Thrush - Type of Hoof Rot
By Vanessa Fisher
Another name for hoof rot is pododermatitis. Commonly found in horses as well as goats, sheep and cattle. In this article we will focus on the horse and address the disease in more detail.
A type of hoof rot found in horses is thrush. This is characterized by black necrotic (dead) tissue in the affected area caused by pathogens found in yards, stables or pasture. These pathogens thrive in wet or decaying material such as mud and manure, decomposing bedding material and the like.
The most common pathogen which causes thrush/ hoof rot is Fusobacterium Necrophorum. These organisms like dark, damp, airless environments, and the deep cleft of the frog (part of horses hoof) make an ideal location. If the hoof is usually pact with dirt, mud or manure, lack of air next to the frog and constant moisture work together to make a perfect situation for them to flourish.
Therefore it is most important to keep your horses hoof clean and dry to prevent hoof rot disease such as thrush. These are all caused by the same environment conditions which allow for these diseases to develop and flourish.
In the early stages, there is merely some dark coloration of grime around the frog or in the spots along the white line, and of course the accompanying bad odour. If the condition has reached lameness, you need to seek the advice of your farrier.
Your main aim will be to reduce microbial contamination in sensitive environments.
Other types of hoof rot is rain scold and mud-fever.
