What should I check if my horse’s heels are swollen and crusty? | arlo.® Atlas
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Overview
If your horse’s heels are swollen and crusty, it’s often a sign of greasy heel, mud fever-type skin irritation, or a similar skin issue around the lower leg. The key thing is to check the skin closely, note how sore or swollen it is, and look for anything that could be making it worse.
There can be more than one cause, and the same-looking crusts can happen with mud, damp bedding, skin sensitivity or bacterial involvement. You usually can’t tell the exact cause from appearance alone, but you can spot useful clues at home.
Things To Check
1. Check whether it’s one leg or more than one, and whether the swelling is limited to the heels or spreading up the leg.
2. Look closely for redness, heat, cracked skin, scabs, discharge, matted hair or a greasy or sticky feel to the area.
3. Feel whether the horse is uncomfortable when you touch the heels, pick up the foot or flex the limb.
4. Check if the problem is worse after muddy turnout, wet bedding, washing the legs or exercise in damp conditions.
5. Look at the skin higher up the leg and around the fetlock for any similar patches, because the issue may not be limited to the heels.
6. Note whether the horse is lame, short-striding or reluctant to move, as that can change how urgently it needs assessing.
7. Think about recent changes in turnout, clipping, grooming products, rugging or leg washing that might have irritated the skin.
Common Causes
The most common cause is greasy heel, which is a skin reaction often linked with wet, muddy or dirty conditions. It can leave the heels swollen, crusty and sore-looking.
Mud fever-type skin irritation is another common possibility, especially if the lower legs have been in wet ground or dirty bedding. The skin can become inflamed and scabby.
Some horses react to frequent washing, harsh grooming, sweat, or rubbing from boots or rugs. That can make the skin appear crusty and swollen too.
Less commonly, there may be a bacterial skin infection, mites, or another skin problem that needs veterinary treatment to settle properly.
What To Do
Keep the area as clean and dry as you realistically can. Remove caked mud gently and avoid repeated harsh washing, especially if the skin is already sore.
Watch whether the swelling improves when the legs are kept drier and the horse is out of mud, or whether it keeps returning after turnout.
Use clean, dry bedding if the horse is stabled, and check whether the turnout area is particularly wet or poached.
Try to avoid picking off crusts forcefully, as that can make the skin more irritated and uncomfortable.
If you’re unsure whether the problem is improving, take a photo each day so you can compare swelling, crusting and redness over time.
Products That May Help
If the issue seems linked to dampness, mud or routine skin cleansing, a gentle wash and coat care routine may be useful as part of day-to-day management.
Related Questions
Is greasy heel the same as mud fever?
Should I wash my horse’s legs every day?
When should crusty heels be checked by a vet?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.