Does Thrush Make a Horse Lame?

[Kim Olson]

Hi Everyone,

I have a horse who has been barefoot since I've owned her--about 1 1/2 years. She's never been lame or had any lameness issues until Saturday. She came into the barn, limping on her front left. She is limping at the walk. No heat or swelling. We hosed her down and cleaned her hoof to find a small amount of what seemed to be thrush--black stuff--in the clefts. There was not much discharge. We treated her with what we had on hand--thrush buster, I think it's called. It's a one-time treatment.

Sunday she was no better, no worse. I am waiting to see her tonight but wonder if a horse with thrush would go lame like this. We've had wet, muddy weather for over a week. Other than the lameness she seems fine--no temp or anything, and she's eating. I also wonder if she may be abscessing but have no clue how to discover this.

I guess I wonder if I should be doing something or just have a wait and see attitude. She's out during the day and stalled at night.

Thanks in advance! :)

Kim

[Mike Ferrara]

Thrush can make a horse lame...but I haven't seen it very often and I've seen some with frogs that look like swiss cheese.

I'd look into it further. I went and looked at a horse this weekend that was two legged lame (that's where they have two feet they don't want to step on. The vet told the owner that the little horse (comming yearling) was lame from thrush. I didn't see any thrush. In fact, the frogs were very clean.

The owner said the thrush is gone now. The horse shouls be walking then, right? The horse still can't walk and I know what I think it is but I requested more vet involvement.

[Kim Olson]

Thank you, Mike. I saw a small amount of improvement last night and again this morning. However, if she hasn't improved much more, I'll call our vet by tomorrow morning. She is still limping. We pressed all over her sole last night and she didn't wince until we pressed on her frog. I have a farrier coming out near the end of the month, but feel a vet should see her sooner, just in case I'm missing something. Still no heat or swelling.

Thanks again,

Kim