk.
  • The initial stage of treatment is to remove all of the decayed dead tissue from the infected area using a hoof knife on at least one occasion, until healthy tissue is reached. This may need to be done over more than one visit depending on the severity of the condition.
  • Once the diseased tissue is removed, the area is washed with a disinfectant and dried thoroughly.
  • Applications such as stockholm tar, hydrogen peroxide, eucalyptus oil etc, may be used. There are also a multitude of formalin-based products which can be applied.
  • An antibiotic spray will be prescribed to apply to the affected parts of the feet after they have been completely dried.
  • This procedure needs to be repeated twice daily until the infection has disappeared.
  • Bedding should preferably be either paper or shavings.
  • If the horse is turned out, it should only be on a well draining paddock or it should be brought in to stand on a dry surface for several hours each day.
  • A course of systemic antibiotics may be prescribed in some cases if the infection has spread or travelled up the leg.
  • Alternatively the treating vet may opt to use other treatments instead of using antibiotics. This may be one of the following:
  • An Iodine solution
  • Copper Sulphate or Blue Stone
  • Formalin 10% solution
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Phenol
  • Povidine
  • It is important to note that the application of any of these products must be restricted to the sole and the frog areas and not applied over the coronary band nor on the pastern area. Products such as copper sulphate could cause damage to healthy skin in the latter areas.
  • When infection has entered the sensitive laminae, the treating vet will recommend that a poultice should be applied to the foot. A course of antibiotics will usually be prescribed in these cases.
  • A bar shoe may be recommended to minimise movement. However, the bars may present a risk of impeding the air from circulating into the frog. Occasionally, where a bar type shoe is considered as part of the essential treatment process, the vet may recommend a specially welded shoe with a raised bar across the toe and heel. This type of shoe allows air to circulate under the foot.
  • Some vets recommend lowering of the hoof wall to increase the frog pressure. It is important to ensure that the normal angle of the foot is not altered and also to ensure that the horse is still on a clean dry surface.

    • How is thrush prevented?

  • Careful stable and hoof management is essential if thrush is to be prevented.
  • As the bacteria are killed by oxygen, regular use of the hoof pick will allow air to access the foot and reduce the ability of the bacteria to take hold.
  • Keeping stables clean with plenty of good quality, dry bedding. If horses are in for long periods, bank the beds during the day to allow them to stand on an area of clean, dry concrete.
  • Bedding such as wood shavings or paper, both of which drain down to the base leaving a dry top layer, may be fairly good options.
  • Routine regular farriery is important. To ensure that the frog pressure is maintained, regular foot trimming and shoeing should be carried out by a competent farrier.
  • If outdoors, a dry paddock should be used if possible.

    • What is the prognosis?

  • Symptoms respond well to treatment but this involves a lot of hard work as on-going daily attention is required for quite a while which could extend over several months.
  • In addition to treatment, thrush problems should be relatively easy to resolve if management is improved. However unless the hoof hygiene is good, the condition will not be cleared fully.
  • As previously mentioned, a damaged frog is the perfect entry point for the bacteria that cause tetanus, so adequate protection against this occurring must be put in place.
  • If the condition persists and lingers even after treatment, management should be reviewed to consider whether it could be the more serious condition of canker. Draught horses are more high-risk canker candidates.