scratches

["jcmiller" <jcmiller@jackpine.com>]

Tara, I have a variety of things that I do with scratches.  Maggie gets them
from the sand and I have to check her every night.  I mix 3 heaping
teaspoons of furazon, 2 - 3 inches of desitin, and a packet of azium (get
from the vet).  I wash with antibacterial soap but sheath cleaner with tea
tree oil is better, rinse, and then dry.  Slap on the above mix, and wrap
those pasterns.  It takes about 2 days for Maggie's scratches to clear up.
Then generic hemoroid creme does wonders to keep those pasterns nice and
smooth.  Also dog ear medicine otomax works quite well.  The secret is to
wash, let the soap sit for awhile to get all those scabs loosened, rinse,
put on the junk, and then wrap.  Mags has 4000 miles under her belt, I have
fought scratches every inch of the way, and she has remained sound.  I did
150 miles of the Sh to Sh this summer (Wed, Thurs, and Frid) and used zinc
oxide at every vet check since it was allowed.  This helped to keep the
scratches at a dull roar.  Also waterproof, non oily sunscreen works quite
well.  Choose your poison and decide what works best on your horse.  Jeanie