To prevent scratches caused by alkali on the desert
rides (particularly Death Valley), I used to shave the hair on the back sides of
the pasterns as close as I could, then slathered Desitin on the pasterns.
It made a terrible mess, but the greasy stuff kept the dust and alkali off the
skin and prevented the scratches from starting. I wiped it off daily and
reapplied.
I?ve had success preventing
scratches with a slathering of zinc oxide on the pasterns on rides. I put it
on before and at each hour long vet check and at the end. Sonny was lame at
the end of one ride due to scratches, and as soon as I put the zinc oxide on
it he felt much better and quit limping.
