With increased wet weather in many areas over the past few months, horse owners are seeing an increase in cases of greasy heel and rain scald brought on by microorganisms, allergies, soil and bedding conditions.
Greasy heel appears on the lower legs as patches of itchy, swollen skin beneath matted hair. Left untreated, the skin develops deep cracks and becomes infected. The hair falls out, and oozing discharges that are greasy or sticky to the touch coat the skin on the heels and pasterns.
Cracked and inflamed skin on heels and rear of pasterns, weeping sores that ooze a greasy or sticky yellowish discharge, swelling of tissues and loss of hair are symptoms of these diseases.
Greasy heel is usually prevented by keeping horses in clean, dry conditions. Maintain stalls and paddocks to limit dampness from urine and to keep manure from building up. Improving drainage in pastures and paddocks will help keep mud to a minimum and prevent growth of bacteria that contribute to the disease.
In some cases, smearing a thin layer of a zinc-based emollient onto the skin when horses are turned out will help to control infection. In horses with white pasterns, applying a thin coat of sunscreen on a regular basis will help repel moisture, control skin infection, and prevent sunburn. For horses with a history of recurring greasy heel, this preventative treatment often works well.
If lesions are sore and swollen, smear on a corticosteroid-antibiotic cream. Repeat this treatment for 2 to 3 days. Once the discomfort and swelling has decreased, apply a drying agent to the area twice daily to maintain the rate of healing.
Keep the horse in a clean, dry area and avoid using wraps or bandages that may hold in moisture. Any brushes or equipment used on a horse with greasy heel should be sterilized before use on another horse, or a separate set of brushes and equipment should be used to prevent cross-contamination.
Rain scald is caused by the same conditions as greasy heel, but appears as scurfy patches on a horse’s or pony’s back, shoulders and haunches. The hair may be ‘staring’ or matted in small areas. The hair grows through the patches at first and the scald may not be apparent until you feel the rises on the skin.
Pull away the hair and the scurf will lift. The skin beneath will appear raw and oozing. If left untreated infection can set in.
Treatment is similar to that of greasy heel.
In cases of severe infection and lameness, a veterinarian should be consulted as to the best course of treatment.