What is thrush?

I am sure you have all heard of equine thrush but what is it? Well its a bacterial infection of the frog, the thing with this particular pesky bacteria is that it is anaerobic, this means it needs an environment that is lacking in oxygen. It is characterised by a foul smell , with a grey discharge usually found in the central sulci (cleft) of the frog. Usually accompanied by atrophy (shrinking) of the affected tissue. 

It is commonly accepted that poor stable condition's are the main cause of this particular infection, poorly maintained beds that are wet and dirty create the perfect environment for this bacteria to reproduce, while I am not saying any of that isn't true, it is also found in horses that are well looked after with maintained hygiene standards. So poor hygiene isn't the only cause. 

The frog, especially on shod horses is difficult to keep clean, its also difficult for the frog to clean itself due to the lack of contact with the ground. Horses that work on stony ground are also, in my opinion, more prone to thrush and here's why, stones or flint can be sharp and will often cut the outer layers of the horny frog, these small fissures develop into larger ones that harbour dirt creating the perfect environment for thrush to take hold, especially if the frog is small.

Thrush itself isn't too serious a problem provided its treated in a timely manner. If left untreaded or allowed to take hold it can create havoc in the hoof eventually causing lameness, Far worse is possible though, in severe cases it can cause sheared heels. Sheared heels is a structural breakdown of the heels causing them to move independently, basically the infection eats down into the deep frog and causes the internal frog arch to break, usually causing one of the heel buttress's to displace proximally. A visit from the vet, a period of box rest and some surgical farriery is usually the cost to your bank account, as well as a fair bit of worry and lost days riding. Even worse than that though is the increased risk of canker. Canker is your worst nightmare, wrapped in horror and despair, canker and thrush are different things but its believed that the thrush weakens the frog health and tissue allowing the more dangerous canker to take hold. Now canker doesn't just affect the frog, it has the ability to attack and consume any area of the hoof, as farriers, we often find ourselves chasing it around the foot thinking we have got it, only for it to burst out somewhere else. Canker can prove fatal if it spirals out of control and treating it is difficult.

Take home message.

Treat thrush early, as soon as its discovered, its relatively easy and cheap to treat. Effective treatments can kill the infection in a matter of days. I have tried many different treatments to thrush but find Hydrogen Peroxide the best. The Nourished Hoof's own Thrush Assassin is a hydrogen peroxide treatment that will clear up thrush within a few days if treated early, The peroxide is stronger than you can usually purchase in shops and chemists so always wear gloves and avoid direct contact with skin & especially your eyes. Our peroxide formula massively increases oxygen levels in the frog, making it impossible for the bacteria to survive, stopping the problem in its tracks. Its called Thrush Assassin for a reason!

So if your ever in any doubt, get your farrier or vet to check and act quickly to minimise your horse from further, more serious problems.