Q: What is the best way to deal with thrush?

A: Thrush is a bacterial/fungal issue, and the main cause is poor hoof hygiene. Contributing factors include poor stable management, especially dirty and wet beds, and not regularly picking the horse’s feet out. Other factors can include poor hoof conformation, such as more upright, boxy feet and deep clefts in the frog.

Thrush is caused by anaerobic bacteria (which thrive when there is no air) and fungi, so cleaning the feet and opening the tissues to oxygen helps to stop the disease in its tracks. For this reason, the best way to treat thrush is to pick out your horse’s feet twice a day and improve stable management. Similarly, regular farrier visits are a must to ensure that the hooves are kept healthy and do not overgrow. You can also try various sprays and medications as prescribed by your vet or farrier.