Cowboy Bob's Questions and Answers - page 240 - How can I help heal my horse's rope burn?

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QUESTION:
Please could you tell me how to help heal my horse's rope burn? It is on his back leg right above his hoof. I have been at it for almost two weeks....

Thanks so much.

Bye,
T. H.

ANSWER:

Are you certain your horse suffered a rope burn? The condition you describe sounds very similar to what is called "scratches." Scratches is a skin disease that appears on the back side of the pastern or fetlock and is more common on the hind legs. Whichever it is, the treatment is the same. Trim off the hair in the affected area, clean it regularly with warm water and soap, cover the area with an antiseptic dressing (I also like to add hydrocortisone cream), and keep it covered with a bandage -- being careful to not cut off the blood flow to the foot. Aloe vera also seems to be good at promoting healing, but it's no replacement for an antiseptic. It's also important to keep the horse's stall or paddock as clean as possible so the wound doesn't keep getting reinfected. Finally, be sure your horse's shots are up to date so it doesn't get infected by tetanus.

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