I have a 13 yr. old thoroughbred with a chronic thrush problem in one front foot. I have tried the bleach/water mixture. A friend with horses says she puts Icthammol ointment on the hoof and covers it to draw out the thrush and dry it out. Is this a good remedy? LB, Nebraska

Dear LB,

The important thing to understand about thrush–an infection of the frog that results in black smelly discharge–is that until the underlying cause is diagnosed and corrected, the infection will keep coming back no matter how it is treated. That’s because thrush isn’t so much a problem of a dirty environment attacking a horse’s hoof as it is a problem of a horse’s hoof not being healthy enough to resist infection.

As long as a horse is sound, trimmed properly, and provided exercise and turnout, the natural cleaning mechanism of his hooves should keep thrush and other conditions at bay. But chronic lameness, improper hoof care, and too much stall time restrict the hoof’s ability to self-clean. The conformation of some horses’ hooves can set them up for thrush too. Deep, narrow grooves (sulci) on either side of the frog are built-in traps for dirt and moisture and do not have much exposure to air—conditions thrush-causing microorganisms thrive in.

I encourage you to work closely with your farrier and veterinarian to diagnose why your horse’s one front hoof is so prone to thrush then come up with a plan to correct it. It may take the better part of a year to grow a healthier shaped hoof, but the results will be worth it: no more thrush and no more daily medicating!

In the meantime, any number of antiseptic or astringent products should keep the thrush at bay while you’re treating the underlying issue. There are many commercial products available such as Thrush-XX, Thrush Buster or Thrush Remedy. Your healthcare team may recommend a homemade recipe that contains ingredients such as iodine, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. While some farriers and veterinarians use poultice or hoof packing as drawing agents, I have not heard of using ichthammol on the hoof for thrush. However, I don’t think it would hurt anything. Just please don’t use any caustic substances like bleach or formalin because these may do more harm than good near sensitive structures of the hoof.

About Dr. Lydia Gray

Lydia F. Gray, DVM, MA SmartPak Staff Veterinarian and Medical Director Dr. Lydia Gray has earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a Master of Arts focusing on interpersonal and organizational communication. After “retiring” from private practice, she put her experience and education to work as the American Association of Equine Practitioner’s first-ever Director of Owner Education. Dr. Gray continues to provide health and nutrition information to horse owners through her position at SmartPak, through publication in more than a dozen general and trade publications, and through presentations around the country. She is the very proud owner of a Trakehner named Newman that she actively competes with in dressage and combined driving. In addition to memberships in the USDF and USEF, Dr. Gray is also a member of the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association (IDCTA). She is a USDF “L” Program Graduate and is currently working on her Bronze Medal. Find Dr. Gray on Google+