When horse hooves have been exposed to a lot of moisture or contact with waste that is moist, it can lead to tyrannosaurus rex infections.If a horse's hooves are allowed to collect dirt and debris, they can get thrush.The telltale dark, black discharge and foul odor make it easy to diagnose.Minor thrush can be treated with some basic care, but more advanced cases will need treatment from an equine vet.
Step 1: The horse should be moved to a dry area.
The first thing to do when treating thrush is to remove your horse from the environment in which it thrives.The thrush is likely to return if you keep your horse in a wet or dirty environment.Whether in a field or a stable, thair is usually developed on damp or dirty ground.It's a good idea to clean out urine and manure on a daily basis.Developing thrush can be caused by bodily waste.Gravel can be spread on the ground.Even if the floor of the stable is damp, this will allow your horse to keep its hooves dry.
Step 2: Take the frog out of the hoof.
The frog needs to be trimmed on your horse's hoof or hooves once they are in a dry area.If you don't know how to trim the frog yourself, have a farrier or equine vet trim it for you.This will allow better air circulation across the hoof, which will improve the chances that the thrush won't return.
Step 3: The hoof needs to be cleaned out.
You're ready to clean the hoof once the affected part of the frog is removed.Cleaning the hoof should become a daily part of your horse maintenance, as it will help prevent injury and reduce the chances of thrush returning in the future.As the horse may be in a lot of pain, and you may have to clean out its hoof, be careful.A hoof pick can be used to pick up larger debris.floss out any debris stuck in the hoof by twisting a clean piece of gauze into a rope-like shape.Use a soft bristled brush to scrub the hooves.Make sure you only use the brush for hooves and that you kill any built-upbacteria with it.
Step 4: An antiseptic can be used to clean the area.
After removing the dirt and debris from your horse's hooves, you'll want to clean the affected area with an antiseptic solution.There are some horse experts who recommend treating thrush.Others suggest using bleach.It is worth noting that harsh chemicals can dry out your horse's hooves, which may make them prone to further injuries.Without the help of your horse's vet, this is the most common way to treat hoof thrush.
Step 5: Take medication for thrush.
The experts recommend using thrush medication to clean the hoof and trim the frog.This can help give your horse some relief from the symptoms of thrush.If you're unsure about whether or not to try medication, it's a good idea to talk to your equine vet about the benefits.If you decide to use thrush medication, squirt it into the sulcus of the hoof, which are the V-like indentations that make up the frog.To cover the medication, apply clean gauze or cotton balls.Use a hoof pick to pack the gauze.For a couple of weeks, change the packing every day.During exercise or riding sessions, you should not have any medication or packing on the sulcus.It could take several months for the hoof to heal.Keep the hooves clean and care for them.
Step 6: The thrush will heal if you use a bar shoe.
If you used a standard horseshoe or no shoe at all on your horse's hooves, you may want to consider using a bar shoe.The frog can regenerate after being trimmed and treated.A horseshoe is a bar shoe.It is usually made of either aluminum or steel.Improving ground contact, protecting the hoof, and stabilizing the foot are some of the benefits of bar shoes.
Step 7: Look at the appearance of thrush.
There is a discharge from your horse's hoof.The grooves on the sides of the hoof's frog may be deeper than normal.A foul odor is one of the most common characteristics of thrush.
Step 8: Look for signs of pain.
You can usually tell when a horse has a hoof problem by how it walks and reacts when you clean it.When pressure is applied to the area, a horse afflicted with thrush will show pain, which may result in limping or even lameness in severe cases.In advanced cases of thrush, the lower limb may swell up.To make sure your horse can fully recover, you will need to treat the thrush aggressively.The hind hooves are more prone to thrush than the front hooves.If you suspect there might be a case of thrush, you should thoroughly examine and clean the front hooves.
Step 9: Your horse will be evaluated by an equine vet.
Most cases of thrush clear up in a couple of weeks with proper care and environmental changes.If the infection has progressed to the deeper tissues in the hoof or leg, there could be permanent damage.If you want to know how extensive your horse's thrush is, you should consult a vet.
Step 10: Your horse should be given some dry footing.
Hoof thrush can be caused by wet and dirty footing.If your horse is kept outside in an enclosure with the ground constantly wet, you should allow it to come into a barn or stable stall occasionally to allow the hooves to dry out.The stables should be kept clean and as dry as possible.On a daily basis, hose down urine from the stalls.Gravel can be spread on the floor of the stable to help your horse stand on dry footing when the ground is wet.You can use wood chips, but make sure you don't use conifers.The wood chips from these trees can raise the pH of the environment, which may promote the growth ofbacteria.
Step 11: The hooves should be kept clean, trimmed, and shod.
You should make sure your horse's hooves are trimmed and shod in order to keep a clean environment.It will help ensure a healthy frog by preventing long heels from forming.Do not attempt to trim a hoof on your own if you don't know how.Your equine vet can help you with your horse's hooves.Pick your horse's hooves.The hoof has two sulches, the central and the collateral.The area under the shoe should be paid special attention to.
Step 12: It's a good idea to exercise your horse.
It is possible to prevent thrush in horses with regular exercise.The hooves can push debris out of the grooves if movement expands and contracts.Even if you can't turn out your horse in an enclosure, hand walking or going for a ride on dry ground can significantly reduce the chances of thrush developing.