belgian draft horse eczema

Question
Dear Lyn

Let me start by appologising for my terrible english.

I own a belgian draft horse, she's a pregnant mere. I have noticed she has bumps on her back feet. Most of the bumps are (i guess) scratched open, without hair and bloody, my vet says it is probably Eczema because this is a common problem with this breed. How could i treat this?

thanks in advance


Answer
Noortje,

Don't appologize for your English!  I got your meaning.  You don't say where on your mare's feet these bumps are.  Are they in the heel area, back of the ankle, or around the coronet band?  In either case I suspect a fungal infection which is common in draft breeds because of the feathering on the lower legs.  Your mare is pregnant so you have to be careful what you use on her.  Make a mixture of 15 drops of tea tree oil per ounce of witch hazel.  Spray the affected areas twice a day.  You don't need to rub this in, just spray the area.  Keep the area clean and dry as much as possible to assist healing.  You should see improvement in a couple of days.  Keep her legs clean and dry to help prevent recurrence of the problem.  

Let me know how this works for you.  

Lyn