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Treating Horse Scratches

1/13/2021

 
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Group hugs after I groomed my horses and clipped Finnegan’s feathers (the long hair that grows around the hoof). Shaving is a last resort at my farm but I will do it if I need to. You see, bacteria, moisture, and mites get trapped in the hair especially during spring thaws and mud season. It becomes very itchy and irritating and, if left untreated, can even cause a horse to go lame from the pain (not to mention infection). To make it even trickier to battle, a treatment that works for one horse won’t necessarily work for another. Dozer does well on pig oil & sulfur applied weekly. She has no issues. But this actually irritates Finn further.

If your horse has Clyde Itch/Mud Fever/ Scratches (it’s all the same) here are some things to try:
  • MTG brand (Mane-Tail-Groom) oil applied and rubbed in weekly
  • Pig Oil and Sulphur applied weekly (similar to MTG without additives)
  • Homemade scratches ointment (equal parts triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone and diaper rash cream)
  • KrudZapper brand Ointment
  • KillItch brand shampoo
  • @coat_defense Drying Paste and Preventive Powder
  • Washing before any treatment is recommended BUT water is also the source of irritation. Clean off the mud and dry completely. I have found repeat washing only irritates the skin further.
  • Some vets recommend picking off any scabs. I do not.
  • CleanTrax hoof soak. Again, dry completely.
  • Shave the feathers to allow light and air to kill any remaining bacteria.

As always, with anything you apply be sure to do a patch test to make sure the horse has no allergic reaction. Additionally, keeping the horse away from mud and standing water is hugely helpful. I hope this helps! Feathered horse owners know this can be an ongoing battle to keep our babes comfortable.
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8 Colic prevention tips for horses

12/30/2020

 
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There is something magical about horses in the snow. However beautiful, the cold season increases the risk for colic in horses. The fluctuations in the cold cause horses to “forget” to drink as much water as they should (or not have access to it due to a frozen water trough). The lack or decreased intake of water slows motility in the gut and causes stomach upset—ranging from gas and bloating to serious complications like twisted intestines.

Dozer (my black mare in the front) almost died two years ago from a horrible colic episode... she had had previous episodes before I even brought her home. So now I do everything I can to keep these babes safe and healthy, especially since one horse is recurrent. Here’s my tips:
  • Heated water troughs because horses prefer warmer water. Keep troughs out from under roofs to eliminate risk of fire. This also causes the horse to walk to water.
  • Ensure movement. Horses aren’t physically meant to be stall bound. They need to walk. Give them opportunity for turnout if 24/7 pasture access isn’t available.
  • Our horses are never stalled unless the vet or farrier is here. They can come and go from their shelter as they please.
  • Hay or quality forage should be on the ground to mimic natural grazing positions; not up on a wall. We use hay feeder boxes to keep their hay low without risking it mixing with manure.
  • Salt blocks are always provided in stalls and out to keep the horses thirsty and drinking.
  • I add roughly one cup of warm water to each feed ration. It softens the feed allowing the food to better pass through the horse’s cecum, colon and jinunum—an inconveniently designed intestinal system that makes sharp 90° turns inside the body. Watery food means better flow through these GI pathways.
  • Pre- and probiotics help to maintain a healthy microbiome within the horse’s gut. We feed both to our horses via supplements from @strideanimalhealth (side note: use code AXE&ROOT for 5% off).
  • We no longer feed grain since we learned Dozer doesn’t digest it well. We now feed @purinafeedgreatness Enrich for vitamins and MannaPro Renew Gold for fats, omegas and acids.

​
I'm happy to say that since implementing these practices we've managed to completely avoid colic cases thus far. I hope this information is helpful!
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    Angela is the farmer and content creator behind Axe & Root Homestead LLC. This historic six-acre permaculture farm is home to two Clydesdale horses, ten honeybee hives, five sheep, two guardian dogs, barn cats and a flock of 40 geese and ducks. The farm produces maple syrup, fruit from a small orchard and loads of garden produce for consumption, preservation and donation to the local food pantry.

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