Scratches, also called pastern dermatitis, dew poisoning, greasy heel, or mud fever, is a multifactorial reaction pattern commonly seen on a horse's lower legs. It's caused by a variety of skin diseases, including bacterial, fungal, viral, immune-mediated, and more.
Causes of Pastern Dermatitis include:
What does scratches look like?
Ways to manage scratches in horses
Work with your veterinarian to get scratches under control and prevent secondary bacterial infections.