Scabby legs

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I ran my hand down my horses legs today and it felt as though there were lots of little scabs under the hair on his lower leg. Any idea what this could be? I don't think it's sweetitch and he doesn't seem to be bothered by it. He was vetted in May and this was not picked up then. Do you think it could be fly bites? You can feel them but not see them!

Thanks in advance!
 
It is most likely to be mites, if left they will get worse and annoy the horse. There are all sorts of home remedies but the best thing is to ring your vet and ask for a Dectomax injection, which will have to be repeated in 6 weeks.
 
I'd suspect mites, the last 3 years we have had an issue come June that dectomax has resolved, interestingly having changed location we are fine this year.

My boy is king of random scabbiness that usually sudocreme+sulphur powder mixed would keep on top off but this would just get a bit out of control. Within 24 hours of injecting they would be mostly gone- which apparently isn't that normal.
 
Okay thanks for the replies. I was hoping I'd be able to treat without getting vet out. I've read somewhere pig oil and sulphur work?! Though I need to check if he needs his jabs in which case he could do the mites injection at same time!
 
Pig oil and sulphur is for mud fever not mites. It is possible this is med fever - although I would expect the horse to be a lot more bothered if it has reached the scabbing point. (Plus not terribly muddy this time of year?!). You can cause your horse a lot of distress treating mud fever as mites or vice versa. The best thing to do is to get the vet out and get a proper diagnosis.

Horses can become very uncomfortable very quickly with mites and mud fever. You don't want to start your new relationship off with his being in pain.
 
Sounds like mites - they often turn up at this time of year. I would imagine that your horse will become very itchy quite soon. Do get the dectomax injection - it's often very effective. Frontline spray (lots of it needed for an effective application) is also useful and there was a study used that involved a special shampoo (Benzoyl something 2.5%) and a liquid that included sulphur that proved effective. I'll see if I can dig it out.
 
Pig oil and sulphur tends to deter mites from returning but absolutely must be patch tested first. I've had success with deosect too but only when it wasn't too bad.

Of course you have to consider what mud fever is, it doesn't require mid, when a horse has scabby legs you aren't looking at the mites directly you are looking at the results of irritation, subsequent broken skin and infection.
 
Sounds love me Mudfever or possibly mites.

First wash with Nizoral shampoo, working the shampoo well into the hair. Leave on for 20 mins and rinse off.

If no improvement then rub in Neem oil, it's a great insecticide.
 
Thanks for the replies. He's all bay so his legs aren't white :)
Is it possible to find mites around the saddle area? He's got some scabs there too which is preventing me from riding him as its sore to touch. I am going to get vet out but he is due his last jab in a couple of weeks to was hoping to do that at same time!
 
If its been rainig recently or humid it could be 'Rain Scald' - same bug as mudfever - give him a bath in hand hot water with Nizoral shampoo - working it well in to the hair. Dilute the Nizoral in hand hot water so that is goes further. Really good stuff for anything like Rain Scald, Mudfever & Greasy HEel
 
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