Q. My horse has scratches on all four legs. It's not really bad (yet), but I've tried just about everything: hydrocortiderm, toothpaste (yes, toothpaste!), keeping the stall dry, drying her legs after exercise, everything! It will almost go away, just to return again. Many other stable mates and horses at other stables have the same problem. Vets can't find a fungus. We have had an extremely wet fall and winter (in the Netherlands), so that is probably why my mare has this problem, but how do I get rid of it?

A. Scratches can be caused by various fungal or bacterial organisms. Whatever the infective organism turns out to be, it is obviously contagious in your situation. Most fungal and bacterial equine skin infections will resolve on their own over a period of time IF reinfection isn't constantly allowed to occur. I suspect that is what is happening in your case. Just as your mare begins to heal from one infection, she picks up another from her living environment. Basically, anything that comes into direct physical contact with your horse could potentially transmit the infective organism back onto your horse's legs. It is essential that you not share grooming equipment or tack with any other horses. Because some of these organisms can survive in the environment for *years*, it is important to disinfect everything with which this mare comes into contact with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 20 parts water) - that means all grooming equipment, stable supplies, stall walls, even fencing on which she may lean or rub. This is your only chance of breaking the infective cycle.

Although I am not a vet and would definitely not recommend your following my advice without consultation with your own vet, I will tell you how I would attempt to handle a similar situation with my own horse. Since many of these organisms thrive in damp situations, I would be inclined to clip my horse's legs to prevent the hair from holding moisture against the legs. I would also be careful to keep the legs as dry as possible, including not allowing the horse outside until the dew had burned off the grass in the morning. However, I would definitely put the horse out to pasture on sunny days. The sun has a significant healing effect on many skin infections (unless, of course, the horse is photosensitive). I would avoid washing the legs as much as possible (again, not wanting to dampen the skin unless absolutely necessary) but would probably try different medications to try to kill the infective organism. If the organism proved fungal, I would use a fungicidal product (some of the human athlete's foot medications are occasionally used for this purpose). If the infective organism was determined to be bacterial, I would use a topical antibiotic medication.

I would not bandage the legs, though I would take reasonable precautions to prevent injury or irritation to the skin on the legs. Infective organisms are opportunistic and will more quickly invade thin, broken, or irritated skin. Skin which is subjected to insect bites may also be made more susceptible to infection. Young animals, those who are poorly nourished, and those who are kept in poorly ventilated, damp, sunless environments are also particularly susceptible.

I wish you luck in combating this skin condition. It's going to be very difficult to overcome unless you can effectively disinfect your mare's living environment, but sunnier and drier days will definitely help.

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