Thrush

What is Thrush?

"Thrush is an infective condition of the frog and its sulci which results in degeneration of the horn (the protective frog callous) and the production of foul smelling gray/black discharge.

In severe or neglected cases, Thrush can involve the underlying corium. Degeneration of the horn is due to infection with keratolytic bacteria and fungi, and multiple organism infections are common. Predisposing causes of thrush include wet unhygienic stable conditions, poor routine foot care, prolonged confinement, overgrown ragged frogs, and long, contracted or high heels which produce deep sulci.

There may be a dietary component as well, as horses on high carbohydrate diets, high sugar diets seem more likely to have Thrush. Unfortunately, Thrush doesn't always stink and have a discharge, and many owners and vets miss it. Its possible for Thrush to thrive in feet with hard dry frogs. Thrush contains anaerobic bacteria that flourish in tight cracks and deep central sulci.

People mistakenly believe that Thrush is something horses only have when the footing is damp and filthy. Once established in a hoof, thrush lingers on through summers driest days, creating extreme discomfort for the horses that have it.  Horses with severe thrush will be very tender-footed and intolerant of hard and varying surfaces. 

Thrush in this horse's central sulcus is so advanced that the fungus has created a deep crater.  The hoof pick in this photos has not yet reached the bottom of this crater.  This can be extremely painful for the horse.

This horse's thrush is so advanced that it has caused lameness and extreme pain.  It is also not uncommon to note a bloody discharge from the affected area in advanced cases.

Treatment

We have found a couple of products that have performed consistently well in treating thrush.  They are:

No Thrush (dry formula)

Clean Trax (hoof cleanser)

It is important to note that horses with tough thrush will need ongoing treatment.  They will not show significant improvement until the hoof has had an opportunity to regrow healthy tissue in the affected area.