🩺 Cracked Heels (Greasy Heel): A Vet’s 2025 Guide | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Meta description: 🐎 A comprehensive 2025 vet’s guide on cracked heels in horses—recognise stages, treat effectively, and prevent recurrence with Ask A Vet support.

1. 🧠 What Are “Cracked Heels”?

“Cracked heels,” also called greasy heel, mud fever, or pastern dermatitis, is a common skin issue in horses caused by prolonged exposure to wet and dirty environments. Bacteria—most commonly Dermatophilus congolensis—attack softened skin on the pastern and heel, causing inflammation, sticky discharge, then scabs and painful cracks :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2. ⚠️ Why It Matters

Though it rarely causes lameness, cracked heels are painful and can progress to deeper infections if untreated. Left unchecked, the skin thickens, cracks, and risk of cellulitis or lymphangitis increases :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

3. 🔍 Recognising the Clinical Stages

• Early inflammation: Red, swollen, tender skin just above the hoof.
• Weeping and matted hair: Sticky serum collects, often crusting on the pastern :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Scab formation: Sticky serum dries to thick, painful crusts and scabs.
• Cracked and raw: Scabs lead to bleeding cracks, discomfort, and possible secondary infection.

In severe cases, thickened calloused skin predisposes to deeper tissue problems :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

4. 🩺 Who Is at Risk?

• Horses standing in wet paddocks, mud, or damp stalls :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Feathered legs trap moisture and protect bacteria :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Light-colored or pink-skinned pasterns—sunburn worsens irritation :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Ponies and certain breeds that tolerate wet ground less well.

5. 🧪 Diagnosis

Diagnosis is generally based on clinical appearance and history. In chronic or unusual cases, bacterial culture may confirm D. congolensis :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

6. 🆘 Treatment Protocol

6.1 Environmental Management

Move the horse to dry paddocks or oversized shelters during wet conditions. Regularly clean stalls and paddocks to reduce moisture and bacterial load :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

6.2 Cleaning & Trimming

• Clip lower legs and feathers to aid drying :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Bathtub gently using mild antibacterial shampoo or warm antiseptic solution; remove scabs while skin is wet—sedation may help if required :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

6.3 Drying Thoroughly

After washing, ensure complete drying using clean towels and drying agents to avoid trapping moisture beneath scabs or bandages :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

6.4 Topical Barrier & Antibacterial Care

Apply barrier creams like zinc oxide, petroleum jelly, Corona ointment, vitamin E, or specialized cracked heel ointment daily until healing :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}. Severe cases may need antimicrobial products such as Equiderma zinc paste :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

6.5 Bandaging

In advanced cases, bandages may protect but can trap moisture—change daily and ensure skin is dry between applications :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

6.6 Vet Intervention

• Use oral or injectable antibiotics if infection is deep or spreading.
• Systemic anti-inflammatories (e.g., NSAIDs) ease pain and swelling.
• Culture and sensitivity testing guide antibiotic choice.

7. 💬 Ask A Vet: Ongoing Treatment Support

• 📸 Send photos or video of lesions to evaluate healing progress.
• 📝 Receive tailored topical treatment and bandaging plans.
• 📆 Get reminders for cleaning, reapplication, and monitoring steps.
• 🎓 Join webinars by Dr Houston on skin management and stable hygiene.

8. 🔄 Follow-Up & Healing Timeline

• Reassess weekly—look for reduced swelling, no drainage, smooth skin.
• Continue cleaning and barrier applications until lumps are fully healed.
• Monitor for relapses following rain or wet turnout.

9. 🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Maintain dry paddocks and well-drained stalls.
• Clip feathered legs in wet seasons to improve airflow.
• Clean legs daily during wet weather; apply barrier creams before turnout :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Avoid tight leg boots in damp conditions; disinfect equipment frequently :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Educate staff to spot early signs and act promptly.

10. 📉 Prognosis

With diligent care, most horses fully recover within 2–4 weeks. Severe or recurrent cases require sustained environmental control. Rarely lameness or cellulitis may develop if untreated :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

11. ❓ FAQs

Is cracked heels the same as hoof abscess?

No—abscesses are deeper pus pockets in the hoof. However, cracked heels may allow bacteria to enter nearby tissues, increasing abscess risk :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.

Can cracked heels cause laminitis?

Yes—severe inflammation or infection can trigger systemic effects, predisposing the horse to laminitis :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

Are barrier creams safe?

Yes—products like Corona ointment and zinc oxide form protective shields and soothe healing skin :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

How often should I treat in wet seasons?

Daily cleaning and barrier application during turnout seasons keeps skin healthy and prevents recurrences :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.

12. ✅ Final Takeaway

• Cracked heels are caused by bacterial skin infection in wet environments.
• Recognize early signs—clean, dry, and treat before cracks form.
• Use antibacterial wash, barrier creams, and environmental management.
• Prevent recurrence by maintaining dryness, clipping, and hygiene.
• Ask A Vet provides customized care plans and proactive support for managing this condition 💙

🐾 Notice Cracked Skin on Your Horse?

If you spot inflammation, scabs, or cracked pasterns, send images via Ask A Vet. I’ll help you assess severity, choose treatments, and create a tailored prevention plan—so your horse stays pain-free and sound. 🐎💞