For more than two decades, the bright yellow “Briefings” page was among the most popular feature in American Farrier Journal issues. Now, we’re bringing back this valuable content that offers a few quick-to-read items on the AFJ web site. “Hoof-Care Briefings” comes your way near at the end of each month, highlighting farrier tips, industry news, maybe a bit of shoeing history and valuable insights of interest to footcare professionals.

— Frank Lessiter, AFJ Editorial Director

Moisture Is a Major Concern with Rainrot and Scratches

Since moisture can be a major threat to effective footcare, here’s information from a recent Equus article to pass along to your footcare clients on dealing with scratches and rainrot.

Rainrot and Moisture

Rainrot is a crusty, painful skin infection that thrives in damp weather. While the bacteria responsible, dermatophilus congolensis, normally reside on a horse’s skin, wet weather — particularly following a long dry spell — allows it to flourish. This overgrowth triggers an inflammatory response in the top layers of the skin and hair follicle.

The earliest signs of rainrot is warmth in the affected area and hairs that stand slightly on end. Within a few days scabs form at the base of the hairs. As the scabs increase, they develop a tight, painful crust that follows the runoff pattern of rain across a horse’s back and rump.

Most cases of rainrot can be treated with medicated shampoos — usually containing Betadine or chlorhexidine — or other topical other treatments specifically formulated to kill bacteria. In severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend systemic antibiotics.

Scratches and Moisture

The wet/dry cycles common in milder climates can also lead to scratches, a painful skin bacterial infection that appears behind the fetlocks. Scratches begins when repeated exposure to moisture followed by drying causes the skin to chap and crack. 

Bacteria invade these small openings, and once infection takes hold, the affected skin begins to ooze and crust over, forming hard, painful scabs. Cases can range from easily overlooked mild conditions to being severe enough to cause lameness.

Owners need to resist the urge to pick at the scabs, as pulling them off is extremely painful for the horse. Instead, gently trim the pastern hair and wash the area with an antiseptic shampoo. Dry the skin thoroughly with a hair dryer if needed. Finish by applying an antibiotic ointment followed by a thick layer of an emollient cream, such as used to treat diaper rash. Repeat this process every other day, and the scabs will eventually loosen and fall off on their own.

Why Salt & Water Intake Is So Critical

In these hot days of summer, it’s essential that your footcare clients make sure their horses receive adequate amounts of salt and water.

In humans, excess salt increases the concentration of sodium in our blood, prompting us to seek water to dilute it. This helps maintain osmotic balance and protect cells from dehydration, which triggers thirst when sodium levels rise.

Does the Same Hold True for Horses?

Sure, say Kentucky Equine Research scientists. Drinking boosts body-wide hydration that supports normal kidney function, reduces the risk of impaction colic and sustains other important physiological functions.

Water intake may decrease at certain times, such as during cold weather or transport. To boost intake, horse owners often add water to the feed or provide salt to their horses, either in the feed or as salt licks.

Nutrient Requirements of Horses, published by The National Research Council, suggests horses kept at maintenance levels should receive 25-30 grams of salt per day. The actual need depends on the sodium content of the feed, the amount of sweat produced due to exercise or weather and lactation status.

Scientists at Kentucky Equine Research wanted to know if adding water to the feed or adding water and salt to the feed would affect water consumption. They used eight unexercised, mature geldings in a study in which each horse received each treatment. Horses were fed two meals of the same feed each day, with water only or water plus salt added to create four treatments. Water intake was measured for 90 minutes immediately following each meal, and total daily water intake was also recorded.

Key Points from the Study

1. Adding only water to the feed did not affect the total amount of water ingested by the horse, as they reduced voluntary water intake.
2. Adding salt to wet feed increased the amount of water ingested, with horses drinking more water after a meal.
3. When horses decreased their voluntary water intake, adding salt and water to the feed is the best way to get them to drink more water.
4. Adding water to the feed without adding salt will not reduced the total amount of water ingested by the horse. However, this may be a good way to get water into the horse, as it may not be drinking for other reasons, such as cold weather or travel.

Late-Breaking News and Views...

Data from the American Farriers Journal 2026 Farrer Practices Benchmark study shows 70% of full-time farriers served an apprenticeship in their earlier years... Farrier injuries likely cost more than you think in terms of lost income and efficiency. For example, the average non-fatal dairy farm injury costs $15,613… Since 2002, a paid subscription to American Farriers Journal has not been part of a yearly American Farrier’s Association membership… Results of a 2024 British study indicated 30% of horse owners were considering extending the days between farrier visits in an effort to reduce costs.

Take Care When Making Trimming Changes

Mike Savoldi, a retired farrier and researcher at the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at California State Polytechnic University urged attendees at the first International Hoof-Care Summit held in 2003 to keep open minds. 

“We have a tendency to overanalyze everything,” he said. “We have taken the horse’s foot and made it so complicated that we don’t know which direction to go.”

Savoldi urged farriers to be cautious in adopting any new trimming technique.

“I would never suggest that if you find a trim you think you’d like to try that you change a foot all at once,” he said. “It can take as long as 6-8 months for soft tissue to adjust.”

Savoldi said anytime such a trim change involves changing the plane of a hoof capsule, great caution must be taken.

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