On the hoof

Rhea Freeman discusses an aspect of horse health which requires careful handling and a commitment by owners to curb dampness in the stables.

During the colder months, the condition, thrush, is all the more common in horses and ponies, but the key to its effective treatment is recognising the symptoms quickly and making sure that stable and field conditions are as good as they possibly can be.

Thrush is found in the horse's feet and is a foul-smelling bacterial infection of the frog. It can be spotted when picking out the feet, as not only will the smell be present, there will be a black discharge around the frog. In normal circumstances, thrush does not cause lameness although, in severe cases, it can.

Damp ground
How is the condition caused? Thrush is more common in horses during the winter months due to prolonged periods spent on damp bedding indoors because of the weather conditions, and the damp ground outside. Foot conformation is also thought to have an influence on the condition, as horses with deeper clefts around the sides of the frog are more prone to it... there are also other aspects to onformation that mean that some horses are more likely to suffer.

If your horse has thrush and you are unsure what to do, call the vet. Prompt treatment can stop thrush developing into something more sinister. The bacterial infection that is thrush can penetrate into the more sensitive tissues of the hoof and this will cause the horse pain. If this happens, you will find yourself with a situation that can be a lot more difficult to treat.

Dr Chris Colles, from Avonvale Veterinary Practice in Banbury explains: "Thrush is generally regarded as a management problem caused by the feet staying wet and dirty. If dealt with promptly, thrush can usually be treated easily by trimming out infected horn, and keeping the feet clean and dry. We do see some more difficult cases which require rather more veterinary intervention, but this usually results from not dealing with the initial signs promptly."

This is just an extract of the published article. To read the entire article purchase Horse Buyer Issue 6 March 08.

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