Harsh chemical products and rough cleaning can damage already sensitive tissue. Bleach – diluted (roughly a 1/10 ratio) in bucket of water for hoof soaking or for squirt-bottle irrigationįor frog infections deep in the central sulcus, it is important to treat this area gently and to nurture healing. Borax – dissolved in gallon of water for hoof soaking – used similarly to the ACV/water. Lysol – 2 oz diluted in one gallon of water for hoof soaking – used similarly to the ACV/water. Soaking feet every week is helpful to counter developing fungus. This is a mild solution that can be used as a concentrated daily treatment for tough problems and for routine hoof health management. Apple cider vinegar mixed with water (50/50 ratio) for hoof soaking or for squirt-bottle irrigation. Commercial products (i.e., White Lightning or Clean Trax) – the basic idea is mixing the product with white vinegar to create an off-gassing treatment that is contained in a close bag around the hoof. When the damaged white line is stretched and more porous, it is easy for foreign material, dirt, fungus and bacteria to invade and create compounding problems. Laminitis can be a primary factor that may lead to white line disease as a secondary problem. Metabolic and immune system problems can contribute to hoof fungal infections. Pea gravel is especially helpful in creating a supportive footing that dra ins well and is easy to pick out.Ĭonsider any systemic influences that may be contributing to the problem. Horses need clean, dry ground to stand on. Wet, muddy, manure-laden areas are especially linked to the problem of hoof infections. It is worth examining environmental factors that may be contributing to the problem. Foot wraps or boots may be needed to protect the sensitive areas while they heal. If the infection is in the frog, the farrier should carefully remove any dead frog tissue so that treatment is more effective. If the infection is in the hoof wall, it is important to have your farrier remove as much of the undermined hoof wall as possible to allow air to contact the area and to enable treatment products to reach the infected site. Keeping the feet trimmed regularly so that the hoof walls do not become physically stressed and weakened is also essential. ![]() Daily cleaning and use of the chosen treatment is often a key to success. Whatever treatment method you choose, it is important to be consistent. If you and your hoof-care provider discover white line disease and/or frog infection, many treatment options are available, including commercially available products and home remedies. The infection thrives in the deep, moist, closed environment and can often cause pain if it reaches soft tissue structures. ![]() Unhealthy and poorly shaped feet can have frogs with a deep central crevice in the back region which harbors anaerobic bacteria and fungi. ![]() Infection of the frog is either thrush or a less recognized infection in the central sulcus of the frog. ![]() This infection is believed to be caused by a variety of opportunistic fungal and bacterial agents. Although infection in the wall is referred to as “white line disease,” it is misnamed in that it attacks the inner layer of the hoof wall rather than the white line. The two most common fungal maladies affecting horses’ hooves occur in the hoof wall and the frog.
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