With all the rain we have been having in certain areas, you are likely struggling with some wet and downright muddy areas. Continuous exposure to moisture can leave the horse more susceptible to a range of hoof and skin issues. Here we focus on the hoof problems that can result under these challenging conditions. The problem Hooves…
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…
Contracted heels are problematic for several reasons: They can lead to atrophy of the internal structures of the hoof, which are necessary for support and correct functioning of the entire hoof. Contracted heels also affect the health of the frog tissue. Contraction can lead to the blood supply to the frog's corium being compromised,…
Q: My horse has just recovered from a bad case of thrush. My farrier has advised that I look at his diet, as well as some other management issues. I can understand the concerns about management, but I’m not sure what role diet could have played in this? A: We are learning all the time about…
Q: What exactly is thrush? A: Thrush is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the frog. It is often associated with wet and dirty bedding, poor hoof management, inadequate trimming, or shoeing with pads that have trapped dirt and moisture. Thrush is commonly noticed due to the unpleasant odour it produces and the black discharge that is…
