Cannon crud and leg funk – it’s cannon keratosis

 

Leg funk that is usually seen on the front of the rear cannon bones is a common condition called cannon crud or stud crud. Sometimes, it’s called urine scald, too, but this scaly skin on the rear legs is cannon keratosis. Some folks know this as “urine scald,” affecting all horses, even mares, even though getting a mare’s urine to land on the front of the legs might take magic. BUT…It’s not related to urine at all. This leg funk is also NOT itchy, it’s not a fungus horses can pick up, and it may or may not lead to a bacterial infection.

 

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You will see sticky patches of thickened hair and goop.  It’s scaly, like a hairy lizard.

 

Stud crud, or cannon keratosis, is a skin condition caused by the horse’s own glands in the skin.

 

• It manifests itself in a waxy paste that glues the hair to it. It is not fungus, bacteria, scratches, or caused by urine. It’s a case of seborrhea, which can be primary or secondary. Seborrhea is a flaky and scaly condition of the skin.

 

Cannon crud, or cannon keratosis, is a type of dermatitis caused by skin glands

 

• Cannon keratosis manifests itself in a waxy paste that glues the hair to it. The glands that make sebum, the sebaceous glands, produce too much of this natural oil, which turns into that paste.

 

• It is not caused by fungus, bacteria, scratches, or urine – at least not until it goes overboard and becomes a petri dish for growing harmful microbes

 

• It’s a case of seborrhea, which can be primary or secondary. Seborrhea is a flaky and scaly condition of the skin and might remind you of dandruff.

 

• Some thinner-skinned horse breeds, like thoroughbreds and Arabians, may be more likely to show this leg funk.

 

The sebaceous glands cause cannon crud

 

• In cannon keratosis, your horse’s sebaceous glands go a bit overboard and make too much sebum. Sebum is that magic skin oil that creates shine. Sebum is also a factor in your horse’s immune system, as it contains some antibacterial properties to protect your horse’s skin from bacteria and fungi.

 

• You see waxy, scaly patches with a clump of hair growing through them, which may pull out if you yank or pick at those scales.

 

• Aggressive grooming and picking or other circumstances may leave your horse with some bald patches.

 

• This initial outbreak of cannon crud is known as primary seborrhea, and it’s not associated with any other infections.

 

 

Secondary infections are possible

 

• If your horse has flaky and scaly skin, swelling, heat, discomfort, or hair loss, they might have a secondary infection. It’s time to get the vet out to inspect the affected area.

 

• This is secondary seborrhea and is associated with skin infection, nutrient deficiency, liver disease, and a few other things. It can also be associated with oily or dry skin.

 

• Maybe a horse’s enthusiasm about producing sebum creates a handy little trap for bacteria and fungus to run rampant.

 

Mud fever, scratches, and cellulitis

 

• Anytime the skin is disrupted, there’s a risk of things going sideways. A secondary infection, especially one that goes deep into the skin, can help other conditions like mud fever and cellulitis appear.

 

• Mud fever, also called scratches and greasy heel, fall under the umbrella of equine pastern dermatitis (EPD). You may see sores, scabs, and swelling, and the infection may have shifted as the bacteria and sometimes fungus spread from the front of their cannon bonnes.

 

• Cellulitis is another downright terrible condition in which the entire skin becomes infected, painful, swollen, and dangerous. A horse’s leg can quickly turn into a stovepipe, causing pain and lameness. Cellulitis can begin with a tiny scratch and spread quickly. It’s not uncommon for horses with cellulitis to develop soundness problems.

 

• A case of cellulitis or any swelling around the cannon crud area needs the vet to diagnose it immediately and treat it with appropriate medications. Systemic antibiotics are one way to treat cellulitis.

 

Read more about equine pastern dermatitis here.

Learn about cellulitis here. 

 

Prescription shampoos from your vet might help.

 

Your vet can determine if cannon keratosis is a primary or secondary skin condition

 

• A skin issue for your horse can be one of a dozen things, and you may need your vet to help you determine what’s going on. Skin problems can look the same but have different treatments.

 

• Your veterinarian will likely be able to give you a special shampoo, probably one containing benzoyl peroxide.

 

• If there is a secondary infection due to the cannon crud, antifungal or antibiotics may be necessary, either oral or topical.

 

• At the end of the day, seborrhea is basically mild, shouldn’t spread to other parts of your horse, and is very cosmetic in nature.

How is cannon crud diagnosed?

 

• Your vet needs to do a visual exam of the area to determine if cannon keratosis is present. Sometimes, it seems tempting to take samples and send them to the lab, but the results are often inconclusive.

 

• The main reason to have your vet examine your horse is to help with possible secondary infections.

 

• If the cannon keratosis is new, abnormal, or spreading, something has triggered a reaction in your horse. Your vet may be able to pinpoint possible causes, including dietary imbalances, liver problems, and metabolic issues. Systemic diseases often weaken a horse’s immune system, creating skin issues.

 

• It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of leg funk, but nutrition, grooming habits, metabolic issues, and sometimes plain bad luck contribute.

 

Help clear up your horse’s stud crud and leg funk

 

• You can also do some things to help, like daily grooming to help stud crud. A gentle curry with grooming gloves or a softer curry comb style is helpful.

 

• Avoid picking, scrubbing, and removing the scales and hair. This can create tiny wounds, which is like rolling out the red carpet for secondary infections.

 

• Keeping the legs clean and dry goes a long way to preventing cannon keratosis, scratches, mud fever, and all other versions of equine pastern dermatitis (EPD).

 

• In keeping your horse’s legs clean, use a prescribed shampoo or a mild shampoo that will not irritate the skin.

 

• Your vet may also suggest using anti-dandruff shampoos or topical ointments.

 

• Only use clean and dry sports boots, polo wraps, shipping boots, and all other types of leg wraps.

 

• Some equestrians swear by using that green sheath cleaning goop to soften patches of cannon keratosis and then gently peel away any very loose layers.

 

• Horse socks may also help. These socks protect your horse’s skin from the elements. Silver Whinny socks benefit cases of secondary seborrhea and most cases of equine pastern dermatitis as the fabric has anti-microbial properties and can get wet and muddy without issue.

 

• Don’t overlook the importance of skin health and nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids are skin health boosters! 

 

There’s not much that can’t be helped with a good diet!

 

How do you prevent cannon crud in horses?

 

• You might not be able to fully prevent it, but you can prevent the secondary infections that plague some horses.

 

• All horse grooming is health care, and taking the time to inspect your horse’s legs with your eyes and fingertips can help catch skin infections early. This is especially true during winter if you leave your horse’s leg hair long. That longer hair can compound the petri dish effect of trapping moisture and microbes.

 

• There’s a lot of skin scurf on horses legs, and talking to your vet at the first sign of spread, swelling, or anything different from the day before will keep your horse more comfortable. Early detection also makes treatment easier, making you less likely to have more expensive vet bills.

 

The famous Sox for Horses.  And they can get wet and muddy while protecting the skin.

 

 

Remember that loads of horse fungus and skin stuff can look alike.

 

• Your veterinarian can distinguish rain rot, sweet itch, and other skin infections from stud crud and prescribe the proper medication if needed. There are many reasons horses develop equine pastern dermatitis.

 

• Cannon keratosis can be managed through good grooming, but still warrants a look from a veterinarian.

 

• Stubborn cases easily cause secondary infections. If you suspect it’s not cannon keratosis, call your veterinarian and find out!

For a complete guide to leg and hoof grooming, this article has you covered!

 

 

 

 

 

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