As the weather gets warmer your horse is likely to spend more time outside and run through mud and manure. That’s why it’s crucial to clean your horse's hooves daily to assure they stay happy and healthy. If not cleaned and maintained properly, your horse can develop a bacterial infection like hoof rot.

What is hoof rot?

This condition causes the outer layer of a horse’s hoof wall to separate from the sole. The separation leaves your horse’s hoof vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections. The good news is that hoof rot is preventable with a consistent grooming routine!

Signs of hoof rot

It’s important to know the signs of hoof rot so you can start treatment as soon as possible. You should look out for sore hooves, a foul smell from the hooves, swelling, separation around the hooves or nails, or a reduced appetite in your horse.  

Causes and prevention

Hoof rot is spread by bacteria or fungus entering the horse's hooves through cuts or cracks in the skin. The bacteria or fungus then gets trapped and begins to rot away the horses. The best preventative action is maintaining your horse's grooming. Be sure to clean and pick your horse’s hooves daily to remove any mud and manure. It’s also important to trim your horse's nails. If you don’t do this daily, you increase the likelihood of hoof rot. 

Hoof rot is contagious among horses, so it’s important to take precautions! You should regularly clean your horse's stalls and provide dry bedding to prevent infection. Check the drainage in the stalls regularly to stop bacteria from growing in still water. Isolating any horse that is showing symptoms of hoof rot will lower the risk of spreading the infection. 

Treatment

Treatment for hoof rot is most successful when the infection is caught early. The first step to treating hoof rot is to isolate the infected horse in a dry and clean environment. Remove all debris and build-up with a hoof pick. Most cases of hoof rot require antibiotics, but adding HoneyCure to your horse's treatment plan will help encourage healing and help prevent further infection! Always consult your veterinarian with any concerns to establish the best treatment plan for your horse. 

It’s important to always be prepared for your horse. You should be checking for signs of hoof rot during every grooming session to assure your horse stays the best and healthiest version of themself!  

1. Dmcintos. “Livestock Health: Foot Rot- Prevention and Treatment: UT Beef & Forage Center.” UT Beef Forage Center, 1 Dec. 2021, utbeef.tennessee.edu/livestock-health-foot-rot-prevention-and-treatment/. 

2. “What You Need to Know about Hoof Health.” What You Need to Know About Hoof Health, 26 Aug. 2020, tristatevetservices.com/blog?article_id=what-you-need-to-know-about-hoof-health#:~:text=Pick%20and%20clean%20their%20hooves,diseases%20like%20white%20line%20disease.