WET WEATHER AND HORSE CARE
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WET WEATHER AND HORSE CARE
With the recent wet weather, there has been an increase in the number of horses
developing common conditions associated with leg swelling and hoof problems. Here are
some tips for how to manage and prevent leg and skin conditions associated with chronic
wet weather!
OEDEMA
‘Oedema’ means that fluid is accumulating in the tissue of the leg and causes the leg to
look swollen and puffy. This usually happens around the fetlock, cannon and generally
stops at the hock/knee. Commonly, oedema occurs in the back legs and can affect one or
both back legs, however can also affect all four legs.
If you push your finger onto your horse’s leg and can feel your finger indent into the
tissue, this confirms that your horse has oedema. Oedema should not be painful,
therefore if you are concerned that your horse has swollen legs, take them for a walk and
see if they look sore or not. Oedema should also not be painful to touch compared to
Cellulitis (infection).
CAUSES
Standing still for long periods of time.
Decreased lymphatic drainage and blood flow from the lower limbs.
Some horses are more prone to this from previous injuries and conditions.
PREVENTION
Walk your horse at a brisk pace, or lunge, for 20 mins twice a day to help resolve any
swelling present and to prevent oedema from occurring. Place stable bandages on lower
legs if going to stand in a stable for long periods of time. It is really important that any
stable bandages applied are not applied tightly, have cotton padding between the skin
and external bandage and that you remove these bandages at least once a day to check
for pressure sores and to allow the skin to breathe. Laser therapy, cold hosing, massage
can also help prevent oedema.
CELLULITIS
‘Cellulitis’ is a bacterial infection of the skin and can develop and progress very quickly. It
is a painful condition and requires antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy to treat.
Cellulitis can look like Oedema however the main differences are:
Cellulitis is painful and can cause lameness, or be painful to touch vs Oedema which
is non-painful and should not cause lameness.
Cellulitis can be very quickly progressive.
(02) 9450 2020Cellulitis commonly only affects one leg at a time, however if your horse has cuts on
multiple legs, then it can occur in multiple legs. Cellulitis can occur in the front and
back legs.
Horses can develop fever and lethargy if an infection develops quickly.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Chronically wet skin.
Abrasions, cuts, punctures to the skin that allow bacteria to get under the skin.
Insect bites, e.g. biting flies.
Greasy heel (skin infection around the heels) that becomes chronic and painful.
Previous cellulitis infections and damage to lower limbs from significant injury.
PREVENTION
Any cuts, grazes or abrasions on legs should be thoroughly washed with Malaseb
shampoo once a day for at least 5 days. Leave Malaseb shampoo on for at least 15
mins before washing off and thoroughly dry the legs after.
Insect repellents, fly boots, stable bandages.
If your horse has a significant cut or puncture wound, contact us on (02) 9450 2020 to
assess whether the wound needs treating topically or with systemic antibiotics.
Please note that antibiotics can not be dispensed over the counter with prior
veterinary consultation, and vets are legally required to have seen a patient within 12
months to be able to prescribe antibiotics therapy for owners to administer.
FOOT ABSCESSES
Bacteria and dirt can enter the hoof, particularly if the hoof has been kept wet for long
periods of time. Bacteria can develop an abscess (walled-off pocket of infection) which
can quickly cause horses to become very lame. If left untreated for long periods of time,
this can increase the risk of dangerous bone infection within the hoof.
CAUSES
Hooves being wet for long periods of time.
Hoof wall cracks.
Overgrown hooves that haven’t been trimmed or maintained routinely.
Paddocks with an increased amount of rocks, penetrating foreign bodies (glass,
metal, nails), sand and weeds.
Previous abscesses within the same hoof.
Thin soled hooves that easily bruise.
Penetrating wounds, e.g. nail injury to the foot.
Horses with ‘white line disease’, ‘seedy toe’ or hoof wall separation.
(02) 9450 2020PREVENTION
Pick out your horse’s hooves every day to remove any debris and foreign material
that may penetrate into the hoof.
Try to find somewhere for your horse to be stabled that allows their hooves to dry for
a few hours a day.
Spray soles of hooves with iodine.
If your horse has an abscess, a poultice will be applied to the hoof for several days to
allow the abscess to be drawn out. In some cases, the abscess can be easily opened
to allow faster drainage. If your horse’s abscess has not burst after 4-5 days, please
contact us to discuss further treatment or diagnostic requirements.
Please do not give bute for suspected foot abscesses, as this slows down treatment
and may allow the abscess to remain within the hoof for longer.
GREASY HEEL
This is a condition where horses develop thick scabs on the back of their heels secondary
to bacterial and fungal infection. If left on the skin for long enough, these scabs allow
infection to establish and cause lameness.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Skin being kept wet for long periods of time.
Abrasions or breaks of skin in this area.
Heavily feathered horses, e.g. Clydedales with deep skin folds in the pastern area
White socks/pasterns with pink skin.
Particular paddocks with certain bacteria and fungal elements may increase the risk
for certain horses.
Leaving bell boots on too long or too tight.
PREVENTION
Wash heels with malaseb shampoo and leave shampoo on for 15 mins once a day.
Thoroughly dry skin after washing shampoo off.
Apply dermapred ointment or ‘greasy heel mixture cream’ to skin liberally twice a day
for 1-2 weeks.
Gently remove scabs and crusts once skin isn’t too painful to touch.
Some horses require antibiotics and pain relief if the condition becomes painful and
severe.
THRUSH
The grooves around the base of the frog on a horse’s hoof are called the ‘Sulcus’ of the
frog. If this area is left wet for too long, horses will develop Thrush. Thrush appears in the
sulcus of the frog as black debris, which when removed reveals a white crumbly and very
smelly area of the hoof.
(02) 9450 2020CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Hoof being wet for a long period of time.
Debris being packed into the sulcus of the frog, e.g. faeces, mud etc.
Laminitic horses, or horses with contracted heels, may develop a condition called
‘Frog Atrophy’ – this causes the frog tissue to die and accumulate more debris within
this area of the foot.
Dirty bedding with increased faecal matter.
PREVENTION
Clean your horse’s feet daily, using a hoof pick to remove debris from the sulcus of
the frog.
Use iodine to dry out the sulcus, particularly if you see the white crumbly and smelly
material developing.
Clean stables and paddocks frequently to remove faeces.
Routine farrier care of hooves to remove overgrown frog material and maintain hoof
health and balance to prevent Frog Atrophy from developing.
RAIN SCALD
Scabbing, hair loss and ‘dandruff’ on the head, topline and body that can also become
itchy. The skin may look leathery and darkened under hair.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Wet and humid weather causes the skin to remain damp or sweaty, particularly after
exercise or prolonged periods of rain.
Sweating under raincoats and prolonged rugging.
Individual horses may be more susceptible, particularly if they have allergic skin or
are sensitive to insect bites, etc.
PREVENTION
Thoroughly wash skin with malaseb shampoo and leave shampoo on for 15 mins
before washing off.
Remove scabs and crusts if they occur.
Apply dermapred or Neocort cream after shampoo.
Allow skin to dry and breathe where possible.
Wash rugs to remove bacterial debris and contamination.
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