Comments on: Hoof Tougheners and Thrush Prevention

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:06:52 +0000

Great tips. My barefoot trimmer also recommended a product (the generic version actually) called “Tomorrow” that is used for drying up milk udders after feeding. They are in tubes and I just squirt into thrushy areas and rub in. Seems to do the work and it’s about $13 which should last you a couple of years!!
I like the Cider vinegar idea and may try that!
Thanks

By: Robert H. Sydnor, M-AERC

Robert H. Sydnor, M-AERC — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:09:39 +0000

In the context of thrush, I have seen lots of riders clean the frog carefully, then place a rubber medicine boot over the hoof, then pour a small quantity apple-cider vinegar into the medicine boot so that the hoof is about 1/4-inch full of vinegar. The medicine boot is kept on for several hours while the vinegar soaks into the frog and the the lower portion of the hoof is hydrated. The medicine boot keeps out dirt while the horse is able to move freely around the paddock. After a few hours, the medicine boot is removed and a mild case of thrust is usually killed in an ambient manner.

By: Tobey

Tobey — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:45:54 +0000

Cool beans. Do the beats help? I got lectured for rasping out flares and accused of breaking down the hoof wall, but if I don’t get the flares out she chips and splits. I went to farrier school, so maybe the lady griping just did not want me to blame her since my horse is in her care right now and got an infection and they had to cast the hoof. She only told me three months later. go figure. Says she is growing in now, but I had not touched her feet in over six months. No problems when I was taking care of her flares every day.

By: Karen Chaton

Karen Chaton — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:53:29 +0000

Hi Cindy – sure thing, give me some time to get some photos. Maybe I can find some other horses that have laid over bars to show that as well. I think we are due for snow for a few days here…at least it’s not the heavy rain like some parts of California are getting. Karen

By: Cindy Collins

Cindy Collins — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:55:29 +0000

Thanks, Karen. Very helpful, as ever. I don’t think I understand “bars” and “bars laying over” very well. You are so good at explaining things, can you explain what the horse’s bars should look like and what is good and bad?