What causes greasy heel to spread up the pastern?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Greasy heel can spread up the pastern when the skin in that area stays damp, dirty or irritated for long enough. It often starts low down around the heels, then moves upwards because the same skin inflammation and moisture are affecting a larger area. There can be several possible causes, so it’s worth checking the skin carefully rather than assuming it’s just mud.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the skin is worse after turnout, muddy conditions, or prolonged stable time with wet legs.

2. Look for scabs, crusting, redness, swelling, oozing, heat or sore patches as far up as the pastern.

3. Note whether the horse is stamping, lifting the leg, or seems uncomfortable when the area is touched or cleaned.

4. Check both legs. If only one is affected, it may point towards a local irritation or injury rather than a general management issue.

5. Think about recent changes such as washing, clipping, new turnout, deeper mud, or more time standing in wet bedding.

6. Look at the skin between the fetlock and pastern for small breaks, rubbed areas or thickened crusts that may have started spreading.

7. Check whether the leg is puffy, more sensitive than usual, or developing a smell, which can suggest the skin barrier is compromised.

Common Causes

The most common reason is ongoing moisture combined with skin irritation. Mud, wet bedding, sweat and repeated washing can soften the skin and make it easier for irritation to spread upwards.

Another common cause is friction or rubbing from boots, bandages, clippers or coarse mud, which can make the problem extend beyond the heel area.

Skin infection or secondary bacterial involvement can also play a part, especially if the skin is cracked, weeping or becoming more inflamed.

Less commonly, an underlying skin sensitivity or another skin condition may be contributing, which is why cases that keep returning or spread despite good care need a closer look.

What To Do

Keep the area as clean and dry as you reasonably can without over-washing it. Gentle cleaning, careful drying and reducing time in wet, muddy conditions can all help support the skin.

Try to avoid picking at scabs or scrubbing hard, as that can make the irritation spread further. Keep an eye on whether the area is improving, staying the same or getting worse over a few days.

If possible, limit repeated exposure to mud and wet ground until the skin settles. Check tack, boots and bandages for rubbing, and make sure stable bedding is not staying damp.

If the problem keeps spreading, comes back often, or the horse looks uncomfortable, it’s sensible to ask your vet for advice so the skin can be properly assessed.

Products That May Help

Keeping legs clean and dry is often part of managing greasy heel, especially when mud and damp bedding are making the skin worse. A practical cleaning routine can make day-to-day care easier.

Hoof, Leg & Mud Care

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