Cracked Heels

[Supernova]

I have a filly who had cracked heels and they are just beginning to clear up. Now she has developed an infection on the top of her foot just above the coronet band that looks very similar to the cracked heels. On her two back feet you can't see it, you can just feel some scabs under the fur if you run your hand along it. One front foot is really bad , it covers almost the whole top of it and looks very infected. The other is not as bad but looks as if it could develop into the same thing. It seems to become irritated after I ride her through the snow. Has anyone ever experienced this?

[yukidragon]

Try this site.
http://www.horseadvice.com/

[Jessi P]

One thing I do that helps at the track is to shave their legs to the ankle with a pair of clippers. Almost all of my horses stand well for this... amazingly so, as one would expect a racehorse to freak out when having their fetlocks clipped with noisy clippers! The key to healing is dryness, and long shaggy hair keeps moisture in there. Clipping the hair off, towel drying every time the legs get wet and making sure they are brushed clean (no dirt or dust) helps promote healing. You can also try desitin or a similar zinc oxide type ointment (for barrier protection), triple antibiotic (for barrier protection with antibiotic properties) or panalog for bad cases. Again, clean and dry is the key. If its just general crud, apply some MTG for 2-3 days (shake well and use a glove, that stuff is oily and you dont want it on your skin all day) and the crud should fall off with a good scrubbing with Ivory or castille soap. Then you can shave and keep them dry. We are fighting it hard now with this weather and the chemicals on the track.. seems as though everyone's horses have it right now. Best of luck!

[TrueColours]

okay here you go:

I have got the absolute BEST treatment for this! (and I have a lot of horses with white legs that suffer from them as well)
This will literally clear them up in a day or so, and then keep an eye on it after that but usually no more treatment is necessary
Go the to drug store and buy either a jar of Ihle's Paste, or Zinc ointment (you will find it in the baby section)
Mix in about 1/4 cup of vinegar, some antibiotic (I use either a syringe I get from the vet called Special Formula, that they use to treat mastitis on cows, and use the whole one mixed into the jar of paste) or you can also get ordinary penicillin, and mix about 75-100 cc's in the paste.
Break open some vitamin E capsules - I will usually use about 10-15 per jar, and then get either Flex Free, or some shark cartilage, or chondroitin sulfate and mix in about 1/4 cup full into the mixture.
The antibiotic attacks any fungal infection, the vinegar maintains a proper ph level, the chondroitin sulfate aids in repairing tissue as does the vitamin E, and the zinc acts as a barrier
Cover the affected area thickly - dont try and pick off any of the scabs beforehand, and cover with
a diaper, or a gauze/cotton combination, and then wrap with 1/2 a roll of Vetrap. I have left it on for 2-3 days, as long as it hasnt slipped or gotten mucked up, but usually will leave it on for a good day - day and a half at least
Voila! as soon as you take it off, the scabs are gone, there is new pink skin underneath and the horse isnt sore anymore
I have never found anything that works better - no matter how much it sells for in the store. This combination is amazing

Good luck!

[Supernova]

Thanks for the help, I will try have to try that.

[SIBONEY]

a bit expensive, but effective is "Panalog" from your vet. Stay clear of Blue Kote as it seems to seal in the fungus. keep them dry and clean. good luck .