Thrush is one of the most common hoof problems — and one of the most rewarding to prevent. Here you will learn to recognise the signs early and build a simple daily routine that keeps the frog healthy all year round.
What is thrush?
Thrush occurs when the horn of the frog breaks down in a damp, oxygen-poor environment. It usually shows as a blackish, smeary coating in the frog grooves with a characteristic sharp smell. The frog can become soft, ragged at the edges and, in more developed cases, tender when you press it.
Why does it happen?
Moisture and dirt are the root causes: wet paddocks, deep bedding mucked out too rarely and ammonia from urine create exactly the environment where horn breaks down. Narrow or deep frog grooves where dirt packs hard, too little movement (the frog needs loading for its own cleaning mechanism) and long trimming intervals increase the risk further.
How to spot it early
Pick the hooves daily and use your nose — the smell often comes before anything else. Look for black, smeary material in the frog grooves, a frog that frays or feels softer than usual, and note if the horse reacts when you pick deep in the grooves.
The preventive daily routine
1. Pick daily — remove all packed dirt, especially from the central groove.
2. Dry ground — muck out often, keep resting areas dry and drain muddy zones.
3. Movement every day — loading pumps the hoof and keeps the frog healthy by its own power.
4. Regular trimming — a well-shaped hoof with open frog grooves collects less dirt.
5. Drying routine care — during wet periods many owners use a drying hoof and frog paste in the grooves as part of the routine, and a pH-lowering spray for a healthy hoof environment.
If the frog is already affected
Intensify the routine: pick thoroughly, keep the horse on dry ground as much as possible and give the frog air. Monitor daily.
Contact your farrier or veterinarian if the frog is tender or bleeds, if the horse goes lame, if the condition goes deep or does not turn around despite good care — deeper cases may need professional trimming and medical assessment.
Routine products for the hoof
In our hoof care range you will find our Zinc paste — a drying hoof and frog paste for wet and dirty conditions — and pH Minus, used for a healthy hoof environment in everyday life.
This guide is general knowledge and does not replace your farrier’s or veterinarian’s assessment of your horse.