Hi, could this be the beginning of scratches or pastern dermatitis? Horse leg is slightly swollen and sensitive when i touch it tia.
In my experience, yes. The horizontal lines are often this on my horse, later turning into full scabs. Lots of posts about treatments on here… Seems everyone has their own concoction. I would go ahead and start treating as scratches.
Did your horse had his legs swollen ?
Me, too.
Yes. It starts in the pastern and if I miss it, swelling will travel up. Even if I treat sometimes that happens. She actually has it right now in her white foot, and while it doesn’t look like bad scratches, it’s a little swollen and she’s a little unsound. Not horribly, but not really wanting to bring it forward as much (it’s a hind, and it seems scratches is more common starting in the hind).
Personally, I wash with ketoconazole or just chlorhexadine wash 2-3x/week and use an ointment or spray in between. I’ve had good luck with resolve spray from hayguard, zinc oxide, nustock (sulfur)… I keep a bunch on hand as it seems like it doesn’t always respond to the same thing.