Thrush/ Heel Crack - Advice Please

[Spangles]

What product would you suggest to help heal quite a nasty crack in the heel caused by thrush ? Horse has deep frog crevices too.
Both vet & farrier have cut away nasty tissue on 2 separate visits & advised 10% iodine but I now want to stop as feel it’s too harsh & seems to sting as our horse hides at the back of the stable now.

The smell is hardly noticeable but the frogs need to harden & the crack needs to heal fully. Feet are being picked out (washed & dried) and bedding kept dry & clean. Farrier mentioned confirmation could contribute although this is first time in 5 years our horse has suffered.

What would you suggest using to help with combatting any bacteria in the heel crack & treating the frog/ sole etc

Hedgewick frog & sole has been mentioned to me & got good reviews but would this help with the heel crack ?
Also Artimud (?) has been mentioned.

Would mixing up copper sulphate & petroleum jelly/ Vaseline and trying to get the paste into the crack help ?

I think a spray would be easier as could dribble it into the crack.
Any help/ advice and instructions on best way to use/ apply would be greatly appreciated

 

[Palindrome]

I'd use iodine and then pop some red horse stuff on top if possible.

 

[GinaGeo]

Iodine and copper sulphate can damage healthy tissue.

My preference would be to floss the deep crack with something like a baby wipe or some gauze and then pack it with Red Horse Hoof Stuff.

Artimud is great for filling shallow cracks, but hoof stuff is better for dealing with central sulcus thrush.

I’d then cover the whole frog in Red Horse Field paste.

 

[stangs]

I’d flush the crack with a dental syringe and saline solution, then stuff with Hoof Stuff or a mix of cotton wool and Artimud.

 

[paddy555]

Iodine and copper sulphate can damage healthy tissue.

My preference would be to floss the deep crack with something like a baby wipe or some gauze and then pack it with Red Horse Hoof Stuff.

Artimud is great for filling shallow cracks, but hoof stuff is better for dealing with central sulcus thrush.

I’d then cover the whole frog in Red Horse Field paste.

not effectively dealing with thrush can also damage healthy tissue endlessly and copper/iodine do that.
Packing cracks to my mind does little more than seal the bugs in and the air out.

I would soak for 15 minutes in copper sulphate solution, doing it twice 4 days apart

daily thoroughly cleaning the central sulchus and grooves, push cotton wool in with the hoof pick to get down to the bottom and then leave them exposed to the air.

 

[Gloi]

I always find terramycin spray from the vet works really well.

 

[Spangles]

not effectively dealing with thrush can also damage healthy tissue endlessly and copper/iodine do that.
Packing cracks to my mind does little more than seal the bugs in and the air out.

I would soak for 15 minutes in copper sulphate solution, doing it twice 4 days apart

daily thoroughly cleaning the central sulchus and grooves, push cotton wool in with the hoof pick to get down to the bottom and then leave them exposed to the air.

That’s my concern re not exposing the crack to air - with current dry warm weather I’m wondering if better to just keep clean now. The iodine stings & horse is really unhappy about it being applied. We’ve been using it for a while now.
How much copper Sulphate ratio to water would you recommend? I’ve got the Battles CS

 

[AWinter]

I would have a look at the diet as that can often be the driver of thrush, if things aren’t clearing up quickly I would be wondering about the cause. When they’re really bad I soak them in diluted milton (usually only once), use a syringe to get into the crevices then use Red Horse products (I personally use field paste), I have used bits of cotton wool covered in field paste to shove into the cracks, especially if the heels are contracted the thrush can be so deep and trapped in there.

 

[Spangles]

I would have a look at the diet as that can often be the driver of thrush, if things aren’t clearing up quickly I would be wondering about the cause. When they’re really bad I soak them in diluted milton (usually only once), use a syringe to get into the crevices then use Red Horse products (I personally use field paste), I have used bits of cotton wool covered in field paste to shove into the cracks, especially if the heels are contracted the thrush can be so deep and trapped in there.

But does this not seal the bacteria into the crack/ split & even if cleaned out doesn’t allow the air to get in ? .. this is the bit about using field paste I’m struggling with

 

[Horseysheepy]

I had a little companion pony a few years back that had this and was given some antibiotics in a paste to smear on a poultice on for 3 days, then iodine in a poultice for 3 days to dry it up.

 

[Mrs G]

My TB had deep central sulcus thrush on and off for months (maybe even years!), I could get on top of it but it would never go completely. I tried all sorts (many of which have been mentioned) the only thing that cleared it once and for all was Red Horse Hoof Stuff. I would clean the area with saline solution, let it dry, then stuff the hoof stuff (!) in as deep as poss (with a clean hoof pick or similar) and leave it in until it fell out of its own accord or after 3/4 days and repeat. This keeps the cracks and crevices clean so stops bacteria getting in, and the antibacterial properties of the hoof stuff (honey) help prevent further infection. Gradually healthy tissue grew and we've never had thrush since. Look at diet too as others have said, another thing I did was put a couple of field mats down where he would stand in (wet) mud at the gateway in his field (although with summer on the way hopefully that shouldnt be a problem!)

 

[Identityincrisis]

I’d flush the crack with a dental syringe and saline solution, then stuff with Hoof Stuff or a mix of cotton wool and Artimud.

Dental syringes are great for getting right in. I’ve tried every solution under the sun and have come back to salt water. I then dry the cracks by stuffing them with cotton pads, remove them and restuff with the redhorse products

 

[Spangles]

My TB had deep central sulcus thrush on and off for months (maybe even years!), I could get on top of it but it would never go completely. I tried all sorts (many of which have been mentioned) the only thing that cleared it once and for all was Red Horse Hoof Stuff. I would clean the area with saline solution, let it dry, then stuff the hoof stuff (!) in as deep as poss (with a clean hoof pick or similar) and leave it in until it fell out of its own accord or after 3/4 days and repeat. This keeps the cracks and crevices clean so stops bacteria getting in, and the antibacterial properties of the hoof stuff (honey) help prevent further infection. Gradually healthy tissue grew and we've never had thrush since. Look at diet too as others have said, another thing I did was put a couple of field mats down where he would stand in (wet) mud at the gateway in his field (although with summer on the way hopefully that shouldnt be a problem!)

Thank you. We’re you worried any bacteria was left behind before packing, the crevice in our horse is quite deep.
Do you just stop packing when you can’t really get the stuff in ?
Diet wise, its Molasses free Happy Hoof + Dengie mins + vits as we needed to get some weight off. Lots of good quality hay as grazing is a bit challenged. Previously Allen & Page ride & relax. Thinking about it the thrush has appeared since coming off A&P.
How does diet affect ?

 

[Mrs G]

"We’re you worried any bacteria was left behind before packing?" No because that should be taken care of by the hoof stuff's antibacterial properties.
"Do you just stop packing when you can’t really get the stuff in? Yes - stuff it in until you cant anymore!
You can def improve the diet - Happy Hoof is a bit of a misnomer. Theres plenty of threads on here with good advice on feeding and it can make such a difference. You want low sugar and low starch, avoid commercial feeds stuffed with cheap fillers and artificial additives, and a good supplement cant hurt ( I like Progressive earth Pro-hoof).

 

[Highmileagecob]

Keep it simple, you are correct in your view that harsh chemicals can do more harm than good. Dilute the iodine down to 1% - one part iodine topped up with nine parts of cooled water from the kettle, and use daily to spray the affected areas. Scrub feet with water and an old dandy brush, or add a drop of washing up liquid if really muddy, rinse off and spray. You may find you need to use boots and pads to put gentle pressure on the frogs to get the blood flowing again and kick start healing. Pete Ramey's Hoof Rehab site was my bible when I started to get to grips with thrush, good luck, hope you start seeing some results.

 

[paddy555]

That’s my concern re not exposing the crack to air - with current dry warm weather I’m wondering if better to just keep clean now. The iodine stings & horse is really unhappy about it being applied. We’ve been using it for a while now.
How much copper Sulphate ratio to water would you recommend? I’ve got the Battles CS

far better IMHO to expose to air. I would stop the iodine.
I use 100g per litre as they recommend. Mine is also Battles, If you can soak in either a boot or bucket that is best. If the horse won't allow it then I use copper sulphate pretty strong and scrub them. You could also soak a small piece of cotton wool in strong solution and hoof pick it down any problem grooves. It won't stay in for long but will get the stuff there.

I have simply found the question of diet and thrush to be one of the myths that has grown out of barefoot. Often the hind frogs are a lot better than the front. How does that work? does the feed only go to the front feet.

If we look at horse's feet in nature they don't use creams to seal bugs in. I let the horses pack their feet on their own with mud (not dung)

 

[bouncing_ball]

But does this not seal the bacteria into the crack/ split & even if cleaned out doesn’t allow the air to get in ? .. this is the bit about using field paste I’m struggling with

Fieldpaste and hoof stuff is antibacterial already, it keeps it healthy. Some farriers pack it into foot under pads under shoe.

I would clean thoroughly, dilute hibiscrub / salt water / red horse sole cleanse. Use baby wipe to floss crack Dry, and pack with hoof paste, and or hoof stuff. Push well in all cracks. If dry might stay put a few days, repeat until clears up.

I would not use iodine, or anything you wouldnt put on your own skin. Anything too strong kills healthy tissue as well as bacterial infections, and hurts.

 

[Landcruiser]

Agree with BB above. I swear by Sole Cleanse . I'd inject/flush crevice with it using a syringe, dry, then use Red Horse hoof clay or hoof stuff or even artimud. Repeat daily as long as necessary. Make sure diet is good and low sugar/starch.

 

[Palindrome]

I use povidone iodine 10%, it's what they use to disinfect for surgery, I am pretty sure it doesn't kill healthy tissues, I use it on myself and on my kids too (it's human grade stuff from the drugstore).
Purple spray is good too, I have also used green antibacterial spray before. I think any spray will work as long as it is applied regularly.

The field paste has essential oils in, it won't seal in the bacteria as any bacteria that is in contact with it will die.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I use povidone iodine 10%, it's what they use to disinfect for surgery, I am pretty sure it doesn't kill healthy tissues, I use it on myself and on my kids too (it's human grade stuff from the drugstore).
Purple spray is good too, I have also used green antibacterial spray before. I think any spray will work as long as it is applied regularly.

The field paste has essential oils in, it won't seal in the bacteria as any bacteria that is in contact with it will die.

Tea-tree oil spray worked to clear up a hoof Infection while I waited for Red Horse to be back in stock

 

[bouncing_ball]

I use povidone iodine 10%, it's what they use to disinfect for surgery, I am pretty sure it doesn't kill healthy tissues, I use it on myself and on my kids too (it's human grade stuff from the drugstore).
Purple spray is good too, I have also used green antibacterial spray before. I think any spray will work as long as it is applied regularly.

I dont know, everyone I have seen using iodine on horses feet to treat thrush has end up with horses that are very difficult to handle their feet, and that learn to object violent to having it put on their feet.

It must be stinging and painful and that does indicate being harnful to the healing of open wounds (which bad thrush is).

 

[Gloi]

I dont know, everyone I have seen using iodine on horses feet to treat thrush has end up with horses that are very difficult to handle their feet, and that learn to object violent to having it put on their feet.

It must be stinging and painful and that does indicate being harnful to the healing of open wounds (which bad thrush is).

The same will apply to copper sulphate which hydrolyses to sulphuric acid

 

[bouncing_ball]

The same will apply to copper sulphate which hydrolyses to sulphuric acid

Yes, anything that a horse violently objects to having it's feet treated with, and gets more upset each day, building to horse not wanting feet handles, is hurting them, and will be damaging the injured skin. I see people doing it quite a lot :-(

Think Pete Ramey, said to only treat thrush with stuff you'd happily put on your most sensitive skin areas.

 

[stangs]

Sole Cleanse will also sting though, if you've already got a foot shy horse.

 

[paddy555]

I dont know, everyone I have seen using iodine on horses feet to treat thrush has end up with horses that are very difficult to handle their feet, and that learn to object violent to having it put on their feet.

It must be stinging and painful and that does indicate being harnful to the healing of open wounds (which bad thrush is).

rubbish. I have used iodine and copper sulphate and any horses I have used it on pick their feet up perfectly.
I have often got iodine on my hands and hasn't been a problemYou

 

[lynz88]

I dont know, everyone I have seen using iodine on horses feet to treat thrush has end up with horses that are very difficult to handle their feet, and that learn to object violent to having it put on their feet.

It must be stinging and painful and that does indicate being harnful to the healing of open wounds (which bad thrush is).

This. Mine refused to pick any feet up after using diluted iodine so I don't use anymore. I switched to using a blue spray that I can't find anymore and worked really well.

 

[lynz88]

Sole Cleanse will also sting though, if you've already got a foot shy horse.

That it does and learned as mine became very foot shy after using several times.

 

[bouncing_ball]

That it does and learned as mine became very foot shy after using several times.

Interesting I’ve syringed sole cleanse in deep sulcus cracks without a reaction but if I get it in cracks in my fingers it stings.

 

[bouncing_ball]

rubbish. I have used iodine and copper sulphate and any horses I have used it on pick their feet up perfectly.
I have often got iodine on my hands and hasn't been a problemYou

I don’t know if are using a different concentration or had horses with worse thrush but I know 6 or so horses that had thrush vet / farrier said treat with iodine regularly. Few weeks later horse is throwing itself around and doesn’t want feet picked out. (Previously fine to handle feet).

 

[AWinter]

But does this not seal the bacteria into the crack/ split & even if cleaned out doesn’t allow the air to get in ? .. this is the bit about using field paste I’m struggling with

No if you clean it out well before the paste will take care of the bacteria and it will start to close up quickly. When they’re this bad I usually syringe it out with diluted Milton then use a clean hoof pick to push the pasted cotton wool in. If the horse isn’t shod the frog will expand when they walk which also helps.