effective boots for VERY photosensitive horse

[jojo5]

Hi,
A friend on my yard has a youngster who has four white socks - he has had major problems with mud fever type scabs. These have been biopsied by the vet, who has said at the moment that he is either ectremely photosensitive or has a bacterial infection. My fried is trying to think of boots for his legs which fit well enough to block light and germs, yet do not cause sores: she also has to put something under the actual boots so that the possible bacteria do not infiltrate the actual boots. She has tried mud socks and sun socks but they seem to rub. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Sorry jj - can't help other than to say that it seems that white legs are more prone to mudfever than coloured legs. I had a friend at my last yard who had an arab gelding that had 2 white stockings and he always had to pay particular attention to the white legs. If your friend's horse had been older, I might have been worried that acute photosensitivity could indicate some sort of liver problem but I wouldn't have thought a youngster would be in that category. My friend used to hibiscrub the legs if there was signs of a rash appearing, then wash in any gentle shampoo to get every scrap of mud off, then dry very gently but thoroughly, then plaster in any reputable barrier ccream eg udder cream. He pretty much kept on top of it but it was hard work! I think any sort of boot would create a damp environment AND rub the already sore skin and that would make it worse. Hope your friend manages to sort it x

 

[Dotilas]

http://www.equilibriumproducts.com/sun_protection/equi_chapsreg_sun_protect_chaps/

?

 

[scallywags]

My girl had a simmilar photosensitivity reaction, after last winters snow. She was diagnosed with chronic mononuclear cell perivascular dermatitis. her sores were around the heal, pastern and down the back of the leg - where the main blood flow is.

I used flamizole cream from the vets, on the sores then used clingfilm to let the skin sweat to draw in the cream deep. and keep her legs fully bandaged.

Once the sores had gone, I too was having trouble keeping her legs covered esp as my girl's white legs go above the knee's and hocks (like a clydesdale)

But I discovered the answer that works for me. Tubi grip! double layered to keep the sun out, lets the skin breath, dosnt slip or rub and quite cheap, you can get it online by 1/2 m, 1m or 10 m from as little as £3 a metre,

Jill