Scratches/greasy heel/cracked heels advice.

[Fionafaye]

I have found scabs on the back of my horses pastern. I contacted my vet, she said it was likely to be scratches/greasy heel/cracked heels (all basically the same thing). She said I should wash it, remove the scabs and dry it thoroughly. She also said not to bandage it as it would heal better in the open air. This is really the problem. Although it seems less sore, it doesn't seem to be healing very well. I live in the north of scotland, which means there is barely a dry day so keeping her legs dry is impossible and wet conditions obviously allow the bacteria/fungus to thrive. I don't know if I should apply cream to stop the water getting to it, then the problem is that the cream will give moisture, or bandage it, which the vet said I shouldn't do. Or do you think I would be better to leave it as it is? Keeping her stabled isn't an option as she doesn't like being inside.

Thanks in advance.

 

[monikirk]

Try some eczema cream it will work as a barrier and promote healing - I work in a sch and claim all the old out of date bottles for neds at my yard! I would also clip off any hairy heels just to let air circulate and to stop mud/water hanging around. Once its cleared up you can let feathers grow back.

 

[itsonlyme]

One of mine has greasy heel. I found the cure for it on here, but I can't for the life of me remember which member it was from (it was years ago).
Basically, it's sudocrem (enough to cover the area), a couple of drops of tea tree oil & sulphur powder (about a spoon full in my case). Mix it all together & slap it on horsey Repeat every other day. Wash off once every 10 days or so (with hibiscrub) then start again
Our mare has quite a bit of feather, so we use the 'pig oil & sulphur' regime for all of her legs over winter as well as the sudocrem/tea tree/sulphur for the scabby bits.
Hope that makes sense. Typing on my phone & I can't see what I've written!! Trust me though - it's a miracle cure

 

[itsonlyme]

Oh also, once the scabs are completely gone, you can stop. It does tend to reappear though, so keep an eye out & start again if/when it does.

 

[Tnavas]

Please don't force off the scabs - it is extremely painful for the horse and by making it bleed you risk introducing bacteria into the wound.

The best stuff for treating it is Nizerol - it can be bought froom the chemist, a 2% solution is the best to have on hand.

There is no need to clip off any feather either

Dilute with hand hot water and with old facecloth lather it up really well working well into the roots of the hair, wash all around the pastern, above and below so that you get all the greasy heel spores. Don't rinse - Leave to dry. I keep some Nizerol diluted in a small spray bottle I can then spray the area without having to go through washing again. Very useful when you have young horses.

Prevent it from developing again by ensuring the horse has copper & zinc in its diet.