# Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk): Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — Quick answer. Thrush is a bacterial infection of the horse's frog that thrives in wet, dirty conditions — the giveaway is a foul smell and black discharge in the grooves beside the frog. Pick hooves out daily, keep bedding dry, and ask your farrier or vet to pare away diseased tissue if it persists.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk): Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — What is thrush?. Thrush is a common bacterial infection of the frog — the V-shaped, rubbery structure on the underside of the hoof — and the grooves (sulci) alongside and through its centre. The bacteria involved thrive in wet, dirty, low-oxygen environments, which is why thrush is so common in UK winters and on muddy yards. It is not usually serious if caught early, but according to Horse & Hound it needs addressing: left untreated, the infection can eat deeper into the frog and heel, causing pain and eventually lameness.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk): Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — Signs of thrush. | Sign | What you will notice | |------|----------------------| | Smell | A foul, rotten odour when you pick the foot out — often the first clue | | Discharge | Black or grey moist material in the frog sulci | | Frog changes | Soft, crumbly, ragged or shrunken-looking frog | | Sensitivity | Flinching when the frog or heel is pressed or picked | | Severe cases | Soreness, shortened stride or lameness; bleeding from deep clefts | Check all four feet — thrush is often worst in the hind feet but can affect any hoof.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk): Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — What causes it?. - Wet, muddy turnout and standing in deep mud or soiled bedding - Infrequent hoof picking — packed mud and droppings trap bacteria against the frog - Deep central sulcus or contracted heels, which harbour infection - Poor stable hygiene — damp, dirty, ammonia-heavy bedding - Lack of movement — exercise helps the hoof self-clean and pumps blood through the foot According to the British Horse Society, picking your horse's feet out daily reduces the risk of infections such as thrush — particularly important for older horses, whose reduced immunity makes infections harder to fight off.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk): Horse Hoof Thrush in the UK — Treating thrush. According to Horse & Hound's veterinary advice: 1. Remove the underlying cause — move the horse to a clean, dry environment 2. Clean the feet daily — pick out all packed material and scrub the frog and sulci 3. Pare away dead tissue — a vet or farrier should trim away diseased frog until healthy tissue is reached; do not cut into the hoof yourself 4. Apply a topical treatment — your farrier or vet can recommend an appropriate astringent or antimicrobial product for the severity of the case 5. Keep everything dry — clean, dry bedding and dry standing while the frog regrows Bandaging may be needed if trimming has been extensive. Deep infections that track into sensitive structures need veterinary treatment, not home remedies.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-thrush-uk