Cob has itchy heels

[Supercali]

I have noticed that my cob stamps his back feet very occasionally, normally just before he is worked. He brings his foot right up to his sheath and then stamps it down.

I have read about mites and so checked his heels but they look okay and I cant see any scabs or anything but when I scratched his heel, they were definitely itchy by the look on his face.

Can you see mites or are they so small we cannot see them? Any other suggestions for what it could be?

I washed them with diluted hibiscrub but the next day he was still the same. I am going to the vets tomorrow and so can pick up Frontline spray but there anything that will soothe the itching?

[vjoy23]

I'm going through the same thing with my cob mare at the moment. Does your cob try and chew his legs if they're itching that badly? I had my mare tested for mites but the results came up negative although the vet seems to think that there is still some kind of mite on her legs. We've had her legs clipped and been applying frontline every so often which has seemed to help. The whole reason for the legs been clipped was apparently mites hate sunlight. Also been washing legs with hibiscrub which itself doesn't seem to have any effect but atleast I'm trying all I can for her. If your cob does come up as having mites then there is an injection available which is primarily used on cattle I think. Gold label mite power also helps and protocon as my mare has flakey skin under her heals. There is an advert in H&H for a product that stops itching and cracking hoofs etc which I may try if frontline doesn't carry on working.

[Supercali]

No, he hasn't been trying to chew them - yet!

I have also read that ivermectin wormer helps kill off mites. I have been using Equest, so maybe this is another route to try if all else fails.

I was wondering if maybe I hadn't rinsed the shampoo off his legs thoroughly or if he had caught some sort of mite from our hacks out on the riverbank?

His legs were trimmed before I got him but they probably need doing again. I have used calamine lotion in the past for itchy tails and might try it on his legs to help soothe them. I don't want him to be suffering - I think I would go mad if I had itchy legs all the time. (Note - he doesn't seem to be bothered when he is eating! :p )

[Brandy]

Must be a cob thing! Luke stamps and kicks his back foot on occasions and likes nothing better than having it scratched for him. His previous owner said he had cracked heels over the Winter which caused it, can't see anything though so not sure

[Pickles]

My cob does this pretty much everyday, but all poking and prodding under his feathers doesn't seem to show the cause.

He also chews himself, not just under the feathers, further up his legs as well. He looks like he's going to do the splits trying to reach his back legs!

After a bit of stamping and chewing he goes back to his grazing, so I don't think it's anything serious. Liberal fly spray also seems to stop it, so I wonder if it's just the general flies annoying him.

[eventerbabe]

my cob used to do that when i left him with feathers. now i clip them off and the problem has stopped. i was clipping them on sunday and you'd be suprised at the build up of heat they get in there, must be darn uncomfortable. toby looked visibly relieved when i'd removed all this feather!!

[andreaB]

my friend clips her cobs legs & puts , i think benzal benzate? on them , its white lotion that she buys from the chemist , does the trick in his case anyway