Rain Rain Rots hooves away!

I live in Southern California, it is constantly sunny and almost too dry to live in!  Once a year though, we have a downpour of rain and this causes more issues than I can say in the equestrian world!  Not only do the rings, trails, and stables flood causing it to be near imposable to ride for 3 days after a storm.  It also creates it to be a perfect environment for the wonderful world of Thrush! 

Thrush is like athletes foot for horses, donkeys, and any hoofed animals.   It will slowly eat away at the hooves and is a pain in the butt to get rid of!  Once you feel it is going away, somehow it rains again and your horse is standing in a wet stall for the night! 

There are some simple easy ways to get rid of and prevent thrush in your beloved animal!  Before you try any of these remedies, make sure that you use a hoof pick and clean out your hooves at least twice a day!  (I do it as often as possible since I jump my horses and hoof health is vital!...plus, how would you like walking around with wet socks on running a marathon!) Hoof Pick With Brush Assorted Colors.

One simple remedy to stop Thrush, is the store bought type.  You can go to your local Tack Store and purchase some Thrush Buster, 2 oz.  This works great on thrush but also has a tendency to dye your hands and clothes!  So always sport latex gloves!  This works on mild Thrush and can be used often but not daily.  It can dry out the hooves and this will cause issues down the road. 

You can also soak your hooves in a mixture of granulated sugar and iodine.  It is a perfect remedy for a horse whose hoof is super bad (they start to smell!).  You can purchase a hoof soaker bag, which tend to be expensive, or you can use a gauze and ducktape bandage.  Pack the sugardine in the hoof and cover with gauze (4x4 works great) quickly cover with ducktape (I make a square grid with the tape about 5"x5") and secure with another piece.  Be sure not to get the top of the hoof or the skin.  This can cause irritation. Leave the bandage on overnight, and in the morning pick out the hoofes. 

A preventative procedure is to mix water and bleach into a squirt bottle.  Once your horses hooves are picked, then spray the hoof and frog area.  Make sure that the hoof is saturated but that no bleach is pooled in the stall or crossties.  This can be done about once a week, to prevent drying out. 

There are other preventions and cures for Thrush, but just remember to keep your horses hoofes clean and dry throughout the rain and you will have a smooth ride.