Cracked heels. Thrush?

[Scribbler]

No photos, not my horse.

Horse is a well loved senior lady with lots of enthusiasm for walk trot work, has had one badly contracted front foot with chronic thrush after years of mediocre shoeing and is now barefoot with boots and a good trimmer to try to keep her functional as long as possible.

Recently was shown her heel bulbs in her “good” front foot. They seemed completely deflated if that makes sense and deeply fissured in a criss cross way. She’s going a bit short in front. I’ve never seen anything like this. We were all including trimmer thinking thrush and a non corrosive treatment like the polysporin/zinc/athletes foot mix Pete Ramey recommends.

I never thought about thrush eating up the heels like this.

[JB]

It would be worth xrays at this point, if the owner will go for it.

I agree that starting with Pete’s Goo is a great place to go, but IMHO, after a good soak with CleanTrax or White Lightning. Then a few days of the Goo, and then another good soak. This sounds like it’s been going on for quite a while.and really in there. The most impeccable trimming alone can’t push deep-seated thrush out of the foot, so it’s got to be a combination of topical treatments along with the trimming.

[Scribbler]

Do the White Lightning type products sting at all?

Owner has a good vet seeing her occasionally. I would have x-rayed a couple of years ago but I’m not part of that discussion.

[Postandrails]

Doesn’t deflation of the heel bulbs happen due to a lack of use, ie usually from a toe first landing? It sounds like she is now on the right path at least.

[FjordBCRF]

I’ve been dealing with this for a while. We started with Pete’s Goo (zinc oxide/copper sulfate) and then as the deep stuff started to heal I switched to Red Horse Artimud Hoof clay and that is closing up the rest. Not overnight but it’s getting the job done.