Prevent Hoof Thrush in Your Horse

If your horse has smelly feet, he might have hoof thrush. It’s unclear whether thrush is caused by fungus or bacteria, but it thrives in the hoof’s underside where there is dampness, little oxygen, and often a tightly-packed mass of dirt and manure.

It’s harmless in its early stages, but can cause damage to the hoof and even lameness if left untreated. The condition often gets worse when the weather is wet.

How to Detect Thrush

If you find a black, moist substance with an unmistakably foul smell when you clean out your horse’s hooves, then she has thrush. Chances are it will be hiding in the deepest parts of the cleft. You can scrape it away, but it will leave dark staining.

How to Avoid Thrush

There are several things you can do to avoid a thrush infection in the first place:

1. Remove manure, spoiled hay and dirty bedding from your horse’s stall and keep the areas he frequents clean and dry.

2. Clean your horse’s hooves regularly to remove any manure and damp dirt. This allows air to reach the affected areas and keeps your horse’s foot drier.

3. Try Farrier’s Finish Hoof Disinfectant and Conditioner to keep your horse free of hoof thrush. You can use it once a week in wet environments or once every two weeks in dry environments to prevent thrush.

4. Regularly trim your horse’s hooves and properly shoe her. These actions prevent the deep clefts where thrush hides.