What exactly is this and how do I treat it?

Question

My new pony is very hairy, and today while I was grooming him I noticed his legs from about the knee down had dry,crusty yellow clumps all under the fur, right down to his feathers. Some of the clumps were bleeding.

I have seen this before but I cant remember what its called, and cant seem to find it anywhere so I can treat it accordingly.

I havent washed him since I got him because its winter here atm and far too cold. If I just washed his legs would that help get rid of these crusty lumps?

Can anyone please tell me what this is and how to treat it properly?

Answer 1

Sounds like scratches or Scurff.

I would scrub it with a 10% Iodine solution (like Betadine). You need to remove the scabs for the fungus to be killed, so it will take several times of scrubbing his legs to kill it. I also like the Eqyss brand anti-fungal shampoo, it helps kill it as well.

Answer 2

Sounds like mud rash. I would wash his legs in an antibacterial shampoo - whatever you can get ( I would use chlorohexidine) then dry it thoroughly. Pick off all the scabs so the wash can do it's job. Then I would use a good waterproof cream on them. And spray the whole lot ( lower legs) with 7 day mud away.

Ideally getting the horse out of the wet muddy conditions is the best bet but we know it isn't always possible to do that. - the fact that you have dry pasture should make it easier to clear up.

Keep a good watch on it for any more inflammation etc as you can get nasties through the lesions ( lymphangitis for example - my horse got that through a scratch that was about a quarter of an inch long) You may also want to check that he is up to date on his anti tetanus shots.

Answer 3

I would use an antimicrobial ointment of some sort, or a product for fungal infections.  What you describe sounds a bit like rain rot, except that usually occurs more om the back and withers.  If the horse is in a muddy area, I would try to get him into a drier environment.

   Especially because of the open bleeding sores it may be wise to get the horse on penicillin to combat infection.  You can get injectable penicilln at the feed store, it must be kept refrigerated and it takes an 18 guage needle to administer the thick stuff.  Check with your vet for dosage.  I give 2-3 cc per 100 pounds body weight.  

Answer 4

It's scratches. Get Shapley's M-T-G (it's an antibacterial oil for the mane and tail, and anything else really) and it will heal it. Or wash his feathers with anti bacterial dish soap and towel dry them the best you can.

Answer 5

It sounds like "Rain Rot."  Go to your nearest feed/tack store and ask them for an anti-fungal wash for your horse.

Answer 6

It sounds like it could be scratches that has gone up the lower legs.  Is it on the pasterns as well?  If so, it probably is scratches.  Does the hair come out when the crusts are removed?

The best thing is to cleanse the whole area involved with a betadine shampoo, but if you can't do that, it will be harder to get it under control.  If you do wash it, be sure it is thoroughly dried afterward.  If you can, a hairdryer will help dry it out.  Dampness and mud keep it going, so if you can at least get the area dried out well, you can medicate the sores.  I use EMT ointment, which is sticky and applied to each dried sore, is effective in keeping moisture out while the sores heal.  I would scratch away crusts on any new sores and apply EMT every day...it may take time to do them all, but this can become very hard to manage when it gets out of control.  It is winter so he needs his hair, so you can't really shave it to treat this.