Fall is coming, and with this beautiful season full of changes also comes the rain! And with the rain, our horses are more prone to humidity driven skin infections such as soft heel, rain rot and mud fever (equine pastern dermatitis).
Oil of oregano is a power pack and should be part of your tack box. Basically, it is anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and loaded with antioxidants (all the good stuff!). No wonder Ancient Greeks applied oregano oil to treat bacterial infections.
Personally, I use it every time my horse has an open scratch, cracked or soft heel or frog, rot rain and mud fever. Since the rainy season will be rolling in soon, I thought this tip would also help you out. Oil of oregano has also been increasingly popular in homeopathic remedies for people. It can be found at most health food stores - but since I use this quite often for all types of skin and minor injuries, I go through a lot of it and like to keep several bottles at the stable. I found that the brand Joy of the Mountain produces high quality oil without the heavy price tag. Here is a direct link to order it through Amazon.
Step by step guide:
1. Clean the area needing treatment with an antibacterial soap
2. Clip the hair if necessary
3. Dry the area with a clean towel
4. Apply directly the oil of oregano and let it air dry
**Apply 2 times a day until the situation is resolved.
For hard to reach areas, I sometimes will use a small spray bottle to help reach the affected area. I recommend limiting petroleum based bottles and using this glass type instead - plus you get to clean and reuse them for many other purposes! You do not need to fill the entire bottle to make use of the spray, but you can also dilute with water if needed. Simply add room temperature water with the oil of oregano and make sure to shake the bottle before using. I recommend diluting as little as possible.
Oil of oregano is a natural alternative that can fight various infections, strengthen the immune system, and because of its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, studies show that it reduces redness, swelling and pain associated with inflammatory conditions.