Mud Mud Go Away!

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Spring time has me seeing fresh grass that is beginning to take on a new life, fresh flowers and trees starting to regain their leaves.

(Credit: Google Images)

But in reality we have muddy pastures, with slippery ground as the ground begins to thaw and little grass.

(Credit: Google Images)

Our horses begin to roll in all those tempting mud piles and scratch those itchy coats that are dying to come out! There will always be mud and with the not so pleasant mud comes some not so pleasant messes. Mud is a great breeding ground for nasty bacteria and as horse chicks (and guys), we must be proactive in tending to our horses needs.

I would consider my horse a bit spoiled. He comes in year round. He doesn't grow a thick enough coat for the winter and has a very difficult time with bugs. I find it helpful having him come in to get him out of standing in muck all day and night. The biggest area of concern with mud is your horse's hooves and lower legs - although we must keep the rest of our horses clean as well, especially before riding. The hooves and lower legs are grounds for some potential health problems.

One major concern for hooves is the potential of thrush. Thrush is a bacterial infection in the hooves, that can easily lead to lameness. Early detection of any health problems is always best. Thrush can be easily avoided and prevented by good horsemanship. Thrush concentrates on the grooves on either side of the frog.

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Thrush can advance quickly with many warning signs. A soft, squishy frog can be a sign. Some things to watch out for is a disgusting smell with a possible blackish discharge or your horse may come up lame. Sometimes a veterinarian needs to be called especially in advanced cases. If you catch thrush early it is easy to cure. The hooves must be cleaned out preferably twice daily and a solution applied to the frog area at least once a day. You can use Copertox, a bleach to water solution, or specifically formulated product from your veterinarian. Your farrier should be able to detect the issue, so regular farrier work is important. This can also help you if you are not sure if your horse has thrush or not. 

Thrush is easily prevented by keeping your horse out of dirty and wet areas. It is ideal to have at least part of the pasture dry for your horse to stand on. Bringing your horse in to a well-cleaned stall is also helpful. As well, you should pick out your horse's hooves regularly to get rid of caked-in mud. Your horse will thank you for it!