Strahlfäule bei Pferden Titelbild

Equine Thrush in Horses

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

Thrush is a common bacterial infection of a hoof’s frog. The responsible bacterium is home in damp environments, such as mud or wet bedding. Long exposure to this environment can cause the infection. The bacterium invades and destroys the frog of the hoof, which can end up exposing the deeper sensitive tissues. Low heel syndrome can increase the chances of Thrush.

Symptoms of Equine Thrush in Horses

  • Sensitive
  • Soft and Crumbly
  • Foul Smell
  • Frog atrophy
  • Cracks
  • Black Discharge
  • Deformed
  • Response to hoof tester
  • Irregular Gait
  • Reluctance to put weight on one leg

Common in

  • Rain
  • Hurricane
  • Flood

Treatment of Equine Thrush in Horses

Affected horses should be moved to a dry and clean environment. The hoof should be cleaned and the necrotic tissue removed from the frog, dilute iodine solutions should be used daily. This routine should be kept until the hoof has fully healed and the bacterial infection is gone. If the horse is not vaccinated against tetanus, tetanus antitoxin should be administered.

Prevention of Equine Thrush in Horses

Regular mucking (especially with messy horses), hoof care and clean, dry conditions around the stable can prevent thrush.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse’s abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Google Play
App Store

Related articles

Corns in horses' hooves are painful bruises or calluses that form between the sole and the wall of the hoof, often resulting from pressure or trauma, particularly on hard or uneven surfaces.
Hoof Diseases

Corns in Horses

Corns in Horses Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. A corn is a bruise that forms between the

White line disease in horses is a fungal or bacterial infection that affects the inner layer of the hoof, causing separation between the hoof wall and the underlying structures
Hoof Diseases

White Line Disease

White Line Disease in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. White Line Disease is caused by the invasion

A bruised sole in horses is a condition where the horse's sole (the bottom part of the hoof) becomes tender and painful due to trauma or injury, often resulting in inflammation and discomfort.
Diseases

Bruised Sole in Horses

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

A bruised sole in horses is a condition where the horse’s sole becomes tender and painful due to trauma or injury, often resulting in inflammation and discomfort.