scratches on horses?

Question

what is the best way to treat and prevent scratches?

you guys know that I mean the scratches on the back of the heel, not scratches like a cut.......?

Answer 1

Keep your horse's fetlocks clean. If dirty mud (Manure/Urine) sits on the area too long, the fungus infection will start. When my horse had scratches, I washed his legs everyday with tea tree oil shampoo and rinsed and dried them well.

Answer 2

I've always use Wound Kote with great improvements- it comes in the spray kind and also powder. Gold Bond works great too. If they are pretty severe then you need to contact your vet and get an antibiotic treatment to help them heal faster.

As for the preventing- horses get into all sorts of things. So unless you cut down low limbs and ground brush your horse is going to get scratches. If your horse is getting cut on other objects such as equipment or fencing- make sure you have a horse safe fence and that your equipment is in good shape and not over worn.

Answer 3

treat with any antifungal and bacteria product. MTG (mane tail groom) which they sell at most horse supply stores works really well for scratches and actually any skin problem. If they are serious and oozing though, you would be better off getting a medicated cream from the vet.
For preventing- keep the horse in as dry of conditions as possible. If it is a draft horse, you may have to shave off the feathers to get air circulation down there.

Answer 4

There is really no way to prevent scratches, but you definitely can treat them. I'm assuming that by scratch, you mean not very deep. There are all kinds of ointments you can put on a scratch. I have found a very nice ointment that is not antibiotic, but helps the scratch heal faster. It is called Bag Balm. It works very nicely. Also, you could try most any other kind of ointment for horses. If it is a bad scratch on your horses leg, dress it and call your vet. I hope this helps! Happy trails!

Answer 5

Treat... desitin and keep the area clean. Make sure to disinfect your brushes with a bleach/water solution!

Prevent? That's a toughie as some horses are just more prone to it. Try to keep the horse that is getting them out of the mud and wet as much as possible. (I know that can be VERY hard!) If the horse has feathers, consider keeping them trimmed short.

Answer 6

I am guessing you mean scratches the fungal infection, not scratches like he got scratched by something?
Scratches the fungal infection..only keeping them dry and out of mud will prevent it...but an awesome, natural inexpensive treatment is (and you will laugh) sourkrout...it changes the ph and kills the fungus. put a glob on and wrap with vet wrap overnight...keep up the treatments until gone...any leftovers, make hotdogs :-)

Answer 7

A really inexpensive and good treatment is Gold Bond Medicated Powder. They sell it at drug stores and stuff. just keep their heels dry as much as possible and dump powder on them 2 x a day. Prevention, keep your horses in for night or day, if it is muddy so that their heels can dry.

Answer 8

Find out where your horse is getting the scratches and then remove it. Triple antibiotic ointment works wonders.

Answer 9

You should contact your Equine Vet and have them look at the scrathces if they are serious, and they will prescribe a medicine. But if they're only minor scratches, they can heal on their own.
Just ask your vet if they are deep, serious cuts. What were they cause from?
Best Of Luck

Answer 10

if u go to RURAL KING, there is a substance called "cut n heal" that u can put on the scratch
i use it all the time with my horse
works good and it heals faster