Thrush

M

magic14

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 January 2013
Messages
100
Visit site
Hi,

I'm still struggling to get rid of my horses thrush, it started to improve and go away with the use of red horse products but then returned.
I feed vits & minerals, protexin acid ease (advised by barefoot trimmer) and it's mixed in with D&H Safe and sound. I researched which chaff to use and this came up quite often. However I've noticed it does seem quite sticky (sugary) and am beginning to wonder if this could be the reason the thrush hasn't gone away completely? Any ideas or am I wrong in my understanding of things?
Your advice is much appreciated.
 
Don't ask me. I do everything possible, restrict grazing, soak hay, feed non sugar balancer, keep feet cleaned daily and I have tried every product I can think off including cleantrax. it gets better and then comes straight back again.

I'd quite like to hear of a fool proof method too.
 
Thrush is a condition caused by bacterial, anaerobic organisms which are sensitive to a fairly limited range of therapeutic applications. Diet will have an influence I suppose, but is not the primary cause - that would be environmental. Try some other remedies?
 
I've been using Kevin Bacons Hoof Solution, along with a good soak and rinse with Keratex Cleansing Hoof and Leg Scrub, I use them alternatively, seems to be doing the trick.
 
magic14 said:
Hi,

I'm still struggling to get rid of my horses thrush, it started to improve and go away with the use of red horse products but then returned.
I feed vits & minerals, protexin acid ease (advised by barefoot trimmer) and it's mixed in with D&H Safe and sound. I researched which chaff to use and this came up quite often. However I've noticed it does seem quite sticky (sugary) and am beginning to wonder if this could be the reason the thrush hasn't gone away completely? Any ideas or am I wrong in my understanding of things?
Your advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...

The diet change takes time - I thnk it took a good 8 weeks after changing from the regular vits/mins supplement to the balanced minerals before I saw a change, and even then it took 4 months before the frogs had returned to normal beefiness and central sulci cracks disappeared.

I used to feed Safe&Sound - I agree it is quite sticky. Now I just feed unmolassed chaff (Halleys) with a handful of Spillers High Fibre cubes - but in the amount you would be feeding the S&S, I wouldn't really expect it to make much of a difference :) The horse will still be eating a small amount of this, and a lot of grass/hay etc.
 
Thank you for your replies.
I've tried so many different things, only the Red Horse Products seemed to make a difference. He's been on a barefoot diet since February so a fair while now.
Dogatemysalad - I feel your pain! I hope you manage to find a way!
Thanks Kenzo, I shall have a look at those, and thanks BrightBay, I'm quite glad it shouldn't make a difference as he's a fussy one when it comes to his chaff!
 
Cortez said:
Thrush is a condition caused by bacterial, anaerobic organisms which are sensitive to a fairly limited range of therapeutic applications. Diet will have an influence I suppose, but is not the primary cause - that would be environmental. Try some other remedies?
Click to expand...
Thrush is actually caused by a yeast and thrives in warm damp conditions like stables and muck- keep feet dry and picked out- stand on clean dry ground as much as possible-stop treating with harsh chemical treatments like cleantrax/hoof solutions/milton/peroxide etc they kill healthy foot cells and all the good protective bacteria too! as well as keeping the feet nice and moist. If not shod-lots of roadwork is good for drying out the feet and stimulating healthy growth. The occasional (once or twice a week) spray with iodine or apple cider vinegar may help. Keep sugar out of the diet (this will take some time to come through to feet though).
 
I use tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil in the sulcus every time I pick out his feet at night. And wash his feet out with lavender wash after each ride. Once a month he gets the purple sheep foot spray. I also use red Horse Field paste in muddy conditions.

I STILL expect to deal with thrush later in the winter. I must admit, I am taking a lot more precautions than I ever have done, as he goes lame so quickly with it.

One thing I DO know - a lot of the time, thrush is not due to bad horse care. It must live way down deep, and when the conditions are right, voila !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top