Hey everyone !
I was wondering if some of you knew a bit about rotten frogs, what triggers it, things you might have learned with experience to avoid it, etc.
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I'm asking because for the 3rd time, Dayka has them again. First couple of times she was in a very muddy, humid field so I wasn't surprised but this time she's in a new field, it's not been raining much, there's no mud or water aside from her drinking water and she hasn't been there long so the ground can't be infested and the field had not been used in years.
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It was really fast too, over the weekend really, on saturday it was fine, I couldn't go on sunday because it was really pouring and on monday a big chunk of her frogs came out, it was black and stinky, no mistaking it :/
I clean her feet everyday so I was really surprised. Hence this topic, maybe there's things I could do to avoid a fourth time !^^
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Fyi (i don't know if that's important), my farrier told me she is sensitive in her front feet, he's been following her since I bought her and says that her feet are sound, if still a bit sensitive, and that he can see improvement already over a year with her. The rotting doesn't go deep and the frogs grow back healthy but if I can avoid it that'd be cool :)
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Thanks in advance !
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Horse Care and Comfort
Understanding rotten frogs
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Oh and I use this to treat it : http://www.decathlon.co.uk/frog-care-id_8367100.html
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It's practically gone already with 3 applications. When she gets this I usually treat her for a full week only on the feet that need it.
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Do you know if there's a risk of resistance of the bacteria over time if it was to be used as a preventive measure ?
It sounds like thrush Lucie. Have a look at some information/research/pictures of thrush and see of that fits for you.
Also a lack of nutrient could be an issue, not that you don't feed Dayka but the nutrient might not be what she needs for her feet.
A mare I look after at the moment had the same issue with her feet, so treated first for thrush as Vicci says, then I use Pink Clay Hooves, http://ecohoof.com/pink-clay-shoes/ It's a clay substance that sticks to the feet putting essential oils into the hoof. Takes about 3 days for the clay to wear off.
Image of the mare on my twitter account https://twitter.com/Equine_MH/status/725781862317101056
First application you notice results, she's now had 3 applications.
Otherwise I also use diatomaceous earth which is rich in minerals for both internal and external use. you can create a paste and apply to the frog and hoof.
Could you post a photo in the FB online uni group??
Mel
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Hey ladies, thanks for your reply and sorry for not answering sooner, work got a bit crazy, than filly got a bit crazy too :/
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Vicci, yeah i think that's it, i'm not sure about the vet terminology, sorry...
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Mel, I had not thought of that factor. You're right, I don't feed her anything other than hay/grass and a ration of grain during the winter. The grass is really rich in my village, laminitis is a real risk so I avoid giving her any supplements but I didn't think about her feet....
I didn't know pink clay, I'll try to see if I can find something similar or order some online. Any chance you know which essential oils are in it ? I already use clay for her legs and EOs in my insect repellant, maybe i can recreate the mix ?
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for diatomaceous earth, do you use it like the clay ? I have some of that that I use as wormer for the sheep, I didn't know I could use it for Dayka too, i'll definitely try :)
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Her feet are healed now, if it comes back i'll post a picture.
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Thanks again
I use diatomaceous Earth in my horse feed everyday, they get 6% of the feed weight ( about 40 grams) in each feed , works wonders for general health, coat, mane, tail, hoofs... The lot.
I do my own egg count tests at home and the results are impressive.
I also throw some in the stalls on top of the straw, it keeps flys away.
I have to buy it from the UK.
I have a really good connection with the seller and can get it at trade for £20 for 25 kg.
Write if you need details of the company, they are just so nice people and delivery too is fast even to Denmark.
Like you Mel, I use it on hoofs and it works a treat.
You can also mix it with water in a spray bottle and use it like a summer spray.
I'm a massive fan of diatomaceous earth and would recommend it to all horse lovers.
Hi Lucy. My mare started up with thrush last fall. Shes 7 now and I never had a problem with this before. It was just one front foot, medium case, then her other.
I bought "thrush buster". Used that and it helped a great deal. Everyday for a week.
Then as a preventive I use bleach mixed with water, everyday. 2 parts water 1 part bleach.
I put mine in a small squirt bottle to make it easy to handle while I hold her hoof up.
We live in a damp area and if there is any mud anywhere in her pastures she will find it, tool in it and of house stand in it.
For her small pen surrounding her open stall we had tons of pea stone brought in.
It makes such a difference for moisture and cleanup.
I hope this helps in some way.
Ronda