New Weapon Against Scratches

Scratches is the name commonly given to the patches of cracked, irritated skin, often with a secondary bacterial infection, that occurs at the back of a horse’s pasterns. This skin affliction is sometimes difficult to heal because the pasterns tend to stay wet and muddy during the winter season.

Kunzea oil, an essential oil historically used by Australian aborigines, was tested as a treatment for scratches. Horses treated twice a day with kunzea oil showed complete or significant healing after seven days, while horses treated with a control substance showed no improvement.