Thrush is a common problem in equine hoof care. The result of less-than-ideal environmental conditions coupled with poor hoof hygiene, thrush can range in severity from causing mild discomfort during hoof picking to outright lameness

As persistent as it can be, thrush is simple — if not easy — to treat. When applied correctly, over-the-counter topical medication will treat most cases of thrush. When good management strategies are employed, most horses will overcome thrush with no lasting effects.

What is Thrush?

According to Lydia Mudd, DVM, CF, of Janssen Veterinary Clinic in Cicero, Ind., thrush is a common hoof infection that may be caused by a variety of bacterial or fungal pathogens.

“Studies have been done where they’ve tried to culture and see if there is one specific pathogen that will grow, but it’s always a mixed population of microbes,” Mudd explains. “There’s not one bacteria or fungus we can look at and say is solely responsible for causing thrush.

“The clinical signs and the way the infection progresses are very similar regardless of the specific bacteria or fungi,”…