My Mare has Itchy, scabby often sore heels

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lauzpoz

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I have had my Dunn Mare for 6 years now, and had her on loan for 2 years prior to that. In the 8 years I have had her she has always had itchy scabs in her heel and round the front on her feet, mainly her back legs. She constantly rubs them, occasionally making them sore and bleed and no matter how often I wash them and treat them they never completely go away, only get better then worsten again soon. She has never gone lame from them though.
Has anyone else ever experienced this problem? <font color="blue"> </font>
 
No I hadn't thought of mites. Do you think she would have continously had them for 8 years? I will certainly give it a go, Thanks.
 
That sounds alot like grease heel to me! I think maybe you all would call it something like "mud fever" ????????

Does she stand in alot of wet or muddy conditions often?

Does she have hairloss and do the scabs weep?



Edited as I found this online

Patern Dermatitis:
Scratches, Grease Heel, Dew Poisoning, Mud Fever, and Photosenstization in Horses
by Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Introduction
No matter what you call it, scratches, grease heel, dew poisoning, or mud fever, this condition looks the same. Characterized by slowly enlarging redness, crusts (scabs), and open sores on the back of the heels and pastern. Unchecked this condition may spread to the coronet band and even further up. The sores are painful and can cause lameness. This report concerns itself with the cause, treatment, and prevention of this condition.
 
I second the mites. my pony had these symptoms a couple of winters ago. frontlined her (and chopped the feathers off!) and we havve had no more problems since!
 
It's not mud fever, the vats had it checked. She is on her own in the field so the field never gets muddy, no hair loss and they have never wept.
 
Yes thanks. I have done a search for frontline on google and come accross people with horses who have had very similar problems and said frontline worked. So fingers crossed!
 
good luck!
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Is she of heavy horse/cob breeding? These horses are very prone to grease - caused by mites, even with clipped legs - in fact my clydie is better with full feather.

If you frontline them, make sure you use lots and rub well in and then do the same in 10 days time that should get rid of them.

A very easy and cheap way of keeping heavy horses free from grease is to use pig oil and sulphur after you have frontlined them. I have put up lots of posts on how to obtain and use this, if you want to know more, PM me.
 
Sounds familiar- Solo (my horse) seems to be better when she has her feathers longer. I frontlines her last night and will do the same in 10 days time as you suggested, and if I have further problems or require some pig oil I'll let you know. Many Thanks
 
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