Crusty ears??

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Moobucket

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My horse has what looks like flaky skin on the inside of his ears. It doesn't seem to bother him and I only noticed it today? Does anyone else have a horse with this and is it something I should worry about? He seems happy in himself otherwise.

It flakes off if you touch it but it doesn't seem to cause any pain. I didn't want to wash it off to much in case i got water in his ears? :confused:
 
Hi Moobucket, yes I've had horses with this problem before (I can't remember the name for it now but it's similar to warts in humans - or at least tests in the USA have shown that wart creams may help clear it up).

My boss used to wash out one horse's ears and rub E45 cream inside his ears because they looked dry. He was a problem because he wouldn't let us touch his ears at all and it was a mammoth task to get his bridle on. Thankfully now they have cleared up but he's still touchy about his ears.

One of my mares at home has it in both ears, not as bad as the horse at work, and she doesn't mind me touching her ears at all and I don't think it affects her in any way so I haven't done anything about it.
 
If they are aural plaques, Id be very wary of doing anything to them to be honest, the more you fiddle the more likely you are to cause them to become tender and sensitive. My vet recommended leaving well alone, just keep a wary eye on them but thats all really. There are lots and lots of old wives tales about things that will get rid, nothing is proven to work, so unless causing a problem (in which case id have the vet out) id leave well alone.
 
BlairandAzria said:
If they are aural plaques, Id be very wary of doing anything to them to be honest, the more you fiddle the more likely you are to cause them to become tender and sensitive. My vet recommended leaving well alone, just keep a wary eye on them but thats all really. There are lots and lots of old wives tales about things that will get rid, nothing is proven to work, so unless causing a problem (in which case id have the vet out) id leave well alone.
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This was the Royal Vet college head horse man's advice to me. Leave well alone. Ideally use a fly fringe with ear covers in the late spring and early summer which will help to prevent them getting worse (aural plaques are caused by an abnormal reaction to the blackfly bite, some horses are more targeted and more sensitive than others).
 
some advice, if they are aural plaque leave well alone, that's what my vet advised me too!

just to go slightly off the thread (sorry OP) does anyone find that there horses that have aural plaques in their ears more touchy when its warm? thank you
 
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