Chances are if you spend time with horses you’ve probably encountered this pesky infection in their hooves. It’s not a case of if you’ll see it but more likely when and what treatment you’ll choose to eliminate it and prevent its reoccurrence.
What is horse thrush?
Thrush is a commonly occurring hoof condition resulting from fungi and bacteria infiltrating the horse’s frog and adjacent collateral sulci, deep grooves on either side of the frog. In more severe cases it may also infect the hoof’s sensitive layers, white line, and sole. The infection produces a black discharge with and foul odor which can cause lameness in severe cases.
Identification
It typically presents as black pasty debris found in the medial sulcus (frog) and collateral sulci, deep groves adjacent to the frog, though may also be present in the sole, white line, and sensitive hoof layers.
Depending on the degree of infection the horse may exhibit no lameness or pain, or in more serious cases there may be pain and/or lameness upon hoof structure palpation.
If you have any questions about identifying or treating the hoof infection and keeping your horse’s hooves healthy, be sure to consult with your equine veterinarian and farrier.
Why Corona® Hoof+Shield™?
Manna Pro is pleased to announce Corona Hoof+Shield, a non-caustic, non-staining horse thrush treatment and prevention spray.
This efficacious and safe formula has an easy-to-use trigger spray bottle, allowing for optimal saturation control and targeted application to reach the deep clefts of the horse’s frog.
Hoof+Shield is proven effective with a once-a-week application but is safe to use daily if needed.
Corona Hoof+Shield is powered by Microcyn® Technology, a safe, pH balanced antimicrobial solution that is free of harsh chemicals.
The solution is formulated to heal damaged hoof tissue, unlike some commercial or home remedy formulations containing caustic ingredients, which may clear the infection while killing healthy hoof tissue as well.
With Corona Hoof+Shield, there is no need to wear gloves for application; it is safe on skin and will not stain your hands or barn.
Before and after treatment photos from the product testing research show unhealthy sole with the dark and damaged frog next to the healthy hoof where thrush is removed and returned to healthy and clean:
Fun Facts
Any horse can get the infection
Contrary to commonly held horse world beliefs, the infection knows no season and may present even in the most pristine of horse environments.
Horses with limited daily movement are more predisposed to the condition
Many veterinarians agree though that horses with limited daily movement, such as those stalled or in small paddocks, are more predisposed to acquire the infection.
Both bacteria and fungi are involved
The bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum is often cultured in affected horses though other anaerobic fungi and bacteria may also be involved.
The horse’s hoof structure and associated movement provides natural cleansing.
With normal motion, when a horse’s weight is brought upon the limb, continuous changes in the hoof’s structure prevent material collection in the hoof’s bottom that can eventually cause thrush.
The solution, combined with good hoof management practices, helps reduce irritation from bacteria and fungi causing thrush.
Many common treatments contain caustic ingredients that can damage hoof tissue and/or delay healing.
There are many commercially available and home remedy treatment options. It’s important to choose a safe product that supports healing and doesn’t cause irritation and damage to hoof tissue.
Unsafe chemicals and substances include:
Copper sulfate, bleach, turpentine, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, petroleum-based tar, motor oil, axel grease, pine tar, and bacon grease.
