Cracked Heels in Horses: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Cracked heels is a term referring to dermatitis (swelling of the skin) of the heel, back of the pastern, and even back of the fetlock in horses. Dermatitis can result from trauma, as well as bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections.  

Cracked heels is a lay term, or common term, for pastern dermatitis; other terms often used are scratches, greasy heel, mud fever, mud rash, and dew poisoning.  

What Are Cracked Heels in Horses?

Cracked heels is a skin condition of the heel, pastern, and fetlock, and less frequently the cannon bone. In its mildest form, skin becomes dry, irritated, and chapped, leading to reddening, swelling, and itchiness.  

Cracked heels is extremely common in geographic locations with high rainfall or environmental moisture, and stables or stalls that are wet or under-bedded.  

Horses with heavy fur, feathering around the legs, or white lower legs are more prone to pastern dermatitis and the associated infection. Common breeds matching this description include Clydesdales, Gypsy Vanners, and Friesians.

Symptoms of Cracked Heels in Horses

Cracked heels can come with various symptoms. The severity of these symptoms relates to the cause of the dermatitis itself (bacteria, fungus, parasite) and how long it has been going on. Lesions are specific to the backside of the leg but, in severe cases, they can extend around the limb. 

Signs of cracked heels include: 

• Swelling  

• Skin redness   

• Cracks in the skin 

• Itchiness (pruritis) 

• Sensitivity to touch 

• Dry scaling 

• Crusting 

• Erosions 

• Ulceration 

• Lameness 

• Oozing 

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels is a result of excessive moisture in contact with the skin of the lower legs, leading to skin chapping and cracking, and allowing for infection.  

Common causes include: 

• Mud 

• Wet pasture  

• Unhygienic living environment 

• Bedding with excess moisture 

• Shared leg wraps 

• Sunlight (causing burns) 

• Bacteria 

• Fungi 

• Parasites 

Diagnosing Cracked Heels in Horses

Cracked heels is generally diagnosed on physical exam. 

If infection is suspected, a veterinarian may take skin scrape samples, cultures, or even a biopsy of the skin to determine the cause of infection.  

Treatment of Cracked Heels in Horses

Early in the disease, cracked heels can cause skin cracks, redness, and irritation of the lower leg, particularly along the back of the pastern and the heel. These symptoms can be managed with appropriate antimicrobial shampoos and other topical therapies, along with quick correction of the environment.  

Immediately give the horse a dry place to stay, keep them out of mud, water, or wet pastures, and ensure the bedding in their stall is cleaned frequently and kept dry. 

Many horse owners treat mild cracked heels with correction of the environment and over-the-counter products.  

Typically, the affected area is gently clipped to remove excess hair, especially feathers, and cleaned with a gentle antiseptic.   

All of this must be done gently to prevent further damage or irritation to the skin. Antimicrobial shampoos are used according to label instructions—typically, they are scrubbed to create suds, left on the affected area to soak for a time, and then rinsed. It is very important to dry the area after it is washed! 

If cracked heels does not improve very quickly, or is severe once it is recognized, it’s important to involve your veterinarian to ensure you are using the correct products. A veterinarian can ensure you are treating the skin correctly before the condition spreads or becomes deeper, leading to more severe symptoms and long-term issues. 

If the condition is severe, systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, or steroids may be necessary.  

Treatment and resolution of cracked heels is dependent on early and accurate diagnosis.

Recovery and Management of Heel Cracks in Horses

Never pick at or peel the areas affected by pastern dermatitis, and let the medications do their work.  

Giving your horse a clean, dry place to reside is the best possible help. Deep, dry shavings that are cleaned regularly to ensure they are fresh also minimize irritation and support healing.  

While horses recover from cracked heels, supplements that support healthy skin are a valuable addition to their diet.  

Prevention of Cracked Heels in Horses

A clean, dry environment is the absolute best way to prevent cracked heels. In wet seasons or climates, be sure your horse has a dry place to get away from moisture and mud. Additionally, you can: 

• Maintain good hygiene of the lower legs by cleaning/clipping feathers regularly. 

• Turn horses out in pastures after the dew has dried, and when it’s not raining.

• Clean and dry lower legs once horses come in from turnout.