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www.vetnpetdirect.com.au | 11 ground, like a sawdust filled stable, while the bruise heals and you can soak the foot in warm water and epsom salts to aid in drawing the bruise out. Your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatories to help reduce the pain and swelling. uThrush Thrush is caused by either a bacterial or fungal infection, or a combination of both. This infection causes a black gooey and bad smelling discharge usually found around the frog. If left untreated thrush can cause frog and heel sensitivity developing into lameness. Thrush is most commonly found in horses that are kept in wet, dirty and muddy conditions as these are ideal conditions for the bacteria to thrive. Keeping the feet dry and clean is a must and a veterinarian or farrier will be able to advise on a treatment method depending on whether medications are required or trimming the infected tissue away. uWhite Line Disease / Seedy Toe White line disease, also known as seedy toe, is a condition caused when bacteria and/or fungus enter the hoof through a crack, puncture or hole. It then causes separation of the hoof wall as the infection eats away the hoof and results in the hoof becoming white and crumbly. It can cause lameness but not always and sometimes brittle, dry hooves can be signs of white line disease. It is important to treat white line disease as soon as possible as if it does spread up to the coronet band it can cause the coffin bone to rotate. Diagnosis and treatment should be undertaken by a veterinarian or farrier. Generally treatment involves cutting away as much of the affected hoof as possible and exposing the area to oxygen which will kill the bacteria or fungus responsible for the damage. The cutaway exposed area must be kept clean so that more bacteria or fungus don't get into the hoof. If your horse does present with lameness you should contact your veterinarian for advice. Hoof conditions need to be correctly diagnosed by a veterinarian or farrier so that the correct treatment methods can be undertaken. "No Hoof, No Horse" is a very common saying around the horse world and it's true. As horses are unable to lie down for long periods of time they are constantly on their feet. Therefore it is essential that they have healthy hooves to be able to support themselves and maintain overall health and well-being. There are a few hoof ailments that can create trouble for horses hooves and their overall well being. Discussed in this article are some of the common hoof problems faced by horses, the causes and the treatment options. uAbscess An abscess is when an infection occurs in the lamina caused by bacteria, usually developing after a puncture wound or trauma to the sole. An abscess often results in sudden onset severe lameness, heat in the hoof, sometimes swelling in the lower leg and it will be painful when pressure is applied to the site of the infection. Once the abscess is located it needs to be drained, which often involves puncturing the abscess (by a vet or farrier) and then drawing the infection out, using epsom salts and warm water and/or covering with a poultice. The site of the abscess and the hoof should be kept bandaged and clean until it heals. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics may also be prescribed by a veterinarian to reduce the pain and reduce the chance of another infection developing. uBruises Bruises on the frog and sole of horses feet are a common ailment. Horses suffering from a bruise can show varying degrees of lameness, sometimes only sensitive on hard ground or on direct contact with the bruise. Some bruises are visible on the sole but these often aren't visible until days after the injury. Bruises are usually caused by the horse stepping on something hard like a rock or hard uneven ground. Most bruises will clear up within a couple of days however some do develop into an abscess. If possible keep the horse somewhere with soft H o o f H a s s l e s

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