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Scratches - Now YOU Can Treat It!  
Scratches, or what is also referred to as “Grease Heel,” is relatively common during the fall and winter. The snow and rain of these wet months expose the horse to a lot of moisture, which causes the skin to become chapped and raw, thereby making it susceptible to the bacteria that causes this disease. Lesions form on the pasterns or heel bulbs, most frequently on the hind legs, but sometimes on all four. They may also spread towards the knees and hocks. These lesions ooze an exudate, or discharge, that clumps the hair and forms scabs. If allowed to progress, cracks and fissures grow deeper and the discharge crusts over to gray, scabby areas, which will harden into “grape” clusters. Pasterns with white areas or long hair are more vulnerable to the affliction. The long hair traps the moisture and the mud, making it harder to keep the pasterns dry and clean. The scratches can be itchy and painful for the horse, even to the point of inducing lameness and manifesting itself with a stringhalt-like gait.

The very first thing to do is to remove the horse from his damp environment and move him into a stall with dry bedding. If your horse has long hair or feathers around the pastern, you may want to clip it to allow for the area to dry better and remain cleaner more easily. The clipping may become part of your preventive measures if your horse is prone to this problem.

There are mixed opinions regarding the removal of the scabs and crusty surface of the lesions. Most experts recommend soaking the pastern to soften the scabs, which will make them easier to take off. If you opt for this procedure, gently remove the scabs without irritating the affected area, which could aggravate the inflammation. If the condition has advanced to the point where the “grape” clusters have formed, a veterinarian may have to excise the hardened area, much like they do with “proud flesh.”

In the March 1999 issue of Practical Horseman magazine, veterinarian Midge Leitch, who has served the US Equestrian Team on a number of occasions, provides a simple step-by-step method of treating the scratches. After moving the horse to a dry place, Dr. Leitch recommends washing the affected area with either a regular or medicated shampoo, removing all the dirt surrounding the site. Rinse the leg well to remove any soap, then dry it thoroughly – patting it rather than rubbing it. Once the leg is dry, you may then apply the medicine.

For mild cases, Leitch suggests a mixture of equal parts nitrofurazone, or antibacterial agent, and Desitin. Apply the medicine in a thin layer over the entire area. For more severe cases, she advocates combining a “triple antibiotic ointment” (something along the lines of the “Neosporin”), or a medicine prescribed by your veterinarian, with the Desitin. To further reduce the inflammation of the area, she suggests including a topical steroid (either over-the-counter or injectable solution) in the mixture. Regardless of which compound you use, she emphasizes the importance of thoroughly blending all the ingredients. The Desitin, which is commonly associated with the treatment of diaper rash, is a key ingredient because it acts as a barrier to the moisture. It also helps to hold the medicine onto the affected area, without which it would easily be brushed off through the grass or bedding as the horse moves.

Dr. Leitch recommends repeating this process once every day. If you can apply the medicine a second time within 12 hours of the first application, she suggests doing so without re-washing, which can irritate the skin. The legs should begin to show signs of improvement within two days, with the lesions disappearing within about a week. If there is no sign of improvement or the condition worsens, contact your veterinarian because a culture may need to be taken and a different type of treatment altogether may be necessary. Though Dr. Leitch proposes mixing injectable or oral antibiotics, which may be in the form of a paste or ground tablets (such as Tribrissen), with the Desitin for severe cases, you should consult your veterinarian before trying this alternative solution. If the leg feels noticeably warm or show signs of swelling, notify your veterinarian immediately. The infection may have penetrated beyond just the surface, in which case he or she may need to administer systemic antibiotics.

In an effort to prevent repeat occurrences, make sure the horse has dry bedding when in his stall. Also, keep the horse stalled when it is raining or if there is a lot of moisture on the ground, as in the case with early morning dew. Even when grooming, limit the exposure to any water by brushing any dirt or grime off his leg. Though it is treatable, it is better to reduce the chances of your horse developing the infection rather than having to go through the above procedures.



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