Rash/Scabs on lower legs, fetlocks, hooves - What is it?

[Elle83]

Hello,

My 12 year old gray mare has recently developed scabs all over her lower legs, they are more concentrated around her fetlocks and lower legs. She is kept at grass, the grass is very short but the field does have lot's of thistles in it this year, could they be giving her some kind of reaction?

It has largely been a dry summer and the field doesn't get muddy so I really don't think it's mud rash. I have washed her legs a number of times with a antibacterial shampoo but it hasn't helped at all.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Elle

 

[FairyLights]

mud rash is caused by a bacteria wet skin allows it in and if it stays wet for any length of time it proliferates. there have been dewy mornings recently and also rain. sounds like mud fever to me.

 

[Mlini]

My horse has scabby heels I thought it was mud fever but it is actually photosensitivity! Caused by a mixture of eating clover, being out in the sun and having white legs/pink skin... Practically the same thing though, unfortunatly!

 

[Elle83]

Thanks for your response, much appreciated. The scabs aren't clustered they are all quite individual, do you think that could still be mud fever? Any case I've seen before they have been really tight in patches.

 

[popularfurball]

Auto immune can also present in this way lots of things it could be, treat for mites and mud fever would be my first routes and then take it from there

 

[Sophstar]

Are they itchy? My cob has had scabby legs and the vet has treated him for mites. I thought it was mud fever as he has scabs right in under his feathers and the odd scab on his front legs but its just where the mites were making his skin so itchy he itched himself till he was sore!

 

[Tnavas]

Thanks for your response, much appreciated. The scabs aren't clustered they are all quite individual, do you think that could still be mud fever? Any case I've seen before they have been really tight in patches.

Wash her legs with Nizoral - a shampoo you can buy at the chemist. Dilute with hand hot water and lather up well working well into the skin. Wash well beyond the affected area in case the mud fever has already spread. Being initially fungal the way it spreads is always outwards.

If its not fungal then it won't clear it up but it won't so any damage.

I believe that you can now get a cheaper version - just be ssure it contains 1 or 2% Ketaconisol.