I can think about plenty of proverbs, axioms and sayings concerning horses, one suitable to this subject is, 'No Hoof, No Horse'.
One of the conditions that may force a near no hoof situation is thrush. This condition can be very distressing for the horse, as it makes it absolutely impossible for the pony to walk without experiencing agony. The irony about thrush is that it is preventable and as such, shouldn't be occurring with the type of frequency that is generally seen. I'd go so far as to assert that no responsible pony owner should let thrush afflict any of their horses at any point. Thrush is catching, and as such can quickly spread from one afflicted pony in a herd to the rest of the horses, and to humans interacting with those horses. There's no agreement on the duration for which thrush bacteria can survive off their horst, but the popular belief is it's about 10 months. If your horses get stricken with thrush, remember the condition can spread to you and other human beings too , so exercise great care while treating and looking after your afflicted horses.
It isn't a tough task recognizing the condition. It manifests as a clay-like build up around the frog. It is black n colour and has a horrible smell. The cause is a sort of anaerobic bacteria (the kind that can get by without oxygen). This bacteria is abundant in much of dung and mud, and if it is permitted to stay in the horse's Hooves will cause disease characterized by great discomfort. Though wet bedding is not a primary cause, it can inspire the start of the condition.
Sadly muddy conditions are not always avoidable. They are potential deadly for a horse's hooves. They render hooves and heels soft, so making them at the mercy of bruises, apart from thrush. Extended exposure to wet conditions and bacteria makes for the best environment for thrush bacteria to flourish. In essence, a pony is at considerable likelihood of contacting thrush if its hooves are exposed to damp conditions. Thrush bacteria flourish most in soil and this means that horses standing around in slushy conditions are really vulnerable. If you've come up against circumstances where you haven't got any choice but to expose your horses to such environments, be extremely alert to the state of your horse's hooves. No matter how much effort or time it takes, clean them out as often as your are able to.
Common sense rules horse hoof care, which is a rather easy process. A primary task in hoof care is to utterly clear out all deposits including mud, stones and manure from your horse's hooves. Sadly, all too many horse owners don't pay enough attention to this most essential aspect of equine medical care.
Nonessential foreign objects build up in a horse's hoof subjecting the soles to avoidable pressure; this pressure could cause bruises, abrasions and cuts that are excellent conditions for the onset of bacterial conditions like thrush. When you're in the habit of cleaning your horse's hooves every day, you will be able to spot any anomaly immediately. You need to pay extra attention to horses with narrow and upright feet as also to horses with hoof clefts that are deep, because they trap more foreign matter and are rather more at the mercy of diseases like thrush, even when they are regularly cleaned.
Even though it is simpler to make out thrush at more advanced stages, not only because of the smell, it is not so simple to catch it in the initial stages. The most sensible way is to consult your farrier or vet if you see the slightest cause for concern. Regular hoof trimming by a professional farrier goes a good distance towards stopping and controlling thrush.
There is no great difficulty to treating a pony for thrush, provided he stands still long enough for you to attend to his affected hooves. You start by cleaning the hooves out totally employing a brush and hoof pick. Then you apply the recommended thrush treatment all around the frogs and the undersides. While you use bleach sprays, they have to be handled with great care. It's miles better you get your vet or farrier to prescribe an appropriate treatment. Actually , you shouldn't even try and treat advanced cases of thrush infection unless you have first consulted your vet or farrier. Carry the treatment through till you are positively and 100% sure that your horse is cured. Do Not neglect the need to maintain total cleanliness while treating your horse: keep yourself safe from infection.
One of the conditions that may force a near no hoof situation is thrush. This condition can be very distressing for the horse, as it makes it absolutely impossible for the pony to walk without experiencing agony. The irony about thrush is that it is preventable and as such, shouldn't be occurring with the type of frequency that is generally seen. I'd go so far as to assert that no responsible pony owner should let thrush afflict any of their horses at any point. Thrush is catching, and as such can quickly spread from one afflicted pony in a herd to the rest of the horses, and to humans interacting with those horses. There's no agreement on the duration for which thrush bacteria can survive off their horst, but the popular belief is it's about 10 months. If your horses get stricken with thrush, remember the condition can spread to you and other human beings too , so exercise great care while treating and looking after your afflicted horses.
It isn't a tough task recognizing the condition. It manifests as a clay-like build up around the frog. It is black n colour and has a horrible smell. The cause is a sort of anaerobic bacteria (the kind that can get by without oxygen). This bacteria is abundant in much of dung and mud, and if it is permitted to stay in the horse's Hooves will cause disease characterized by great discomfort. Though wet bedding is not a primary cause, it can inspire the start of the condition.
Sadly muddy conditions are not always avoidable. They are potential deadly for a horse's hooves. They render hooves and heels soft, so making them at the mercy of bruises, apart from thrush. Extended exposure to wet conditions and bacteria makes for the best environment for thrush bacteria to flourish. In essence, a pony is at considerable likelihood of contacting thrush if its hooves are exposed to damp conditions. Thrush bacteria flourish most in soil and this means that horses standing around in slushy conditions are really vulnerable. If you've come up against circumstances where you haven't got any choice but to expose your horses to such environments, be extremely alert to the state of your horse's hooves. No matter how much effort or time it takes, clean them out as often as your are able to.
Common sense rules horse hoof care, which is a rather easy process. A primary task in hoof care is to utterly clear out all deposits including mud, stones and manure from your horse's hooves. Sadly, all too many horse owners don't pay enough attention to this most essential aspect of equine medical care.
Nonessential foreign objects build up in a horse's hoof subjecting the soles to avoidable pressure; this pressure could cause bruises, abrasions and cuts that are excellent conditions for the onset of bacterial conditions like thrush. When you're in the habit of cleaning your horse's hooves every day, you will be able to spot any anomaly immediately. You need to pay extra attention to horses with narrow and upright feet as also to horses with hoof clefts that are deep, because they trap more foreign matter and are rather more at the mercy of diseases like thrush, even when they are regularly cleaned.
Even though it is simpler to make out thrush at more advanced stages, not only because of the smell, it is not so simple to catch it in the initial stages. The most sensible way is to consult your farrier or vet if you see the slightest cause for concern. Regular hoof trimming by a professional farrier goes a good distance towards stopping and controlling thrush.
There is no great difficulty to treating a pony for thrush, provided he stands still long enough for you to attend to his affected hooves. You start by cleaning the hooves out totally employing a brush and hoof pick. Then you apply the recommended thrush treatment all around the frogs and the undersides. While you use bleach sprays, they have to be handled with great care. It's miles better you get your vet or farrier to prescribe an appropriate treatment. Actually , you shouldn't even try and treat advanced cases of thrush infection unless you have first consulted your vet or farrier. Carry the treatment through till you are positively and 100% sure that your horse is cured. Do Not neglect the need to maintain total cleanliness while treating your horse: keep yourself safe from infection.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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