Comparison of chlorhexidine and alcohol-based antisepsis of the distal limbs of horses.

Background: An alcohol-based rub has been confirmed effective at reducing bacterial counts on equine skin. Skin sites with expected high bacterial burden have not been tested or has a comparison to a common protocol been performed.

Objectives: To determine if ethanol-based antisepsis reduces bacterial counts on the equine distal limb comparable to a current chlorhexidine scrub method and determine the most effective application technique for the product.