b'CUT THE LEG CRUDtopical therapy. She adds that veterinar-ians often recommend hydrotherapy (cold hosing), as well.Contact DermatitisCauses Direct contact with a substance (such as hoof paints applied above the coronary band, topical medications such as neomycin or antimicrobials, or grass) or abrasion (from sandy pastures) result-ing in irritation can cause these inflam-matory skin lesions. They can become secondarily infected with opportunistic organisms such as Dermatophilus congo-lensis (the bacterium that causes rain rot) or Staphylococcus.PAM MACKENZIESigns Moderate itching, hair loss, skin redness.Prevention Find and eliminate the cause, though Fadok says it can be trickyYour veterinarian might take a biopsy to diagnose the cause of cellulitis and guide treatment.to diagnose. In the case of grass, youd need to take your horse off the pastureyour premises can help, as can regularbest way to open the area up to air, but and see if he improves, then put him backexams and fetlock hygiene for heavilymany people have these breeds because on it and see if he flares again. feathered breeds. For severe disease, shethey love the feathers, and it can take a Treatment Fadok advises washing thesays, shaving the fetlocks would be thelong time to grow them back out.area with a gentle antiseptic shampoo (diluted, because it can be caustic when concentrated; learn about its proper- Sties under mange below) and applyingSTTOOPPTTHHEESSTTOOMMPP!!emollients such as petroleum jelly, balms that contain essential oils, or diaper-rash-type creams, all of which provide aUse loose- tting, chemical free duringy season barrier against the irritating substance. If secondary bacterial infection occurs, askto prevent painfuly bites and reduce stressful stomping.your veterinarian about adding an oral antibiotic. Prevents Botflies from laying eggs causing hoof damage Decreases healing time of abrasions and wounds Mange by allowing air flowCauses Horses are susceptible to Easy to attach, comfortable to wear and will not sag three types of this mite species; however,due to their unique sewn-in plastic staysChorioptes is most common on the legs. Chorioptes bovis mites (formerly C. equi) feed on skin cells and secretions. The con-dition is most common in draft breeds with heavy fetlock feathering.Signs Variable pruritic (itchy) derma-titis with self-induced hair loss, crusting, and skin redness. Signs are more com-mon in the winter.Prevention Peters-Kennedy says she doesnt know of a valid preventive method, although some people administer ivermectin, a dewormer that could poten- Colors Available Exclusively Distributed By:tially kill Chorioptes mites. It isnt a greatPink, Blue and Orangetreatment, though, because C. bovis is aSizes Availablesurface feeder rather than a blood feeder. Mini, Pony/DonkeyYearling, Small www.shooflyleggins.com QUALITYSERVICEINNOVATIONFadok adds that because mange is con- Medium and Large Sizes Patented DesignUS6508205B1 www.stonemfg.nettagious, inspecting any horses entering TheHorse.com|The HorseApril 202013'