How to Treat Thrush in Horses: A Farrier’s Guide to Healthy Hooves

As a farrier, I’ve seen plenty of hooves—some pristine, some a wreck—and thrush in horse hooves is one of the sneakiest issues I tackle. It’s that black, gooey, stinky mess that creeps into your horse’s frog or the grooves beside it. Caused by a bacteria (Fusobacterium necrophorum) that loves wet, filthy conditions, thrush thrives in neglected hooves. Left alone, it eats at the frog, leaves your horse sore, and makes my job more challenging. Practical Horseman’s guide on thrush basics nails it—wet muck and poor hygiene are thrush’s best friends.

Spotting thrush is simple: the rotten cheese smell hits first, then you see the mushy, black gunk. If your horse flinches when you pick the frog or starts limping, it’s time to inspect and treat any signs of thrush—wet stalls, muddy paddocks, or skipping hoof cleaning invite this trouble.

Horse Hoof Thrush Treatment: The Farrier’s Approach

To treat thrush in horses, I start by trimming the hoof, opening those crevices, and cutting away dead, thrushy tissue—less hiding spots for bacteria. Then, it’s all about cleaning and drying. I might suggest a vet visit for bad cases, but the owner can usually tackle thrush and win. Scrub the hoof daily with a wire brush and soapy water—Betadine’s my go-to—then apply the treatment. Keep it dry with a pad, or move your horse to cleaner ground. Consistency beats thrush; half-efforts let it sneak back. The Horse explains why drying is critical—a must-read for serious horse owners.

Home Remedies for Thrush in Horses That Work

Between farrier visits, try these home remedies for thrush in horses using stuff you’ve likely got:

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Mix 50/50 with water, soak a cotton ball, and dab it into the frog and grooves. Its acidity fights bacteria gently. Clients rave about soaking the hoof in a boot with this mix for 10 minutes daily—great for mild thrush in horse hooves.
• Sugar and Iodine Paste: Blend betadine (or generic povidone-iodine) with sugar to make a thick paste. Smear it on, then wrap the hoof with a bandage or duct tape for a day. Iodine kills germs, and sugar dries it out—perfect for stubborn thrush treatment when mud’s unavoidable.
• Baking Soda: Sprinkle it into a cleaned hoof and pack it with a rag. It sucks up moisture and tweaks the pH to slow bacteria. It’s not the strongest fix, but it helps prevent thrush in horses between cleanings.

Prevent Thrush in Horses: Keep It Gone

The best way to treat thrush in horses is to stop it cold. Pick hooves daily—frog and grooves included. Keep bedding clean, pick feet daily, and if mud is an issue, bring sand or gravel to give your horse a dry place to hang out. A healthy frog, trimmed right, sheds gunk naturally. Equus Magazine’s thrush prevention tips back this—routine care wins every time.

Thrush in horse hooves isn’t a crisis, but it’s a pain. Hit it hard with these horse hoof thrush treatments, keep it dry, and your horse’s hooves will ring solid on my anvil soon. Got a home remedy for thrush in horses that’s worked? Share it below—I’m all ears for barn-tested tricks.