What is Thrush?
Thrush is a bacterial or fungal infection of the hoof, caused by;
Anaerobic Bacteria such as Keratonolytic – (keratin dissolving) and Fusobacterium necrophorum.
Or Fungus;
Spherophorus neaophorus
How will you know if your horse has thrush?
Well, the most obvious signs will a foul-smelling black discharge in one or more clefts of the
frog, the frog will also be softer to the touch and there will be excess frog tissue growth.
Your horse may also present with mild to severe lameness or permanent lameness in really
severe cases of thrush.
If left untreated thrush can cause severe infection that can spread to the deeper hoof
structures, such as the digital cushion, hoof wall and the bulb of the heel. This will lead to
disintegration of the horn and your horse may be in pain when this area is palpated.
Why do horses develop thrush?
In our modern world horses are stabled for long periods of time. The soiled and wet
bedding, creates the perfect environment for the anaerobic thrush causing bacteria and
fungus to thrive.
Thrush can also be caused by poor hoof care. If horses’ hooves are not picked out daily,
particularly stabled horses then the compacted muck doesn’t allow the hoof to breathe and
this then creates the right conditions for anaerobic bacteria to thrive.
Horses that are turned out in wet, muddy pasture for a long time, can also develop thrush,
as the hoof wall will soften. Or if your horses live out then their hooves are constantly wet
don’t have the chance to dry out.
Infrequent farriery and letting the hoof become overgrown, so that the frog and bars almost
meet. Will increase your horses’ chances of getting thrush.
Poor foot conformation also plays its part in horses developing thrush. Horse with deep frog
clefts and poor hoof conformation – such as horses with long narrow feet, that are prone to
contracted heels are more likely to develop thrush. This is because contracted heels, make
the clefts narrower and therefore less able to breathe! Again, creating the right conditions
for anaerobic bacteria.
Horses with poor immune systems are more likely to contract thrush as the hoof quality will
be compromised.
How do we treat thrush?
For horses that have mild thrush where their hooves are slightly smelly with only a small
amount of black discharge, pick out their hooves twice a day and spray with EndoSan 3. The
EndoSan will fizz while it treats the anaerobic bacteria or fungus that causes thrush. If
possible, hold the hoof up until the fizzing has stopped.
If your horse has medium levels of thrush, where their hooves are very smelly with lots of
black discharge and they have excess growth of their frog tissue and the frog has softened.
Then call your farrier to come and remove all dead and damaged tissue from around the
frog, to expose healthy tissue. Again, pick out and treat your horses’ hooves twice daily with
EndoSan 3 spray or more if you can.
For horses with severe levels of thrush in their hooves, which will be with very smelly, with
thick black foul-smelling discharge. When you pick out the grooves and clefts of your horses’
hooves the hoof pick will go in further than it should and your horse will exhibit pain when
the frog and heels are palpated, they may also be lame, with swelling of their lower leg. At
this stage we recommend seeking veterinary advice.
It is really important to know, that Thrush will not clear up on its own and if left untreated it
will only get worse!
How can we prevent thrush?
Firstly, look at and alter the environmental conditions, a change in bedding for example or
more frequent mucking out. Then during the winter for those that can’t be turned out, give
your horses as many opportunities to move outside their stable as possible, whether it be in
a turn out pen, walked in hand, breaking the riding into two sessions a day, or going on a
horse walker. Pick your horses feet out daily and spray once or twice a week to prevent
thrush. You may need to treat your horses’ hooves with EndoSan 3 more often if your horse
is prone to thrush.
If your horse lives out, is there somewhere where they could regularly come into, or stand,
to allow their hooves to dry out? They will also need their feet picking out and spraying
regularly with EndoSan 3.
How does EndoSan 3 work?
EndoSan 3 is a stabilised hydrogen peroxide disinfectant and it works through an oxidisation
process.
A typical bacterium naturally emits a negative charge, which attracts EndoSan to it. EndoSan
disinfectant penetrates the catalase protein cloud that the bacterium releases to protect
itself, unlike other disinfectants which are repelled by this protective mechanism.
In catalase producing bacterium the presence of EndoSan inhibits the production of
catalase, allowing the powerful free hydroxyl radicals to attack the cell membrane and enter
the bacterium to destroy it from within.
Once these free hydroxyl radicals penetrate the membrane and destroy the bacterium it no
longer emits a negative charge, allowing the hydroxyl radicals to move on to the next
bacterium to repeat the process. The bacterium is destroyed giving it no chance to resist or
replicate itself.
Or to put it more simply anaerobic bacteria cannot live in an oxygenated
atmosphere!
EndoSan 3 is a veterinary grade product and has been tested to treat the bacteria and
fungus that cause thrush.
