Questions about thrush?

Question

1- Can thrush spread from horse to horse

2- Can thrush infect the tendons if left untreated for a long time?

Answer 1

Thrush is caused by an anaerobic bacteria. That means the organism that causes it does not require air to survive. Organisms like that usually die when exposed directly to the air.

So I would say its unlikely to spread from horse to horse. The infected horse might be leaving some bacteria on the surface of the ground as he walks around, but the air would probably kill it before it gets caught up in another horses hooves.

It can cause more serious problems and even lameness if not treated.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 2

Yes, thrush CAN be spread  from horse to horse.  Thrush is a fungus and is spread thru contact  i.e.contaminated hoof picks contact with ground where infected horse  has stepped, but most commonly from farriers knife. affected frogs must be trimmed to remove diseased tissue, then when the knife is used on the next horse the spores are transferred to healthy tissue and if conditions are right this horse could contract thrush.  This can be prevented by the farrier passing his knife blade thru the flame of the forge (quickly to prevent removing the temper from the knife) or tools that contact the frog can be immersed in full strength bleach to decontaminate them.

Thrush can infect soft tissue as well as bone if neglected.  The earlier the thrush issue is addressed the better the prognosis.

Answer 3

I've been told that thrush can spread from horse to horse (like atheletes foot in humans) but I'm unaware of it causing tendon problems when left untreated.  

  I have seen horses go lame from severe thrush because of the fact that it compromised the frog's ability to provide cushioning, so maybe that can cause tendon problems, but I don't know about it actually infecting the tendon.

  If your horse has thrush that is not bad, try using a bleach and water solution to treat it first (about half and half) then if that doesn't work (which it almost always has on my horses) you can buy Coppertox or another thrush remedy.  

Answer 4

1- Can thrush spread from horse to horse

Yes, it can.

2- Can thrush infect the tendons if left untreated for a long time?

No, but it can rot enough of the hoof away to cause the horse to be lame.