Home Remedy for Scratches in Horses

Scratches, also called "Mud Fever," is a painful fungal infection of the lower legs of a horse, most commonly the pastern area. It is characterized by swelling, cracking and pain in the skin around the infected area. It can cause the horse severe pain and, in some cases, can cause lameness. When wet, muddy weather sets in, scratches can become a real problem for the horse owner. Knowing some simple ways to treat this ailment can really help.

  1. Dry and Clean

    • The first and most basic step in treating scratches in horses is to remove the horse from the dirty, wet environment. Often, scratches will affect a horse during cold, wet weather, when it is hard to keep them dry and clean. But in order to clear up the infection, and to keep it from getting worse, it is necessary to get the horse in a dry, clean environment. It might be necessary to stall the horse, or to keep it in a smaller, drier pen until the infection is cleared up.

    Preparing the treatment area

    • Once you have removed the horse from the wet, dirty environment, you need to clean the infected area. Wash the area with a mild soap and rinse it until all the skin and hair surrounding the infection is clean. Dry the area thoroughly. Clip any loose hair away from the exposed sores, and make sure the entire affected area easily is accessible to your treatments. You will not be wrapping the area, but letting it breath. Be aware the horse will be uncomfortable during this process and might put up a fight.

    Treatment

    • There are many methods to treating scratches. Most involve the use of some sort of drying agent, such as blue lotion, alcohol or iodine. You can purchase any of these items at the local feed store, but you can also make a homemade solution that will kill the fungus for scratches. Mixing bleach with water at a 50 percent dilution rate will serve as an antifungal, antimicrobial and a drying agent all at once. You want to make sure you only apply it to the area of infection, as it will burn healthy skin. It will cause some discomfort and burning to the horse, so be prepared for this.