Belgian Draft Horse Skin Diseases

With their chestnut coats and white manes and tails, Belgian draft horses make a striking sight. Still popular for farm work among the Amish and hobby farmers, Belgians are also used for pleasure carriage driving and riding. They are often crossed with thoroughbreds and other light breeds for sporthorses. The Belgian cross might be found in the hunt field or jumping a course at a horse show. Certain skin diseases are found in the breed, so if in the market for a Belgian, make sure it is free of these skin issues.

  1. Chronic Progressive Lymphedema

    • This disease strikes mainly the heavy horses of draft breeding, including Belgians, Shires and Clydesdales. It is uncommon in the Percheron. Believed by scientists to have a genetic basis, chronic progressive lymphedema may appear in horses before the age of 2. At first, it may be mistaken for ordinary "scratches," or pastern dermatitis, but the skin lesions persist and eventually affect the vascular and lymphatic systems. Nodules form on the pastern, causing lameness and ulceration. According to researchers at the University of California at Davis, front leg lesions are generally less severe than those on the rear legs. Due to movement difficulty, horses often must be euthanized. While there is no cure for the disease, regular wrapping with stretch bandages can slow progression. Horse owners should inspect their horses' legs daily, and pay special attention to the feathered pastern area. In a Belgian, do not assume unusual bumps are scratches unless confirmed by a veterinarian.

    Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

    • Commonly referred to as Epitheliogenesis Imperfecto or E.I., this genetic disease is evident in foals, where it is fatal. According to the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America, hair and skin on the foal quickly come off the animal's body, and the foal either dies or requires euthanization within a week of its birth. Prevention is the only cure. Since horses carrying the genetic mutation can be tested by relatively easy and inexpensive pulled-hair DNA lab sampling, any horse with a positive result should not be bred.

    Pastern Dermatitis

    • Different regions call it different things. Whether referred to as scratches, mud fever, greasy heel, dew poisoning or some other colloquialism, pastern dermatitis usually appears in spring and fall when conditions are wet and muddy. Although Belgians have less feathering on their legs than other draft breeds, they are still susceptible to scratches. The disease manifests as sores and bumps in the pastern area, which may progress up the leg. Over-the-counter remedies are available at horse-supply stores, and many horsemen swear by home-made mixtures containing sulfur and anti-inflammatories. However, since scratches has early symptoms similar to the serious chronic progressive lymphedema, call your veterinarian if you find lesions on your Belgian's pasterns. Even if treated with over-the-counter products, any case of suspected scratches that does not clear up within a few days warrants a call to the veterinarian.