A speedier way to heal thrush in hooves!

So what is thrush? Its a bacterial infection in the cleft of the frog, that is characterized by a putrid black discharge, and it stinks, it causes poor growth and degeneration of the horn. Its painful and left untreated can render a horse lame for life. Its caused by not keeping the hooves picked out and manure and mud are left in the hoof to fester. It happens more frequently when theres been alot of rain, causeing more mud then usual that gets mixed in with manure. Now any horse can get thrush and when caught early can be cleared up pretty quick. There are several remedies on the market to day any of which will work just fine.


Over the years I've seen people just pick a hoof out and squirt the thrush meds in and just leave it, and not doing anything else. How anyone thinks this is going to work is beyond me. My dad taught me that it requires a bit more work then that.

What your going to need is, 2 small buckets, with warm water in them one with a squirt of mild soap in it and stir it up, just water in the other, hoof pick, a small fingernail brush, 3% peroxide (only 3% nothing stronger), a micro towel, and your thrush medication.

With your horse tied and maybe munching on a hay bag,(keep him busy) pick out all dirt and debris from the hoof. next with the brush dip it into the soapy water and begin scrubbing the hoof, getting into the cleft, dip the brush into the other bucket of water to rinse it and then go back to the soapy bucket to continue cleaning, keep doing this till the hoof looks clean, dry it a bit with the towel. Pour just a bit of peroxide into the cleft, hold the hoof up so it pools there and bubbles, tip hoof to let it drain off, and repeat 2 more times, you'll begin to notice that the putrid black crap is getting "eaten" away, leaving fresh hoof behind, now use your towel and dry off the hoof, getting into the cleft so its dry too, apply the thrush medication into the cleft hold the hoof so it pools for a moment and then let the hoof down. Cleaning the hoof this way will help speed the healing process, and the medication can get down into the cleft where it has to do its job of killing off the thrush bacteria.
Happy Horse Keeping

Coupon Codes Demystified. Or What you didn't know about coupons!

Coupon Codes Demystified!
Here is a cheat sheet of coupon codes that can apply to just about anything, whether from your sunday circular or your local farm store.

SUNDAY INSERTS
P&G: Proctor and Gambl
RP: RedPlum
SS: SmartSource
V: Valassis
WBY: When you buy
IPQ: Internet printable coupon

$1/1, $1/2: $1 off one item, $1 off two items, etc
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for a $1, three items for $2, etc

BOGO: Buy one get one free
B2GO: Buy two items, get one free

Blinkies: In-store coupon dispenser with blinking light
Cat: Catalina, coupons generated by the cash register
FAR: Free after rebate
MFR: Manufacturer
MIR: Mail in rebate
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
PSA: Prices starting at
UPC: Universal product code (bar code)

YMMV: Your mileage (or manager) may vary-meaning some stores might give you a deal and some might not. Peelies: coupons attatched to the outside of a product

Storing your coupons is easy. By an envelope size organizer that has twelve tabs for creating different catagories for your coupons. People ones would be, medications, cleaning supplies, fruits&Veggies, Meats, Misc, etc.
For your horse or farm coupons,
supplies, feed, supplements, clothing horse or people or dog, tack, grooming supplies, medications,  etc.

At truck stops just inside the enterance there are usually racks of booklets and flyers that have coupons for resturants and hotels. Some of which are quite good deals. Hotel rooms for $39. a night, hey beats full price, espceially when your at a multi-day show. Also when you book reservations ahead of time tell the booking agent that you are with such and such a show,and are there any group rate room deals. For 20 minuetes of calling around to different hotels you may find some great deals, espceially if they provide a hot continental breakfast.

And of course don't forget about catalog codes, when ordering on line.  Most of these will give you a percentage off or will offer FREE shipping, just having free shipping is worth typing in the code.  If you have signed up with your favorite catalog companies then you will recieve them in emails and on any mailed catalogs to your home, be sure though to check for expireation dates since some are time sensitive. 
Happy Trails Everyone,