Q: I’m looking for suggestions regarding the treatment of a client’s horse who had a severe case of thrush in all four feet. The thrush has been treated over several weeks and has appeared to be cleaned up. The problem now is that the cleft of the frog is cracked all the way to up the live tissue because of the extreme dry weather.

My client stopped using the treatment I prescribed a couple of weeks ago and opted for a less-expensive treatment of bleach and water — which contributed to drying out the hoof. The horse’s hoof is so sore now that he won’t let you pick up his opposite hoof. I’ve suggested treating the hooves with a bar shoe and Vettec Equi-Pak CS. The hoof angle, heels and sole are in really good shape and the bars are only slightly contracted.

—Derek Grimwood

A: On the frog, use Corona Cream. In the Corona, put 1 to 2 tablespoons of Vitamin E-liquid and stir well (then apply to the frog only). On the sole, use gum turpentine and brush it in (on the sole only) and allow it to dry as much as possible. Do this once a day for 3 days and see if there is a positive change.

And please tell the horse owner — “Absolutely no more bleach on the feet!”

—Rickey Benningfield

Draft Horse Hoof Repair

Q: My wife has a friend with a draft horse who is in need of some serious hoof repairs.…