TREATING HOOF INFECTIONS
Fungal infections in the central cleft of the frog can cause sensitivity. With a sore frog the horse will move with a toe first hoof placement, instead of the correct heel first placement. This causes long term problems with foot development, as the back of the foot needs stimulation to develop. Improvements in hoof health and soundness will be limited while an infection is left untreated.
A healthy frog - the central cleft is open.
A deep, infected central cleft.
A ragged, flaky, infected frog.
The central cleft is very deep under flaky layers of frog material.
Fungus and bacteria
can also be a factor in white line disease and hoof cracks.
TREATING THE INFECTION
1. Treat the infection by soaking the feet.
Various products can be used: zinc sulphate solution (eg. golden hoof – footbath for sheep), apple cider vinegar (50:50 vinegar to water), Milton (diluted as instructions on bottle), hibiscrub, white lightning (www.atlantic-equine.co.uk), clean trax (www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk). I’ve listed the cheaper, easier to get hold of, options first. It’s worth beginning with these and trying the more expensive products if the infection proves difficult to clear up.
Soaking can be done using a bucket (the shallow rubber skip type are safe – don’t use a bucket with a handle that could become caught on the leg) with enough solution to cover the hoof. Or easier (though take care getting your horse used to them) are soaking boots such as the easysoaker (below), or a strong plastic bag.
2. Clean out the central cleft.
If the frog has a deep, tight central cleft, soaking will not clean into the depths of the crack, and fungus and bacteria survive there. The central cleft of the frog needs to be cleaned with gauze and the same solution as used for soaking. Work the gauze to the bottom of the crack with a hoof pick. A syringe (no needle) can be used to flush out the crack with the soaking solution. The crack can then be filled with cotton wool coated in sudacrem. This makes the area inhospitable to fungus and bacteria. Other anti-bacterial and anti-fungal products are also effective. Regardless of the product used the key to success is getting the product right down into the bottom of the cleft. Just spraying the surface of the frog will not be effective, the fungus and bacteria will be safe in the moist, anaerobic depths of the cleft. After a couple of weeks, change to cleaning the cleft with plain water to allow a population of “good” bacteria to establish.
Above left: the monoject curved tip syringe is ideal for flushing out deep central clefts, and getting your product of choice right down to the bottom. I havn't been able to find a UK supplier of these syringes and have to import them trom the USA.
With a hoof wall crack scrub the crack with the soaking solution before soaking, so that as much dirt is removed as possible allowing the solution to penetrate deeper. Then smear or spray on your product of choice, working it into the crack as much as possible.
The most important thing is to be thorough. Treat the infection daily and make sure you get right to the bottom of the central cleft.
3. Keep horses environment as clean and dry as possible.
Fungus and bacteria thrive in moist conditions. If your horse lives out on boggy land, provide an area of hard standing where he can get out of the mud, or bring him in for part of the day so his feet can dry out. If he is stabled for part of the day provide a clean “snowflake white” shavings bed. However, fungus and bacteria can thrive in dry conditions too.
4. Stimulate growth of healthy tissue by encouraging a heel first landing.
This can be done by protecting the sensitive back of the foot with boots and pads. Or by keeping the horse on a very comfortable surface like pea gravel. Exercise also stimulates faster wall growth, helping to grow cracks and separation out faster than bacteria can cause damage.
5. Feed a low sugar diet.
Fungus (yeast) thrives on sugars. Reduce the sugar content of the diet by cutting out molasses and cereals, and reducing access to lush grazing.
6. Check diet for mineral deficiencies.
Fungus infections have been linked with copper deficiency. Forage testing is relatively inexpensive and will identify mineral deficiencies, excesses and imbalances. A bespoke supplement can then be created. If this is not feasible a quality mineral supplement such as the Equimins range is the next best thing. Or if cost is an issue a combination of linseed, brewers yeast, seaweed and magnesium provides a good range of minerals.