The Danger of Thrush Infections in Horses

Wild Hoof Equine • January 25, 2025

Thrush is an anaerobic bacterial infection that can cause an array of issues. Often the frog is the primary victim, though the central sulcus can be a forgotten area of attack. The central sulcus is the top/center of the widest part of the frog (at the back of the foot). Central sulcus thrush can create a “butt crack” appearance. This infection can be very painful for the horse and can even alter their landing to avoid impact on infected tissue. Landing may switch from the ideal heel first landing, to flat or toe first landings (which comes with its own myriad of biomechanical issues).

Such ambulatory/loading changes can alter heel growth (e.g., contracted heels, shown below), the overall perfusion of blood through the distal limb, caudal foot health, and the spiral continues. 

These infections can be quite insidious, and can seep into the sensitive tissues, as well. It’s not uncommon for the internal structures, such as the frog spine (or frog stay) to be compromised due to infection progression. 

Learning to recognize thrush and taking proactive steps to mitigate such infections is a great move towards maintaining your horse’s soundness, health, and comfort.

Some Treatment Options


Soaks:

Vetericyn Hoof Soak 

White Lightening soak  (the gel is great, too)

EasyCare’s Clean It  


Topicals: 

Artimud: dress the frog generously, as you would condiments on your sandwich. This works great as treatment (can be done daily) and prevention (few times a week).


Silvetrasol Thrush Ender  is a great spray formula that allows you to get all the small fissures and tissue insults. Apply as directed on bottle for initial treatment (typically a 2 week protocol to get ahead of the infection). If your horse has a central sulcus infection, simply place the nozzle head on the central sulcus and spray – this ensures getting deep into the infection. After the initial protocol, I encourage clients to follow-up with artimud or Silvetrasol Hoof and Wound as a safe step-down treatment after thrush ender. 


Hoof Healing Clay is an all-natural, hand made clay which comes in a nozzle bottle for easy application to all infected areas. 


Wild Hoof Equine Recommendations

I recommend irritating the infected areas with diluted chlorhexidine prior to treatment application. 


But what about the purple or green stuff? I recommend the aforementioned products due to their non-caustic properties. There is a place for most products, though I’ve found most thrush products can be very drying and damaging to the healthy tissue. This can create microinsults to the hoof which often allows for bacterial reinfestation. 


Other things to consider: if your horse is struggling to combat infections, despite appropriate topical and soaking protocols, it’s recommended to speak with your vet about the possibility of immunocompromising diseases, gut issues, and perhaps imaging (radiographs). And of course, check that their menu is appropriate for their needs and CLEAN (excess starch and sugar can weaken the immune system). *WHE is an advocate for forage based/species appropriate diets. 


*WHE does not receive benefit from promoting these items – I just really like them because they work. 


In Summary



  1. Learn to identify thrush
  2. Treat it with a soak (EasyCare’s Clean It, Vetericyn Hoof Soak, or White Lightening) and/or topicals (artimud, thrush ender, silvetrasol, hoof healing clay) 
  3. *all products linked above
  4. If it won’t go away with proper protocols, speak with your vet to see if your horse may have an immunocompromising disease or gut issues. 
  5. Check their diet (excess sugar can weaken the immune system). 


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A close up of a person holding a horse 's hoof

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By Wild Hoof Equine • January 14, 2025
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