Scratches, properly called Pastern Dermatitis, is a skin infection of the feet, pasterns, fetlocks, legs and muzzles in horses.  It usually affects horses with white stocking feet and legs, only occasionally affecting the darker areas. Symptoms include scabby areas that are often oozy, inflamed, sore and cracked. It occurs worldwide, in every climate, wet and dry. Many causes have been associated with Scratches, including microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, irritants, allergies, genetics, sunlight photosensitivity, nutrition, soil and bedding.  It is not generally contagious, although, a group of horses associating with each other in similar conditions, may all have Scratches. It is persistent and does reoccur frequently, especially in a horse with white feet and/or face. Many treatments have been used to treat this aggravating condition, most are very costly, difficult to use, and eventually unsuccessful; some may be irritating and others hazardous for both horse and handler.