In the interests of being honest and to apologise

[Birker2020]

The people who replied to my thread about 'how do these barefeet look?'.

Ok so I admit you were right.....

Lari does have thrush. And I will always hold my hand up if I'm wrong about something and be accountable. So I'm very sorry.

The vet called to the yard yesterday to see an emergency colic and saw me cold hosing Lari. So after treating his emergency call wandered over to see how we were getting on and we chatted about his progress and he asked me to walk him and was pleased with him.

I pointed to a raised lump on his heel and he had a look and said he had thrush. He felt it was as a result of all the cold tubbing and hosing and the inevitable mud he'd been standing in at the retirement place which wasn't present at our yard, simply because there wasn't the volume of horses in one area at the gateway. Not dissing the retirement place, I love it and want him to return. We are hoping in around 6/8 weeks time.

And yes, he said he'd got deep clefts.

So treatment is warm Iodine foot bath and whatever i could find as a thrush treatment to apply.

By chance one of the liveries overheard what I'd said to someone about it. Her daughter who'd won a prize at the weekend had won a bottle of spray thrush treatment and had no use for it so offered it to me. And lent me a bottle of iodine too! People are so kind and thoughtful.

So I'm sorry for not listening. You were right he does have deep clefts. And although i was convinced thrush was some black putrid smelling substance that I'd not encountered at the time of my barefoot thread I must admit what he has now is thrush although it doesn't smell like I thought it would very much at all.

So apart from the bandaging, cold hosing, ice vibing and in hand walking twice a day I now have iodine tubbing and foot spraying to add to the 'care package'.

 

[gryff]

I love your honesty!
I've had remarkable results with diluted 50:50 apple cider vinegar and water. Best when scrubbed on with a toothbrush or hoof brush, but really easy to spray into clefts a few times a day.

 

[Red-1]

I knew he had thrush, but well done for admitting it now! You would also be amazed at how quickly it can be cleared.

When they have thrush like that it means that they don't walk comfortably on their frogs, so avoid it (toe first landing) so the heels don't get the stimulation for growth and the frog becomes even less healthy.

As he is now restricted, I would get in there. I use something slim to get into the crack, preferably to get it bigger as air is one of the things to help. If a hoof pick fits then I have a good broddle, if it is soft enough to come out, then it is diseased and needs to come out.

If a hoof pick doesn't fit, then I use something slim like a bradawl. I am more circumspect with that though, as it is sharp enough to inadvertently cause damage to healthy tissue. I sometimes take some (repurposed) kitchen scissors and carefully make the deep crack into a more V shape by trimming the edges, so air and product can penetrate into the bottom of the crack. Unless you reach the bottom of the crack, product can't get in there, air can't get in there and the infection will fester.

I tried, on a whim, this year a product called "Hoof Doctor" which seems to have had good effect. About a month ago, both my horses shed out some sole and frog. During this time there were hidey holes for infection as the clefts got deeper due to the sheer depth and half-shed shapes. I found the hoof doctor helped keep it dry, and on BH seemed to help harden the sole but gently, not like Keratex which can dry it out too much.

I really rate Cleantrax but it is a faff. You need the soaking boot too but, if it is done properly, it seems to be a one hit wonder.

It is a faff, I do a twice a day excavation to reveal the depths of the crevice, and clean/treat, but bear in mind that, once done, the frog will become plump and smooth and not be as prone to any infection. Rigs only needs picking daily and a brush round with a product in very wet weather.

You said at the time that three weeks couldn't make any difference but, at that time, Rigs was going through his shedding and did have an infected crevice, which was aggressively treated and was clear within about 10 days. I trimmed it back, scrubbed, product, and now he again has impervious frogs.

 

[Birker2020]

I knew he had thrush, but well done for admitting it now! You would also be amazed at how quickly it can be cleared.

When they have thrush like that it means that they don't walk comfortably on their frogs, so avoid it (toe first landing) so the heels don't get the stimulation for growth and the frog becomes even less healthy.

As he is now restricted, I would get in there. I use something slim to get into the crack, preferably to get it bigger as air is one of the things to help. If a hoof pick fits then I have a good broddle, if it is soft enough to come out, then it is diseased and needs to come out.

If a hoof pick doesn't fit, then I use something slim like a bradawl. I am more circumspect with that though. I sometimes take some (repurposed) kitchen scissors and carefully make the deep crack into a more V shape by trimming the edges, so air and product can penetrate into the bottom of the crack. Unless you reach the bottom of the crack, product can't get in there, air can't get in there and the infection will fester.

I tried, on a whim, this year a product called "Hoof Doctor" which seems to have had good effect. About a month ago, both my horses shed out some sole and frog. During this time there were hidey holes for infection as the clefts got deeper due to the sheer depth and half-shed shapes. I found the hoof doctor helped keep it dry, and on BH seemed to help harden the sole but gently, not like Keratex which can dry it out too much.

I really rate Cleantrax but it is a faff. You need the soaking boot too but, if it is done properly, it seems to be a one hit wonder.

It is a faff, I do a twice a day excavation to reveal the depths of the crevice, and clean/treat, but bear in mind that, once done, the frog will become plump and smooth and not be as prone to any infection. Rigs only needs picking daily and a brush round with a product in very wet weather.

You said at the time that three weeks couldn't make any difference but, at that time, Rigs was going through his shedding and did have an infected crevice, which was aggressively treated and was clear within about 10 days. I trimmed it back, scrubbed, product, and now he again has impervious frogs.

I hope can get it sorted. He's going out next Monday. Doesn't look like I have any work next week either so hopefully i can get on top of it.

 

[Red-1]

Just for amusement, these were Rigs' shed pieces! They peeled off.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Good for you birker Purple spray is also good for thrush. Cheapest place for Iodine I have found was amazon. Its handy

 

[Baywonder]

My old dad used to say "It takes a bigger man to admit they were wrong and apologise"

Good on you @Birker2020 - and I hope the thrush is soon gone. X

 

[Reacher]

If it’s any consolation Birker , I’ve been convinced my horse couldn’t have thrush, as I was so religious about hoof picking and cleaning, when he did .
I think getting rid of the diseased tissue is key as Red describes else just applying product to the diseased tissue doesn’t stop it.
I’ve found the top of a bic biro to be a useful tool for picking out holes!
Also, rather than just sloshing on product, soak some cotton wool and stuff it in.

 

[GinaGeo]

The best stuff for clearing thrush in deep clefts is the Red Horse Hoof Stuff, which is a treated sticky cotton wool that you stuff in them.

Once it’s in, it stays there for quite awhile and can clear it up very quickly indeed.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Tea-tree oils spray works well for thrush, ime. The spray means that it can get into crevices easily

 

[Highmileagecob]

If the clefts are very tight, ask your vet for a 100ml syringe and blast the iodine through. Also ask your vet if he/she thinks Terramycin spray would be a good idea. That is the only purple spray that is really effective against foot rot and thrush - the Purple Spray from off the shelf is gentian violet preparation, and is different. All respect to you for this post, it isn't easy to hold your hands up and admit you were on the wrong track, but if it gets Lari's feet balanced and healthy, who knows - you may be pulling him out of retirement!

 

[alibali]

Much respect for admitting you made a mistake. We all get things wrong sometimes.

Everyone has their favourite treatments, sometimes it takes a couple of tries to hit on the right products for them and their horse. My farrier recommended Bactakil which I use at the start of treatment but it's so strong I worry long term it may damage healthy tissue so normally follow up with something kinder like Red Horse products. For deep nearly closed cracks the best success I've had is following cleaning to stuff cotton wool covered in sudocrem into them. Usually lasts a couple of days which might be useful if you can't get down daily. Fingers crossed you manage to get on top of it quickly now.

 

[Reacher]

Tea-tree oils spray works well for thrush, ime. The spray means that it can get into crevices easily

Is that neat tea tree oil or in a solution of something? Any particular brand?
I have tried near tea tree oil from the chemist but wasn’t sure if that is too strong or ok if just used occasionally. Thanks

 

[misst]

I hope he improves soon both with his lameness and the thrush. You are a very brave person to come back and admit you were wrong - we need more like you x

 

[TinseLeneHorse]

My old farrier now retired swore by a sugar and iodine poultice for thrush.

 

[Birker2020]

Please can you look at these photos and tell me what you think of the 'thing' that reminds me of a blister.

It is filled with fluid or at least feels like that. He's very sore to touch, I tried to open the crack a bit but he was waving his foot around. Could it be an abscess coming through the heel? Its extremely sore to touch and he's gone quite lame on it. Right now I'm more concerned about that then anything.

This morning I cold hosed for 15 minutes. Then I hot tubbed (well warm really) the heel in diluted iodine solution for 15 mins.

I then stood him on a bit of cotton wall to soak up the moisture but wasn't sure whether to use the thrush spray I'd been given as its pure hydrogen peroxide.

Not sure whether to send these photos to the vet. I'll be honest with you, I dont have much money to buy anything expensive thrush treatment as I've not been in work for a few weeks and I'm living off my savings whilst waiting for the next contract.

Besides which, the feed merchant won't have much choice in what I can buy.

 

[Red-1]

Has he been wearing hoof boots? Could it be a rub?

 

[Red-1]

In any case, with something like that I would want to feel it and see how far down it goes. If it is an infection, nothing can cure until it is clean.

I would send the photo to the vet though, they often don't charge for a photo review of one they are already treating.

 

[Birker2020]

Has he been wearing hoof boots? Could it be a rub?

No he's not. Just stable bandages.
Whether its the constant hosing that has done it.

 

[Birker2020]

In any case, with something like that I would want to feel it and see how far down it goes. If it is an infection, nothing can cure until it is clean.

I would send the photo to the vet though, they often don't charge for a photo review of one they are already treating.

Yes think I'm going to do that now. Thanks Red-1.

 

[Red-1]

No he's not. Just stable bandages.
Whether its the constant hosing that has done it.

Rigs had something similar when he first came. He was a recovering laminitic with a poultice. Part of his hoof turned to mush. A few hours later, it had firmed up. Gave me a helluva scare though! I wouldn't be paying for a vet until it has had a chance to dry. I would defo open up that crack for the thrush a bit though, with a crack that tight you have little chance of getting it clean.

 

[Birker2020]

Ok I've sent the photos to the practice and they will forward them ohere's a close up - step away from the photo if you're eating your lunch.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Is this the same hoof that you asked an opinion on recently? If it is, it looks like a hoof that is starting to rehab nicely. Every possibility he is throwing an abscess, but from a photo it is difficult to tell. Any chance he will let you clean out each side of the frog? Possibly some sore areas under the mud that would benefit from the soaking. Be wary of using anything you think may be too strong at this stage - thrush is extremely painful, but once you can expose the areas to air, get the worst of the infected tissue trimmed away, and get him weighting the back of his foot, then everything seems to fall into place and healing happens.

 

[Ratface]

Good for you birker Purple spray is also good for thrush. Cheapest place for Iodine I have found was amazon. Its handy

Another one for purple spray for thrush-infected frogs.

 

[Birker2020]

Is this the same hoof that you asked an opinion on recently? If it is, it looks like a hoof that is starting to rehab nicely. Every possibility he is throwing an abscess, but from a photo it is difficult to tell. Any chance he will let you clean out each side of the frog? Possibly some sore areas under the mud that would benefit from the soaking. Be wary of using anything you think may be too strong at this stage - thrush is extremely painful, but once you can expose the areas to air, get the worst of the infected tissue trimmed away, and get him weighting the back of his foot, then everything seems to fall into place and healing happens.

Aw thanks. He's fine with his frogs, he's been on box rest since last Thursday and lets me pick out his feet normally, twice daily.

That dirt you see is part of his frog i suspect. Or it might be that's he's picked up some soil hand grazing.

 

[PurBee]

Please can you look at these photos and tell me what you think of the 'thing' that reminds me of a blister.

It is filled with fluid or at least feels like that. He's very sore to touch, I tried to open the crack a bit but he was waving his foot around. Could it be an abscess coming through the heel? Its extremely sore to touch and he's gone quite lame on it. Right now I'm more concerned about that then anything.

This morning I cold hosed for 15 minutes. Then I hot tubbed (well warm really) the heel in diluted iodine solution for 15 mins.

I then stood him on a bit of cotton wall to soak up the moisture but wasn't sure whether to use the thrush spray I'd been given as its pure hydrogen peroxide.

Not sure whether to send these photos to the vet. I'll be honest with you, I dont have much money to buy anything expensive thrush treatment as I've not been in work for a few weeks and I'm living off my savings whilst waiting for the next contract.

Besides which, the feed merchant won't have much choice in what I can buy.

When my gelding throws one of his ‘silent’ mini abscesses they often look like that, same place back of frog area. Just one day i’ll suddenly notice a sore like that, and it is sore for him to have it touched, but otherwise walks fine on the hoof. I leave the hoof unwrapped so the sore can dry-out and heal better. I apply any antibac, non-greasy salves i have to hand.

I usually see a little hole, or abscess gunk exit split, which im not seeing on your pics. You know better hoof in hand if theres any visual small splits or holes near the sore.

As red suggested, it also looks like a very sore boot rub. Or maybe is it where the recent leg bandage ends and sharp bedding like shaving pieces gets caught and has been rubbing?

Dont use pure hydrogen peroxide on that - as a side note to your question, just a caution. It will sting like a biatch. I use aloe vera on anything that is super sore looking as its cooling, non-stingy, and soaks into the layers. Its non greasy. Then alternate with some antibac. sprays like the violet mentioned, or silver spray.

 

[PurBee]

Just a thought, maybe the sore is a tiny abscess about to pop? It looks pop-able. Like i said, my gelding walks fine with these mini-abscesses, rather than hopping lame with deeper abscesses.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Id say pop it if it is poppable. Nothing good will come of the fluid being left in the puss bag

 

[Birker2020]

Id say pop it if it is poppable. Nothing good will come of the fluid being left in the puss bag

He'd literally jump on top of me if I did
The emergency duty vet who I sent photos to and then rang also thinks its an abscess so I've put an animal lintex on.

Hopefully something gross will come out tomorrow afternoon on the pad.

 

[Barton Bounty]

He'd literally jump on top of me if I did
The emergency duty vet who I sent photos to and then rang also thinks its an abscess so I've put an animal lintex on.

Hopefully something gross will come out tomorrow afternoon on the pad.

Probably will, is it smelly?