I’ve been treating Apollo for thrush now for a few weeks. In that time, he has become much more sound. Apollo can now trot soundly with or without using his Renegades. I am still, however, using hoof boots on him whenever I work him. He is still growing some bruising out. This has admittedly slowed our progress down.
Here are a couple of before and after photos. The second photo shows the same hoof with the thrush treatment mixture that I have been applying for the last several weeks. Sometimes I will apply it once a day and other times every second or third day.
I know we have more to work on! I’ll cover some of those things on individual posts as we go.
I’m still getting the hang of taking useful photos. (clearly I need to improve on this)
This does show the improvements that the thrush treatment have made in regards to the large cracks.
Here are my top tips for preventing thrush:
1) Pick up and remove manure daily
2) Clean out your horse’s feet as needed
3) Keep your horse moving, turned out, etc. as much as possible
4) Treat when needed with thrush treatments
5) Nutrition (this is a huge topic by itself)
Curing Apollo’s thrush was an important step. It will take time, yet I am happy so far with the results.
Treating Apollo’s thrush is an overall management program.
Some horses with more severe or different types of infections may need to be treated with different treatments.
This is what I have been using as a topical to help heal the thrush. Keep in mind that this is in addition to doing all of the things in my above list.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound jar of 40% zinc oxide (I haven’t seen any difference between name brand and generic other than $$)
- 1 or 2 tbsp of copper sulfate powder
- Gloves (the zinc oxide is okay to touch but try not to get the copper sulfate on you)
- Toothbrush or syringe
I usually divide the zinc oxide in half and put in a second container. Then I mix them up with the copper sulfate separately. This way I can keep rotating them as they need refilling.
I also have been using zinc oxide powder which will really help to reduce the cost for those that are looking to save a few bucks. You can purchase the copper sulfate and zinc oxide powder online from Amazon. Edited to add: I have been using water to mix with the zinc oxide powder. You can also use additional ingredients to suit – such as lanolin, oil, petrolatum, glycerin, etc.)
An old toothbrush will work well to apply and push the mixture into the frog sulcus and any cracks in the heel or back of the frog. You can also use a syringe (just no needles, please!) or your gloved finger to help push the mixture in if the cracks are deep.
If you use the zinc oxide powder, you can experiment with how thin or thick to make it. This may vary depending upon the time of year. I like it to be slightly thinner in the winter so that it is easier to get deep into the cracks and crevices. In the summer, when it is hot, then mixing it a little thicker may work the same way. .
We have also been concurrently working on several of the other issues with Apollo’s hooves and overall management. We are making progress one small hoof step at a time. Stay tuned for more updates on Apollo’s transitioning to barefoot progress.