Early Signs of Horse Hoof Rot

Horses' hooves are prone to several problems. Hoof rot, or canker, is a serious condition that can cause damage to the hoof wall or lead to lamanitis if not taken care of immediately. Though canker can be unpleasant to deal with, it is fairly simple to treat with products from a tack store or veterinarian. Recognizing early symptoms will help you treat the infection.

  1. Early symptoms

    • Examine your horses' hooves frequently for any signs of infection. Since canker is caused from living in dirty, wet conditions, check and clean the horses' hooves at least once a day if you live somewhere where it rains often. The most telling symptom is a foul smell emanating from the horses' hooves. Discharge from the frog, or the padded area on the bottom middle of the hoof, is another tell-tale symptom of a canker infection.

    Thrush and Canker

    • Thrush and canker are often confused with each other, but if your horse has a rotting hoof associated with canker, you don't want to treat it for thrush. Thrush is isolated specifically to the frog, while canker can spread to the entire hoof. If you're unsure whether the infection is isolated in the frog or if it is more serious, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian. However, lameness is a good indicator that something is wrong with the entire hoof.

    Treating hoof rot

    • Most of the time, infections caught early can be treated with medications available in tack stores. These medications come with a brush so the medicine can be brushed on over the infected area. However, some infections grow larger before they are noticed. If this happens, you'll likely need to make a trip to a veterinarian. In severe cases, your horse may have to undergo surgery to remove damaged tissue, followed by therapy so the horse can learn to walk easily on the hoof again.

    Prevention

    • Hoof rot can be easily prevented. Keeping your horse in a well-ventilated stall in a barn with clean hay is ideal, but if you have to keep your horse outside, maintain the stall stringently. It is important to rake away droppings and cover the stall with at least a small shelter. Your horse needs a dry, clean place to stand when it is not being ridden or trained. Check hooves each day and clean out any debris wedged under the shoes or in the cracks of the frog.