Treating thrush in Hooves

Hi all

Our pony has got thrush in her front hooves. I've been treating it with violet (purple) spray and it is clearing up, but am wondering how others deal with this.

She is a 'good dooer' and as such can't be left in the (5 acre) field for too long, which means we have to stable her (with rubber matting).

Strip grazing isnt an option as they go through the electric fence, and she can't be left with a head collar (and grazing muzzle) as she will trash it in a very short time.

Any suggestions as to help manage the thrush is welcome.

I've used this before (from Pete Ramey's website). It worked great.

Added 5-22-07
For years I've searched for the perfect thrush medicine. Most products that kill the fungi and bacteria also kill living tissue; contributing to the problem. I use a 50/50 mix of Triple Antibiotic Ointment and Athletes Foot Cream (1% Clotrimazole) (for humans; over the counter at any pharmacy). I mix it thoroughly and put it in a 60cc catheter-tip syringe (available from any vet) (The syringe may well be more important than the cream, as it allows deep penetration to the core of the problem). Mix the products in a Tupperware bowl, then spoon in or 'top load' 15cc with a butter knife. I have my horse owners treat deep into central cleft daily until no cleft is present. No need to squirt it all over the frog; just a pea-sized dab at the very bottom of the central sulcus. To date, I've seen it eliminate deep, sensitive central frog clefts in 100% of cases within 2 months. (A first, with every treatment I've ever used, though past experience tells me we'll never find a product that works on every case in every environment.)

Koppertox

Apple Cider Vinegar mix 50/50 with water and spray on regularly. Pick out her feet at least once a day, or as often as possible, to expose the foot to air, this will help a lot, and a good trim that provides some frog stimulation (without cutting away healthy frog tissue in a routine manner). Cutting frog material beyond flaps that hold more poo/mud in can weaken the frog and make it more apt to get thrush. Ground contact not only helps to toughen the frog with callous that fights infection, but also can help shed the dirt more easliy when the horse moves.

I don't recommend koppertox, or any of it's knockoffs, or bleach. Anything that contains harsh chemicals is likely to destroy healthy tissue and make the problem worse in the long run.