How to Treat Grease Heel in Horses

Greasy heel, also known as scratches, is a condition that can cause irritating sores and other skin and hair problems on your horse’s legs. It is caused when the animal is exposed to prolonged wet conditions and begins to scratch its irritated skin in response. Clean the affected areas and provide medical treatment to heal any infections caused by the scratching. Make sure to care for your horse as it heals. Most importantly, keep it away from dampness and dirt.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Washing the Affected Site

1
Trim hair from the affected spots. Use clippers to remove any long hair from the sore area(s). This will help keep the area dry and prevent dirt or debris from accumulating and worsening the problem.
- Only clip long hair. Avoid trying to clip any short hair that is close to the sores, since this can irritate your horse.
- Some breeds have long feathers around their legs and hooves. While it's against breed standards to trim the feathers, it's best to do so to prevent the sores from worsening. The feathers trap in dirt and bacteria, making it hard for your horse to heal.
2
Wash the sore areas. Use a mild horse soap and warm (but not hot) water to gently lift away any dirt from the area affected by scratches. To avoid irritation, only go over the area once with a wet, soft cloth, and do not scrub.
- You can use a kitchen sponge instead of a soft cloth.
- Wash the affected site once a day while it heals.
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3
Dry the area. Washing the scratches sores is essential to healing them, but the area must not stay wet. Immediately after washing the site, gently pat it dry with a clean, fresh towel.
- General recommendations do not require you to bandage the area.
Leave the area unbandaged and open so that air can circulate around it. You should also allow your horse time in sunlight. Air and sunlight are essential for helping your horse heal without antibiotics. The sunlight will kill the bacteria on the sores.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Healing the Sores

For horses, as with humans, picking at scabs can cause irritation. Instead, wait for the scabs to naturally fall off. Daily washing should help.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Wash the area with Betadine. This iodine-based antiseptic is very effective at clearing up wounds. You can purchase a premixed Betadine solution. Squirt or spray the solution onto the wound using a bottle or syringe. You do not need to rinse after application.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Do not use chlorhexidine scrubs or solutions on the wounds, as it is toxic to new cell growth and repair. This will delay your horse's healing process.
3
Use a simple salve. After applying Betadine, wait for the wound site to dry or gently pat it dry with a fresh, clean cloth. Then gently rub some Desitin in. This product is a normal diaper rash cream, readily available at any pharmacy, but is also useful for healing wounds.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMichigan State University ExtensionExtension program of Michigan State University focused on community outreach, education, and engagementGo to source}
- You can use Corona ointment instead of Desitin. It should be available at an equine supply store. Take extra care to keep the horse away from dirt and dust, however, since this type of ointment attracts debris.
4
Ask a vet about antibacterial and antifungal medications. Scratches can be caused by bacteria and/or a fungus. A veterinarian can examine your horse and decide which type of medication to prescribe. Give the medication exactly as the vet instructs you to.
- A vet may prescribe other medications for a horse suffering from scratches, including Dexamethasone for inflammation.
- Some vets prepare their own homemade scratches ointment, which you may be able to use instead. These products can be stronger than over-the-counter options since they are made with medications only available to vets. Ask your vet if they sell the ointment or if they can recommend someone who does.
5
Have wounds cauterized, if necessary. After examining your horse, a vet may determine that sores on the affected site may need to be surgically burned, or cauterized. This might sound a little intense, but it is a fairly simple procedure that can be a good way to stop infection and encourage the site to heal.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Carefully follow the vet’s instructions for post-procedure care.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Horse Clean and Dry

Dirty, wet conditions contribute to scratches. After you have begun to treat the problem, you don't want to send your horse right back to the source of the problem. Instead, remove all the old bedding and replace it with new, clean, dry material.
2
Keep the horse out of the mud. Ensure that the horse remains in clean, dry conditions outside of the stall as well. Avoid taking it through any muddy terrain while it is healing.
- If conditions are dry, you can let your horse out to pasture while it heals.
- If conditions are wet, do not keep your horse cooped up in the stall. Instead, hand walk it or otherwise keep an eye on it to ensure it stays out the mud.
- Alternatively, you can wrap a Telfa non-stick pad over the ointment and then cover it with a light Vetwrap while your horse is turned out. Remove the cover as soon as your horse is back in its stall.
3
Clean and dry the horse’s equipment. Hobbies, boots, and other materials can carry dirt or bacteria. They should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before using them on your horse again.
- You can wash your horse's equipment as you normally would, using soap and warm water. The key thing is to let everything dry completely before putting the gear back on your horse.
Healing time depends greatly on the weather and the severity of your horse's case of scratches. If the weather has been dry and your horse's scratches have not healed, see a vet for further treatment.
5
Prevent future outbreaks by maintaining dry conditions. Scratches can come back if your horse is exposed to wet and unsanitary conditions again. Do everything you can to keep your horse from prolonged exposure to dampness and dirt.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Get in the habit of applying a thin layer of sunscreen to your horse's pasterns if it is prone to scratches. This often works as a preventative measure.
- If mud and standing water are a common problem in your pasture, talk to a landscaper about improving pasture drainage.
- Likewise, if mud in your horse's stall is a frequent problem, ask a contractor to suggest improvements to the structure that will stop the issue.
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