09/13/2024
Your friendly reminder that I am still here, and I still see you, and I know if you've been sleeping, I know if you're awake, I know if you've treated thrush or not, so treat it for goodness sake!!!
I am so annoyed hearing, "I've been treating the thrush, but it's not improving!!" So let's ask: have you REALLY been treating it?
Sure. There are a lot of factors here. They include, but are not limited to, turnout/environment, bedding, diet, workload, the weather, maybe even the stars aligning right. But at the end if it all, it comes down to your time and efforts.
Let's keep in mind that thrush is an infection. Thrush can cause *lameness/pain*. Lameness/pain can cause *behavioral issues*. It's not just a "smelly" thing. It's much bigger than that.
Moving on!!!
I did not see the this horse when his thrush was so bad it was bleeding. However, the first two pictures were a few days after my client began treating the horse... you know, when she bought him, got him home and picked his feet, and they bled during routine hoof picking.
I shod the horse for the first time shortly after the July pictures were taken.
I gave her my suggestions as to how to treat this level of thrush. It was her time. **Daily** time. I should really ask my client how much time this consumed daily, and then over all: I'm sure it was several hours over a few weeks. It was materials (topicals, soaks, vet wrap, duct tape. Probably coffee... Maybe not enough coffee 🤔)
And if I had to guess: it was frustrating.
Anyway. Here we are. 2nd shoeing with me now, and I literally was using a TORCH to get through the hooves because they were so hard (this is why my knife work looks shady. I am fairly confident whittling a statue from concrete with my knife would have been easier than getting through his feet today!!)
Don't tell me "you've been treating the thrush" when you haven't taken my professional advice. And if, IF you have, and if, IF it's not improving: it's time to get the veterinarian involved. Yes. Get your veterinarian involved!!!! Antibiotics could very likely be needed if there is no improvement.
I want to go get a trophy for this client for her efforts... but I think the positive changes we have seen in her horse's behavior and hooves is probably enough of an accolade for her ♥️
