Itchy heels

[beating_hooves]

I have a horse that is always trying to itch her heels and it seems to really irritate her! The vet can't see anything wrong but gave her an injection for mites and I wash them with mite shampoo but I can feel a couple of small scabs in her heel but its not sore, could it be mudfever or what?

[Joyscarer]

I wonder if it is worth getting the vet on the phone and explaining that you still have the problem. He might suggest taking a skin scrapping.

[gingeremmie]

Did the injection for mites make any difference, even if only for a few days?

I believe the injection kills the live mites but not any eggs so you can get a situation where the jab kills the live mites but then the eggs hatch and you need another jab about 2 weeks later to kill the baby mites before they get chance to lay eggs.

I've always got away with just one jab though.

[chunky monkey]

Have you noticed your horse stamping its back legs on the ground at all, or it might stand backed up to a gate and hit its leg against the gate. These symptoms can be mites. Mites can't be seen to the naked eye, and having read up on the internet recently there are several different types of mites. Some long and thin, others more round. Some burrow, some live on the skin.

Try pig oil and sulphur. Has been recommend by several others on here recently and I have just brought some to use on mine. I haven't seen him stamping his back legs since I've treated a week ago. Its good for mud fever as well so they say. Although I still have a few scabs which haven't cleared up. I've tried a number of the below recommendations as well. Mines been itching for 3 months now.

Other things recommended:
Frontline flea spray for cats and dogs.
Equest or Eqvalan wormer.
Noromectin Sheep Drench applied directly to the legs.
Benzl Benzoate available from your chemist.
Detomax Injections

These things are some of the things recommend. What works for one horse might not work for another. Of course I think it also depends on the type of mite that you need to treat for. It is a case of trial and error.

[NoviceNic]

DOnt waste anymore time and money on it. I can guarantee that Pig Oil and Sulphur will clear it and relieve your horses itching. FOr 11yrs my cob has suffered with what is very common in feathered friends. Pig Oil and Sulphur and the sores and scabs are lifting off. :cool:

[gingeremmie]

DOnt waste anymore time and money on it. I can guarantee that Pig Oil and Sulphur will clear it and relieve your horses itching. FOr 11yrs my cob has suffered with what is very common in feathered friends. Pig Oil and Sulphur and the sores and scabs are lifting off. :cool:

But it didn't work on my HW cob - so how can you guarantee it? Dectomax injections did.

It really is horses for courses!

[coyote]

pig oil and sulpher,as long as you get the mix right it should eleviate the problem.:D:D

[coyote]

clip on search on the tool bar and type in itchy heels ,it will come up with all the threads about this problem ,read through them and pick out what you feel is appropriate for you,my lad was on antibiotics after antibiotics for horrific sorea in his feathers, my vet said not to clip them off as i would make it worse,so i rang my hubbys cousin who breeds,shows and judges shire horses.he said pig oil and sulpher,so i tried it and miracle he hasnt had a sore since!!!!!! ive recomended it to alot of people on here and they have reported a massive improvement,surely it is worth a try to see if it works for you,it really is a cheaper option than having a vets bill!!!
heres a pic of my lads feathers,now is it worth a try????

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/nellys%20shows/Image011.jpg

[eventerbabe]

the injections worked well for us too. My cob had 2. But aswell as that he had regular (2-3 times a week) treatment with Carr Day&Martin lice killing wash and all scabs were softened using sudocream and removed. I soaked all his boots, bandages, pads etc. in the lice killing wash too. Also replaced the vast majority of his bedding in his stable and clipped all his feathers off. 6 months later we are scab and mite free!

[Joyscarer]

Won't your vet have a phone call with you to discuss it? Mine does this for free if about a treatment Joy has just undergone.