Cracked Heels in Horses
Horses that spend a great deal of time in wet, clammy conditions may develop cracked heels. It is characterized by soreness and inflammation of the horse's heel, followed by the development of a sticky substance on its heel and the surrounding skin. After time, this sticky serum dries into a painful scab, which then cracks. It is excruciatingly painful for the horse and occurs on its pastern and fetlock.
Symptoms
- Foot soreness and pain
- Inflammation or swelling of foot area
- Sticky material on skin surface
- Lesions
- Scabs
- Cracking of the skin
Causes
Horses have skin oils around their foot area. These oils are essential and can be removed if a horse is placed in wet, humid or muddy environments. Other risk factors include allergies to abrasive dust or sand, or bacterial infections (e.g., dermatophilus congolensis).
Diagnosis
The symptoms listed above are good indicators of cracked heels, however, it is best to bring your horse to a veterinarian to properly diagnose the animal.
Treatment
The best course of treatment for cracked heels is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. This means keeping its legs clean and dry at all times, and while bathing, removing all scabs that may develop on its heels. In many cases, a sedative is needed when removing these types of scabs, as the horse may not be able to stay still due to the pain. After the scabs have been removed and the area has been thoroughly cleaned, it is necessary to administer an antibiotic to help heal and prevent any further infection of the area.
Living and Management
After treating the lesions for cracked heels, keep the area clean and dry. Again, this will not only allow the antibiotic to function properly, but help prevent bacterial infection from developing.
Prevention
Remember that wet hair and skin are the main causes for cracked heels. Therefore, keeping a horse in a stable during inclement weather and ensuring that living conditions are clean and dry should prevent cracked heels.