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  Discussion on Chronic thrush...possible causes?
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 20, 2000 - 12:07 am:

I have a 25+ year-old gelding who has a very stubborn case of thrush. I've used Thrushbuster on him, and the condition improves for a few days, but then returns before the week is out. Could any of the following be the cause of his condition?

1. Stall -- the barn owner puts down a layer of shavings, with several inches of straw on top...the manure is taken out everyday, but the urine-soaked shavings under the straw are taken out only once a week. She says the straw protects the horses from the wet shavings.

2. Feet cleaning -- I'm at the barn 5x week, and he is used for a lesson by the barn owner once a week, so his feet are cleaned out 6 days a week. Could that one day off be the culprit?

2. Weather -- he is out during the day, but he tends to stay on high ground. We've had a lot of rain lately, but the thrush had been a problem long before the monsoon-like weather we have been having this summer.

3. Age -- are older horses more susceptible to thrush?

Any insights would be very welcome. Thanks!

Posted on Sunday, Aug 20, 2000 - 10:37 am:

I think all the above are factors for increased problems with thrush. Until well I suggest you remove the straw, pick the stall daily including wet spots and you do not turn out unless the ground is bone dry. See the article for other specific recommendations on treatment.
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 20, 2000 - 11:21 am:

DrO,
Thanks for the quick response. I can't do anything about his age, but I'll certainly tackle all the other fronts! Thanks again.

Posted on Friday, Dec 15, 2000 - 12:04 pm:

I know I'm responding to this rather late (I just joined). My guy had persistant thrush even in the dry summer months turned out all the time in dirt paddocks. I would pick his feet twice a day, and used everything from Koppertox, Thrushbuster. The only thing that barely kept it in check was bleach. Then I realized he didn't have thrush when I first bought him and he was on Farriers Formula (I'm really not big on supplements). I put him back on it and eventually the problem disappeared. I tried other (less expensive, e.g. Farrier's Magic) products, which performed okay, but eventually went back.His feet are beautiful. Andrea

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2001 - 9:24 pm:

Is there any relationship between the use of bellboots and the persistence of thrush? My 18 year old has bar shoes on his front feet, and my farrier suggested he wear bell boots (loose) when turned out and (correct size) when ridden to prevent interference from dislodging the bar shoes. My vet says bellboots contribute to the persistence of thrush, but my farrier says he never heard of this theory. I can find nothing in the literature on this. Does anyone know?

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2001 - 11:00 am:

For the bottom of a bellboot to be low enough to attempt to protect the bar of the shoe, it really has to land on the ground. When my farrier insisted on bellboots for turnout and in the stall, I would find moisture on the inside of the bell and overly moist heels and pads. Inactivity of the horse exacerbated the situation (he was laid up). I noticed that the bellboot formed a little terrarium by catching the moisture from the stall or ground and trapping it. Thrush immediately became a huge problem until I took off the boots. I'm sure salamanders and polliwogs would have grown under there if I left them on longer!
It seems the bar shoe owner has to trade off shoe protection versus thrush risk - both serious issues. I think someone should invent a ventilated bell boot.

Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2001 - 9:25 am:

Thank you, Mary. This is the first time I have seen any confirmation of a bellboots--->thrush relationship. Your idea of ventilation is an excellent one. I am going to try a hole punch on an old pair of boots and see if I can establish ventilation without compromising boot integrety. Will let you know.
Pam
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