Axe & Root Homestead

  • Home
  • Blog
  • SHOP
  • social
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • Meet The Animals
    • The Ducks
    • The Clydesdales
  • Resources
    • Printables
    • Classes
    • Recipes
  • PODCAST
  • Home
  • Blog
  • SHOP
  • social
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • Meet The Animals
    • The Ducks
    • The Clydesdales
  • Resources
    • Printables
    • Classes
    • Recipes
  • PODCAST

Treating Horse Scratches

1/13/2021

 
Picture
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.
Picture

Comments are closed.

    Picture
    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.

      Let's Keep in touch

      Be the first to hear any big announcements or exciting offers from Axe & Root Homestead!
      Type your email address in the field below. Then click submit.
      ​Your information will not be sold or shared with any other party.
    Subscribe to Newsletter

    The Sustainable Homestead, is out for pre-order NOW!

    Categories

    All
    Animal Husbandry
    Beekeeping
    Growing
    Holiday
    Horse Care
    Permaculture
    Sheep Keeping
    Simple Living
    The Flock

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    January 2021
    December 2020

    Let's keep in touch

    Be the first to hear any big announcements or exciting offers from Axe & Root Homestead!  Your information will not be sold or shared with any other party.
    Type your email address in the field below. Then click submit.
Subscribe to Newsletter
Email inquiries can be sent to
​AxeAndRootHomestead [at] gmail.com.
©2022 Axe and Root Homestead LLC. All rights reserved.