Thrush is one of the most common hoof diseases and definitely requires treatment. Untreated thrush can lead to lameness, open wounds, hoof deformations, and in the worst case, to canker. The earlier the earlier this hoof disease is recognized and treated, the faster and better it can be treated. thrush can be treated without harming the horse.
What is thrush in horses?
Thrush is a bacterial disease of the hoof in which the frog horn slowly, also in symbiosis with fungi. It mainly affects the frog clefts and is usually caused by a combination of poor stall hygiene, moisture and prolonged shoeing periods. and excessive shoeing periods.
Recognizing thrush – identifying typical symptoms early
Signs of thrush are a soft, even greasy horn that begins to dissolve. Muddy and rotten and rotten areas, deepening frog clefts are the result, often accompanied by an odor reminiscent of rotten eggs. As the frog clefts deepen, there is often a separation of the bulb in the middle frog cleft.
In addition, cavities, cracks or so-called pockets form on the frog, in which where the harmful anaerobic microorganisms live. The horn turns dark due to decomposition. Also in the lateral frog clefts, the frog loses substance and becomes narrower and narrower. narrower.
Where does thrush occur? – Understanding thrush in the bulbs of the heel
Thrush occurs in both the lateral and central sulci of the frog. Particularly in an already deepened central sulch of the frog, germs are shielded from light and air, which further accelerates the thrush. From the central frog groove, the thrush can migrate upward to the bulb and even cause greasy heel on the skin of the pastern.
It is characterized by the separation of the heel bulbs into two halves. Once the thrush has worked its way up into the bulbs of the hoof, a healed thrush usually leaves a scar in this area, even though the infection has been removed.
Recognizing early signs – What to do when thrush is beginning
Initial measures for cleaning and drying
It is always advisable to pick and dry-clean the hooves thoroughly every day.
Furthermore, great importance should always be placed on good stable and paddock hygiene. At the onset of thrush, a suitable product such as Keralit Frog Liquid or Keralit Undercover should also be applied immediately. Early action against thrush is always rewarded, and the problem can usually be resolved in its early stages.
Decision-making aid: Treat thrush or wait and observe?
Thrush quickly develops to a stage where it can maintain itself. Waiting would therefore only make the situation worse, whereas a few applications of a suitable care product would be enough to get acute thrush safely under control if action is taken in good time. For a more in-depth look at the causes, risk factors and preventative measures, read our further blog post on thrush.
If the thrush is already advanced with purulent inflammation, lameness, deep holes/cavities in the frog area, or proliferating frog horn, a veterinarian or farrier should be contacted immediately.
Treating thrush – Explained step by step
Daily care and proper grooming technique
With thrush-treatment the correct cleaning of the frog beforehand is extremely important for the success of the treatment. If thrush medicationis appliedonly on a layer of dirt consisting of decomposed horn and bedding the treatment is usually unsuccessful or takes a very long time, as the product cannot reach the core of the infection.
First of all, the hooves should be thoroughly pickd out. Make sure that the hoof pick does not have any points or sharp edges, as these could increase damage of the already damaged, softened frog or the frog dermis. After scraping, it is advisable to clean the frog dry using a wooden spatula and a small piece cloth or compress.
Alternatively, you can also use a popsicle stick and a dry cloth (as tear-resistant as possible). For cleaning, the compress is then placed around the wooden mouth spatula and wiped through the grooves (see illustrations below). The compress is repeatedly placed around the spatula with a different side so that dirt that has already been removed is not brought back into the frog clefts. The Frog furrows are wiped out until no more dirt remains on the compress. This removes some of the germs.
Applying thrush remedies correctly – What matters
In order to successfully apply care products for treating thrush, prior dry cleaning is very important. In addition, the case at hand determines which product is ideally suited. The consistency of the product plays an important role here. For horses that are kept outdoors a lot are kept outdoors and therefore often often have wet hooves, a sticky paste is much more suitable than a liquid product. A liquid product cannot be optimally absorbed by hoof horn that is already wet.
For hooves, which are largelydry, a liquid product is suitable for hooves that are however very well, as this moisturizes the deep the bottom of the frog clefts after cleaning after cleaning. Keralit offers the liquid Keralit Frog Liquide and the paste Keralit Undercover for every type of thrush and type of posture the right solution. The products can also be used in combination to benefit from the advantages of both. to utilize both. Cutting out the frog more frequently also significantly improves the situation, as light and air can then reach the affected areas and the care products can be applied more effectively.
Thrush in horses – home remedies: What actually helps?
If thrush is discovered, home remedies can initially provide some relief until a suitable product has been obtained. For instance, vinegar and tea tree oil have have a certain antibacterial effect, but do not remain on the hoof for long. Another complicating factor with tea tree oil is that it is an essential oil that evaporates quickly and then no longer has any effect. Some horses even have an allergic reaction to it.
A zinc ointment can also help in hygienic and dry conditions by having an additional drying effect in the frog clefts. However, these household remedies are usually not sufficient for the treatment on their own, as their spectrum of action is too small and they usually only help for a very short time.
How long does thrush treatment take?
Duration and healing process – Depending on the severity
The duration of treatment depends heavily on how deep the damage has already progressed, particularly in the central frog cleft. In the case of mild to moderate thrush, consistent treatment will result in a significant improvement after just a few days. The damaged frog areas then grow back quickly and healthily.
In severe cases of thrush, the duration of treatment depends on how advanced the damage to the frog horn and the horn-producing sensitive frog dermis already is. Additionally, in cases of prolonged horn damage, substance loss and the resulting change in hoof shape hinder rapid healing.
The altered hoof shape, usually a narrowing hoof, can restrict the hoof mechanism , which in turn hinders blood circulation in the hoof and the self-cleaning effect.
The prevention of active rotting processes works with the appropriate care products within a few days, but the renewal of the frog horn until the frog has completely grown out takes approx. 6 to 9 weeks. The treatment should be continued stubbornly for this length of time. Complete regeneration of the hoof and its shape, on the other hand, takes considerably longer. It requires intensive care with special corrections by an experienced farrier/hoof trimmer. This aspect emphasizes the urgency of immediate treatment when thrush begins.
How do I know the treatment is working?
Treatment success is easy to determine based on various factors. Outwardly, improvement is recognized by the frog becoming firmer and drier again. The frog horn no longer looks mushy or porous. Furthermore, the foul odor and the horse's sensitivity during picking and cleaning also subside.
What should be fed in case of thrush?
Fundamentally, thrush cannot be treated using feed supplements, as the grown horn is not connected to the blood circulation and therefore cannot be reached by nutrients and medications. However, providing the horse with optimal nutrients and minerals, such as biotin and zinc, is always helpful and supportive in the treatment of hoof diseases so that high-quality and healthy horn can be rapidly reproduced.
Checklist for the prevention of thrush
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Hooves daily, pick out thoroughly
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keep the box/paddock as clean and dry as possible
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regular visits from the farrier or hoof care professional
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the Keralit frog Liquide or the Keralit Undercover apply once a week as a preventive measure
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about thrush in horses
What is the most effective treatment for thrush in horses?
In order to treat thrush effectively, good stall and paddock hygiene should be ensured and the hooves should be kept as dry as possible. In addition, daily, thorough scraping, daily dry cleaning of the frog clefts and the correct application of a suitable care product are important. care product is important.
Does vinegar help to fight thrush?
If at all, vinegar essence is suitable, as it is more acidic than normal vinegar and, unlike wine vinegar, which is intended for consumption, contains no sugar. The sugar is disadvantageous because this deliversnew food for the thrush germs. However, the spectrum of action of vinegar is very limited. Therefore, treatment with vinegar essence is rarely sufficient. Vinegar essence is also highly irritating, which can lead to redness and skin reactions on contact with the horse's skin.
Can thrush be treated with toothpaste?
Treatment with toothpaste makes little sense, as it can only slightly dry out the thrush under dry and hygienic conditions. Like vinegar, toothpaste is water-soluble and is rinsed off immediately when the hoof comes in contact with water.
Can zinc ointment be used to treat thrush?
Zinc ointment can be used as part of the treatment as it promotes wound healing and covers wound areas.Zinc ointment alone is not sufficient against the germs causing the wound.
What happens if thrush is left untreated?
If thrush is left untreated, it can lead to larger wound areas and hoof abscesses in the frog region. Lameness is the consequence. Untreated thrush quite quickly leads to a loss of substance in the frog horn and can thus result in a permanently altered hoof shape. The regeneration of the hoof and its shape then takes a very long time and requires intensive care with specific corrections by an experienced farrier or hoof care professional. Untreated thrush can even lead to canker. Canker is a severe and very complex hoof disease to treat.