Copper Sulfate soak

[tambenson]

Can anyone explain how do i soak the hoof w/copper sulfate? The farrier gave me some crystals but I have never done this.

Can I pack the copper sulfate between the bulbs?

[Phil Armitage]

I do not know much about Copper Sulfate, but I have never heard of or read anywhere about Copper Sulfate Soaks, I would be very cautious about doing that. I know it is used now and then to prevent thrush, however I do not know if it causes any problems. I have used it in very small amounts (pinch between thumb and index finger) on the frog under pads to prevent thrush. I was told by others to only use small amounts. I am assumeing that Copper Sulfate could be harmfull if improperly applied. It is used to in the agriculture world to remove roots, tree trunks and kill algie in ponds, so it is pretty strong stuff. Do not let it get on your skin, inhale it or get into your eyes. Not trying to scare you, just thougt I would let you know what your dealing with.

Hydrogen Peroxide, White Lightning/White Vinigar soak is a good way to safely kill fungus and bacteria in the hoof. Letting air get to the bottom of the foot and standing on dry footing for a few days helps a lot. There are other safe thrush products on the market that can be used.

[tambenson]

Thanks Phil,

I am hesitant to use it. So I will stick to the White Lightning ect.

My horse is underrun and has some thrush. His bulbs are REALLY sore and it was suggested to pack the bulbs with a small amount. I will move to plan B

[Phil Armitage]

What about putting shoes or a bar shoe on, getting his bulbs off the ground and protected. If you do not want to put shoes there are other options like applying impression material and foam blocks with tape, just like we do with foundered horses. This will get the sore area away from the ground and you can apply the Solepack under the pads to prevent thrush and stuff. You can also apply Medicated Pine tarr to the bulbs and frog with shoes or barefoot. There is a product called Sole Pack hoof dressing it is medicate pine tar. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, also helps relieve pain and harden up the soft sore areas in the frog and bulbs. It will also act as a good moisture barrier in muddy wet footing. Safe to use and can be applied every day if you need to. Acts as a good moisture barrier in wet seasons and adds moisture in dry seasons.

[Red Amor]

G,Day Guys

Ive been useing copper sulphate for many years as a treatment for seedy toe and thrush

once seedy toe is excaveted the hole pat filled with copper sulphate and the plugged with a wad of cotton wool and stockholm tar works brilliantly
a 10% solution of sopper sulphate and warm water soak and a regualr scrub up with such will work wonders
Have the Farrier trim the frog
clean up the stables and yards sprinkle copper around floor and renew stable bedding and you will find this will work

this wash is very good on canker as well and mud fever or greesey heel

[wrightdanes]

I just watched a program - Dirtyiest Jobs, where a farmer runs his dairy cattle through a copper sulfate foot bath every day. Looked like 10-15 pounds of sulfate to 50 gallons of water? One issue with copper sulfate is that is not something you want to go down a drain into a city sewer system - it's a great bactericide and will kill the bacteria in the poop ponds.

[Rick Burten]

I do not know much about Copper Sulfate, but I have never heard of or read anywhere about Copper Sulfate Soaks,
Sure you have. Its called, Koppertox :o :)

Rick

[Tom Stovall, CJF]

Phil Armitage in brown

I do not know much about Copper Sulfate, but I have never heard of or read anywhere about Copper Sulfate Soaks,

Rick Burten in gray

Sure you have. Its called, Koppertox

The active ingredient in Koppertox is copper napthenate (aka, copper naphthenate), not copper sulfate. Copper napthenate is widely used in industry as a wood preservative.

Copper sulfate soaks are fairly common around dairy barns. The causative agent of both foot rot in cattle and thrush in horses is Fusobacterium necrophorum, so a CuS bath might not be a bad idea for a horse barn. :)