Scratches: Keep This Condition From Turning Chronic

 
Pasterns often become crusty and scabby when mud season turns paddocks into soupy messes. But left untreated a simple case of scratches can escalate into a painful chronic condition.
Scratches is the common term for pastern dermatitis an inflammation of the skin that develops between the heels and the fetlocks. Affected areas become scabby and crusty sometimes oozing clear or yellowish serum.
Usually the result of repeated wetting and drying scratches develops when bacteria or fungi invade through tiny wounds or cracks in the skins surface. Although scratches can occur at any time of year it is seen more frequently when horses are turned out in wet environments.

You can probably treat scratches on your own and most cases will clear up quickly with proper care. But if your horse develops persistent or severe scratches youll want to seek your veterinarians help.
What to do
Rinse your horses legs. Move your horse into a dry area and hose off dirt mud and other debris on his lower legs. You may want to carefully trim the longer hair on his pasterns to better expose the skin to the air.
Cleanse the affected area with an antiseptic wash. Choose a product that contains 2 percent chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide and use it as directed. Avoid products with higher concentrations of these agents because they can further irritate the skin.
Dry the skin thoroughly. You may want to use a hair dryer at a low setting.
Apply an antibiotic ointment. This step isnt strictly necessary but in addition to helping to kill bacteria a thicker ointment may form a protective barrier over the skin.
Repeat as needed. Clean and treat the affected skin every two to three days until the infection clears. Most cases of scratches heal within two weeks.
Address the cause. If your horse