If a horse loses a shoe later in the shoeing period, it may be due to worn nails heads or loosening clinches. The large majority of lost shoes are front shoes. Thrush is caused by an anaerobic bacteria that thrives in the warm, dark recesses of the hoof. If left untreated it can invade sensitive tissues, especially deep in the central cleft of the frog, and cause lameness. Thrush will also inhabit separations and cracks in the hoof wall, especially if the horse is in a moist environment.
Cleanliness is the best prevention and the first step of any treatment program.
Sugardine is very effective for treating thrush. If your horse is getting adequate exercise and the footing of his stall, pen or pasture is well-drained, the moisture balance between the inner and outer layers of his hooves probably remains at a relatively constant, healthy level. However, if your horse stands inactive for long periods of time, sufficient moisture may not be delivered via the blood to the hoof and his hoof walls may tend to contract. On the other hand, if his hooves are too soft from water, mud, frequent baths, or excessive hoof dressing, they contain too much moisture and the hoof spreads and the layers separate.