Thrush in the field kept horse

[stangs]

For context, horse has had thrush since I bought him as a stabled horse a few months back. The smell hasn’t gotten worse in that time, but recently, he’s become much less keen on his fores being picked up, the frogs aren’t soft but are holey/uneven, and I’m convinced the central sulcus has gotten deeper. His feet are quite flat too, which I’m guessing doesn’t help.

He lives out now, but spends maybe 6 hours on hard ground eating hay. So, when it’s dry, his feet get that chance to dry, but not when it’s been raining (he actively avoids the field shelter). The pasture has very little mud, but he does have a habit of using only the muddiest paths to get from field to field.

He gets his feet picked out, brushed and dried with a towel, and Sole Cleanse sprayed on, 4-5 times a week but I haven’t seen any improvement. If anything his frogs look worse. One farrier recommended to leave it be for now. The second said to dry the hoof and then stuff the central sulcus with Artimud, but, even after he stood around unhappily for 30 minutes for it to solidify, it fell out after a few minutes in the field.

He’s going to start receiving some vits&mins soon, but, again, he’ll only receive his feed 4-5 days a week.

Attaching photos below of what I think is his worst foot (his LF looks worse, but is also the foot he’s least happy to have picked up - hence I’m presuming the RF is the sorest to have weight on). In the dry photo, you can see how deep the central sulcus is. In the wet photo, I’m hoping you can see what the frog looks like under the dirt.

What would people recommend - both topical treatment and management wise? Ideally, I’d like to avoid any more Red Horse products, and I’d struggle to apply any treatment that requires him to keep his foot up for too long.

TIA

Spoiler: dry

Spoiler: wet, post-Sole Cleanse

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

TBF Faran who is out all day and in at night on a deep dry straw bed has thrush in two feet just now. I’m blaming the very wet ground for it. He was out all summer on the same ground and was fine. I’m treating it with Milton sprayed on daily in the morning whilst tied up when he’s being mucked out to give it a chance then again at night once he comes in.

 

[ester]

As central sulcuses go it's not that deep, but it's also not very 'tight' which does limit options for stuff staying in it. I am a big red horse fan though and this time of year would just be slapping some field paste on it and leaving it to it.

 

[olop]

Mine got thrush really bad after it started getting wet following the dry summer. He’s out 24/7 and my farrier recommended iodine sprayed on neat. I only applied it twice and the problem was solved. His feet were much worse than yours the frog was falling off and his soles were cracking all over the place.

 

[ihatework]

I’d hit it with the vet prescription blue spray.

 

[cauda equina]

I use this
https://www.viovet.co.uk/Battles-Veterinary-Antibacterial-Aerosol/c9315/

 

[Zoeypxo]

Red horse products are great. I have used the sole cleanse spray and the clay with great success

 

[spotty_pony]

I recommend Lincoln pine tar spray

 

[TPO]

Another vote for Red Horse Field paste. It is a paste and doesn't need stuffed in/held in place like Hoof Stuff.

I wouldn't spray/wash hooves regularly. While dry I'd brush clean with a hoof brush then cover with Field Paste and make sure it's down into every crevice.

When you had time and daylight I'd clean the hooves them flush with Sole Cleanse or very diluted Milton and then let the hooves "air dry" on clean hard ground (concrete?). I use blue paper or kitchen towel to ensure the hoof is totally dry. Then smoother in FP.

I had a horse with a chronic abscess out a hind frog and heel, that along with lots of box rest after surgery for it resulted in lots of thrush despite immaculate hygiene. It was a nightmare and vets (3 practices and vet hospital) couldn't diagnose him. It's a long story. My point is I feel like I've tried every thrush potion available from Clean Trax, White Lightning, iodine, hydrogen peroxide (under vet supervision), N T Dry, the KC Pierre Silver Spray, blue spray from vet, sudocreme (this is pretty decent for tight Central sulcus' as is "flossing" with baby wipes) and the whole Red Horse range. Field Paste definitely did the job best for me.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Dilute Milton or iodine is good for thrush.

 

[SadKen]

Clean Trax to clear the thrush. Hooves need to be soaked for 35-45 mins then bagged for the vapour to do it’s thing. You need one bottle per two hooves, and it costs 20 quid for a bottle, but it’s bloody good and works in one treatment. Clean Trax doesn’t mess about and it doesn’t damage healthy tissue like some of the old methods do. Red Horse to keep it gone. Or if you’re wanting more bang for your buck, horse leads does good stuff cheaper. I find red horse nice stuff but it’s not remotely cost effective in the quantities I use and horse leads does great sole cleanse and hoof clay.

 

[mini_b]

Used sole cleanse, field paste, blue spray.
Nothing got on top of it at all.

iodine started to harden things up but has deep sulcus crack and squashy frog so bought clean trax after glowing reviews on here.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Tea-tree oil works well on hooves, ime.

 

[AntiPuck]

I use a combo of Hedgewitch Essentials Sole Saviour as a base (it's an oil so it sticks well and penetrates), then a Horse Leads Hoof Stuff dupe to pack the central sulcus, then Horse Leads Hoof Clay smothered over the top and into the collateral grooves. I find the sprays are a bit light for when it's really wet and muddy, but the oil can cope.

 

[GinaGeo]

I’d give a spray of dilute Milton daily to start with, but reducing down. And then when in for a little while I’d smother with Field paste or Horse Leads clay. And allow to dry a little before putting back out ?

From the pictures it doesn’t look to bad, but it’s definitely easier to sort at this point than letting it progress further.

 

[sbloom]

Lots of things being recommended that do harm healthy tissue so wouldn't be my first choice, they are somewhat old fashioned remedies. I like Hedgewitch from what I've seen, and definitely Red Horse products. I've had personal success with a proper Cleantrax soak years ago but you need a tall soaking boot and it's a faff (and don't wear a newish coat like I did, it was a freezing day and it was my warmest coat, it can bleach fabric ). I was expecting poor frogs but they look much better than most so I can't advise further than that.

 

[Highmileagecob]

To be honest, you seem to have got on top of the thrush. The frogs look good considering he is on muddy pasture. Maybe take a look at Pete Ramey's hoof rehab pages. That was a game changer for my cob. Pete Ramey observed that the frog has to be subject to mild pressure in order to get the blood flow working as it should and build healthy firm tissue. If you can put him in boots and pads for exercise, you should see the heel start to drop and the frog firm up. If he were mine I would ask the trimmer not to take the wall of the hoof down to the level of the sole - The frog should not be totally weight bearing but 'kiss' the ground as the hoof flexes. Good luck!

 

[paddy555]

are you sure the problem is thrush in the frog? I wouldn't even treat those frogs. I would clean the grooves very deep and thoroughly and then clean the central sulchus with cotton wool or a piece of towel daily or even twice daily for a while to get it totally clean and dry. Clean it really firmly, push the cotton wool in with a hoof pick. I wouldn't put anything on then just leave it to the elements.
It is always difficult to tell from pics but I wonder if your horse is frog walking ie putting too much pressure on the frogs. Also I wonder if the feet need to grow more quickly and would be giving a good supplement. For me that would be equimins advanced concentrate at a full dose. Years ago I had a foot like yours that simply didn't grow. He wasn't having a supplement so I gave equimins hoof mender. The difference in growth rate was very noticeable so I think some do need a good supplement to grow good feet. .

 

[stangs]

Thanks all. Good to hear that no one thinks the thrush is going to cripple him anytime soon.

Tea-tree oil works well on hooves, ime.

Interesting. How much did you apply and how did you apply it? Did you dilute?

Lots of things being recommended that do harm healthy tissue so wouldn't be my first choice, they are somewhat old fashioned remedies. I like Hedgewitch from what I've seen, and definitely Red Horse products. I've had personal success with a proper Cleantrax soak years ago but you need a tall soaking boot and it's a faff (and don't wear a newish coat like I did, it was a freezing day and it was my warmest coat, it can bleach fabric ). I was expecting poor frogs but they look much better than most so I can't advise further than that.

What would you advise against? I've been told to stay away from iodine and stockholm tar, but that's it.

To be honest, you seem to have got on top of the thrush. The frogs look good considering he is on muddy pasture. Maybe take a look at Pete Ramey's hoof rehab pages. That was a game changer for my cob. Pete Ramey observed that the frog has to be subject to mild pressure in order to get the blood flow working as it should and build healthy firm tissue. If you can put him in boots and pads for exercise, you should see the heel start to drop and the frog firm up. If he were mine I would ask the trimmer not to take the wall of the hoof down to the level of the sole - The frog should not be totally weight bearing but 'kiss' the ground as the hoof flexes. Good luck!

Thank you, will check Pete Ramey out. At the moment, he's doing 30-40 minutes of roadwork, 4x weekly, to make his feet less flat. Would that be suitable as regards mild pressure, or too much?

are you sure the problem is thrush in the frog? I wouldn't even treat those frogs. I would clean the grooves very deep and thoroughly and then clean the central sulchus with cotton wool or a piece of towel daily or even twice daily for a while to get it totally clean and dry. Clean it really firmly, push the cotton wool in with a hoof pick. I wouldn't put anything on then just leave it to the elements.
It is always difficult to tell from pics but I wonder if your horse is frog walking ie putting too much pressure on the frogs. Also I wonder if the feet need to grow more quickly and would be giving a good supplement. For me that would be equimins advanced concentrate at a full dose. Years ago I had a foot like yours that simply didn't grow. He wasn't having a supplement so I gave equimins hoof mender. The difference in growth rate was very noticeable so I think some do need a good supplement to grow good feet. .

Thank you. I'd like to think the problem is thrush, as presumably the reluctance to pick his fores up would otherwise be pain in the legs and he's never been lame on his fores (yet, at least). How do I tell if he's frog walking? To me, his walk and footfall looks really good at the minute, but his feet are very flat.

He's due to start Progressive Earth's Pro Laminae+ to see if that helps with the foot growth - he used to be on a starvation diet so definitely deficient - but I will compare it against hoof mender.

 

[paddy555]

Thanks all. Good to hear that no one thinks the thrush is going to cripple him anytime soon.


Interesting. How much did you apply and how did you apply it? Did you dilute?


What would you advise against? I've been told to stay away from iodine and stockholm tar, but that's it.


Thank you, will check Pete Ramey out. At the moment, he's doing 30-40 minutes of roadwork, 4x weekly, to make his feet less flat. Would that be suitable as regards mild pressure, or too much?


Thank you. I'd like to think the problem is thrush, as presumably the reluctance to pick his fores up would otherwise be pain in the legs and he's never been lame on his fores (yet, at least). How do I tell if he's frog walking? To me, his walk and footfall looks really good at the minute, but his feet are very flat.

He's due to start Progressive Earth's Pro Laminae+ to see if that helps with the foot growth - he used to be on a starvation diet so definitely deficient - but I will compare it against hoof mender.

do you think you have thrush because that is what you want him to have rather than anything else? I don't see a thrush problem, it is a case where keeping the sulchus well cleaned and dried would be helpful and making sure the grooves are clean but that is all.
If you treat a horse with little or no thrush what are you going to do when he really does have thrush. I don't use anything on feet. If the horse gets thrush I treat it otherwise I just use a wire brush on the soles and wire brush the frog as well.
Does he fail to pick up his fores because of bruising in the foot? failure to pick them up doesn't necessarily mean pain in his legs. Horses for example with a stone bruise on the foot often refuse to stand on the bruised foot as it is too painful.

is he being ridden barefoot or booted ATM?

put a ruler or rasp over his heels with the foot held up. Does it rock on the frog or is it sitting firmly on the heels. Where is the frog in relation to the ruler,

I wouldn't like to comment from a pic on the internet if a foot was balanced but I wonder about this from the first pic.

 

[Tarragon]

I am another one who cannot see any real evidence of thrush in that photo.
I do use Red Horse products, but I think you might have a different problem to treat here

 

[Fieldlife]

Thanks all. Good to hear that no one thinks the thrush is going to cripple him anytime soon.

What would you advise against? I've been told to stay away from iodine and stockholm tar, but that's it.

He's due to start Progressive Earth's Pro Laminae+ to see if that helps with the foot growth - he used to be on a starvation diet so definitely deficient - but I will compare it against hoof mender.

Not Sbloom, but general thinking is to avoid anything caustic / agressive that kills the healthy tissue you want to survive. So not iodine / or any of the caustic commercial thrush buster products.

Have you used anything that might sting (red horse products dont) that might make him funny about having feet handled?

I have always found living out on damp ground makes feet a bit prone to thrush, so it is a continual focus.

I think good diet, sufficient minerals, and regular application of thrush prevention treatment stuff helps.

Personally I use all the red horse products and vary what I use. Sole cleanse pretty much daily. Sole paint or field paste a few times a week, depending on how wet it is. Arthimud / Hoof stuff in any deeper bits as occur.

I also sometimes put stuff in feet just before travelling in lorry / wearing boots so has maximum effect/./

 

[Highmileagecob]

Thanks all. Good to hear that no one thinks the thrush is going to cripple him anytime soon.


Interesting. How much did you apply and how did you apply it? Did you dilute?


What would you advise against? I've been told to stay away from iodine and stockholm tar, but that's it.


Thank you, will check Pete Ramey out. At the moment, he's doing 30-40 minutes of roadwork, 4x weekly, to make his feet less flat. Would that be suitable as regards mild pressure, or too much?


Thank you. I'd like to think the problem is thrush, as presumably the reluctance to pick his fores up would otherwise be pain in the legs and he's never been lame on his fores (yet, at least). How do I tell if he's frog walking? To me, his walk and footfall looks really good at the minute, but his feet are very flat.

He's due to start Progressive Earth's Pro Laminae+ to see if that helps with the foot growth - he used to be on a starvation diet so definitely deficient - but I will compare it against hoof mender.

Because his feet are flat, it is possible that his frogs are weight bearing instead of acting like a shock absorber - a bit difficult to explain, but basically the horse should land on the heel and roll the hoof forward. As the hoof lands, the heels spread slightly allowing the frog to drop, touch the ground and snap back into place. The bars and heel buttress all play their part in stabilising the foot, helping traction and form a shallow protective cage around the back third of the frog - if buttress and bars are taken down too far, then you may start to see heel pain as weight distribution is affected. I am not a farrier, but became very interested in hoof care years ago when my then farrier simply kept telling me to put shoes on. My old cob is now rising 28, has never been shod, and has good healthy feet.

 

[Fieldlife]

Because his feet are flat, it is possible that his frogs are weight bearing instead of acting like a shock absorber - a bit difficult to explain, but basically the horse should land on the heel and roll the hoof forward. As the hoof lands, the heels spread slightly allowing the frog to drop, touch the ground and snap back into place. The bars and heel buttress all play their part in stabilising the foot, helping traction and form a shallow protective cage around the back third of the frog - if buttress and bars are taken down too far, then you may start to see heel pain as weight distribution is affected. I am not a farrier, but became very interested in hoof care years ago when my then farrier simply kept telling me to put shoes on. My old cob is now rising 28, has never been shod, and has good healthy feet.

Yes I wondered that. One photo the frog looks proud of the sole and other photo not so much. Certainly if the frog takes too much weight versus the sole, it can make them very sore footed.

You could try standing him on soft ground before picking feet up and see if makes a difference.

 

[cauda equina]

I am another one who cannot see any real evidence of thrush in that photo.
I do use Red Horse products, but I think you might have a different problem to treat here

I agree, it doesn't look thrushy to me either
OP, does it smell?

 

[Nudibranch]

Just to say, this comes up time and time again but iodine is not "caustic". If you buy 10% povidine iodine, you can use it neat or dilute. It's what surgeons (and vets) use to swab skin before operating. I have lots of discarded bottles from OH (they are otherwise binned after one patient). It drives me mad when people claim it's damaging to tissue!

It does work for thrush in my experience. My farrier recommends Stockholm tar, which does also work ime. I also quite like Field Paste, although I do think Red Horse are a bit overrated tbh. It doesn't work any more or less well than iodine and it's several times the price...

 

[Fieldlife]

Just to say, this comes up time and time again but iodine is not "caustic". If you buy 10% povidine iodine, you can use it neat or dilute. It's what surgeons (and vets) use to swab skin before operating. I have lots of discarded bottles from OH (they are otherwise binned after one patient). It drives me mad when people claim it's damaging to tissue!

It does work for thrush in my experience. My farrier recommends Stockholm tar, which does also work ime. I also quite like Field Paste, although I do think Red Horse are a bit overrated tbh. It doesn't work any more or less well than iodine and it's several times the price...

Iodine is caustic and drying. Though cheap relatively good disinfectant

https://www.epauk.org/about-equine-...ing_wp_cron=1669128012.7321269512176513671875

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/how-to-treat-my-horses-thrush-27863/

Note: Never use an iodine solution stronger than 2 percent as this is extremely caustic.)”

https://scootboots.com/blogs/blog/how-to-treat-thrush-in-horses-hooves

“

• Apply common anti-thrush treatments such as formalin, chlorine bleach, phenol, povidone iodine or other caustic solution topically to the affected area.
  
  

 

[paddy555]

Iodine is caustic and drying.

what I have never understood about iodine is that if it is so dreadful why would surgeons use it on people.

 

[Fieldlife]

what I have never understood about iodine is that if it is so dreadful why would surgeons use it on people.

AFAIK it’s a good disinfectant that cleans surgical sites. Cheap, easily available. Half vet hospitals seem to use hibiscrub and half iodine for this purpose.

Both are drying to skin tissue, both remove all the good and bad microbes.

Maybe in surgical sites the infection risk outweighs the fact it’s not good for skin tissue?

 

[sbloom]

It's also a one-off usually, treatment for thrush is far from one off usage. We hibiscrub on our dogs skin once a month or so and it's brilliant, but any more than that and it would dry it out and make him more, not less, allergic. Same thing.