Thrush?

Is there a distinct disagreeable odor? Is the area soft, flaky or pasty when you pick the hoof out?

coppertox and keep in dry area if you can

Based on my experiences with thrush, your problem sounds like something different. Can you provide a picture?

I think the photos in the text have to be posted on the net first.

You are the 2nd person to complain about posting photos, you have done it successfully before, so if you have further problems let me know, it may be a remnant of the switch over to a new server.

As far as the foot, have you had a vet look at it? We may have a lot of experience here, but some of mine comes from having my vet educate me to what I’m looking at.

I have found spots in the frog where bacteria can get trapped in the frog, causing puss, etc, but very little pain, which clear up quickly when cut open and drained.

However, if it is an abscess it could be at the early stages. It may also just be the result of a puncture wound from a branch working in the woods this winter.

Hope you can post the picture.

Carl

hi George, I think there may be more than one way, and mine not be the “right” way but I don’t us the “insert image” or “insert Link” , I use the paper clip above “attachments”. That way I can go find the file instead of of entering it’s HTTP. I use the “insert link” when I want to connect folks to photos in my web album, though. Thumbnails are ok. They open the minute some one clicks on them. Donn

This picture is a bad example. I picked it at random and after I saw it I remembered a whole group of photos That a friend sent me that are compressed and never open very big. Good luck. Donn

Well, George, that’s definately a belgian style foot:D! Looks to me like he is bulked up too much in the frog so you are getting some separation in the central sulcus, which is a terrific location for thrush and other microbes to play house. The rest of the hoof looks very healthy. I would trim (or have your farrior trim) down the excess frog abit at its base so that it is level with the heels. This will alleviate some of the pressure on the area and is better in general for overall balance. I really like cleantrax for these deep crevises but its a pain to apply. White lightening is also a great product, but you will have to get it down in the crack, then perhaps a layer of desitin to keep the mud out. Of courrse photos are sometimes misleading, so take my comments with a grain depending on what you are seeing.

Are you bringing them in at night? You might consider standing him in shavings for part of the day or night to dry the area out.

Good Luck.