Advise needed, don't know what to do next!

[Feah]

June this year i bought my very first horse, I've never been in a position to do so before and on the advise of a good friend (or so i thought) i found and fell in love with Red, a 3 year old coloured sports horse, gelding. Love at first sight you may say. I watched him trembble as he was displayed at aution and i knew he was coming home with me. Never been handled as such but again my friend promised to help in his training, she had broken all her own horses in so i had no reason to doubt he abilities. He was very thin and in bad condition. A month down the line and you could see improvements in his weight and condition and my god what a horse, i began ground work with him leading, grooming having the farrier out, taking him out on the lanes etc nothing fazes him so laid back and a willingness to learn. Lunging, longraining even backed him a couple of times. He developed what i can only describe as raised crusty bumps on his neck (only on his white patches) ovef the process of a month or so they got bigger and eventualy dropped off along with clumps of hair, the vet said its an allergy to his food! Red wouldnt eat anything apart from grazing in the field. They disappeared after time and all i could do was clean the area and apply sudocream on my vets advise. Hair grew back and 5 months later he looks like a completely different horse now. My friend has dissapeared and all i can do is carry on with what she taught me but desperate for help as im no horse trainer and cant move forward with backing him anymore being on my own. I can tack him up no problems and he is fine with it.
Problem now is those horrible yellow scabby bumps have come back on the other side of his neck again only on his white patches, and they are back with a vengence, this time i know they hurt him, for him to flinch when I try to sooth them means they are painfull. All my vet said was, oh yes they are hives and carry on doing what your doing ?? I've read that due to him being thin and underconditioned his immunity hasnt built up, he lacks the good bacteria in his gut, ifs and buts.....i spend hours on the internet but still just as confused as i was before. I feel like im in over my head sometimes, i have a beautiful horse and i would never give up on him, we have a bond that has took time and patience on both sides, i teach him and he certainly teaches me. Are these bumps going to be a constant? Im in no rush to break him in but do feel out of my depth on that side of it, ive never attempted to train a horse before. But you know im proud of what Red and i have achieved so far.
If anyone could offer any advice on one or both of the issues facing us i would be more than greatfull...thanks for reading,

 

[Autumn sonnet]

It sounds very very similar to what one of mine has - are the lumps slightly dry and yellow ? If so , it might be worth googling atopic dermatitis . Mine has has it sporadically for ten years , and we spent a fortune trying to work out what the trigger was , only to realise that his personal trigger is the change when his winter coat starts growing. Essentially he is follicly challenged ! And allergic to himself. . If its the same thing , we found it spread really easily , but was only to him . For example, if I picked a scab off, then touched a clear area of skin, then that bit would get lumps the next day . The one thing that really really worked for him , better than all the expensive ointments , is the yellow antibacterial cream made by radiol I think. Stops it spreading and seems to soothe it greatly . It has got very much better than it was. And it hasn't stopped him working either . Just an idea , but it might be of use !

 

[tamsinkb]

Please remember you are not the first to be swamped by the information on the Internet...I'm frequently confused and bamboozled when researching stuff for my special chestnut and I've owned equines for nearly 40 years!
Firstly, I would revisit to vet..are they a specialist equine vet? If not, I'd certainly try to engage an equine specialist and ask about taking skin scrapings/biopsy to try and work out what the scabs are. From your description I would guess a allergy, but that is not the only thing that could cause them best rule everything else out! I would also be looking carefully at his diet, some horses are intolerant of alfalfa but there can be other causes.. I'd certainly feeding a high fibre, sugar and cereal free diet to see if that helps ( its what my horses are fed as routine). I would put a good probiotic supplement in his feed i like biopro from Feedmark, but there are loads out there....I've heard good things about Protexin too. If that made no difference I'd be looking at supplements specifically for skin condition.

Secondly, with regard to bringing your horse on, whereabouts are you? If we know roughly where you are someone may be able to suggestions of experienced people to help. You seem to have come along way with your boy and whilst I'd not recommend an unbroken 3 year old as a first horse generally, it sounds like you have a great bond and you are keen to learn. Good luck and I hope you get to the bottom of the problem with his skin soon.
Tx

 

[WelshD]

I have a pony with sweet itch and skin problems that gets the same sort of bumps. Here are some of the things I've done to make life easier:

I fully clip at this time of year so air can get to the skin and I can treat any bumps more effectively. I use Medivet wash. (Non rinse) to clean affected areas, little pods of antiseptic gel on any bumps (the name of which escape me) and the vet made me up a pot of aqueous cream mixed with baytril (antibiotic) and betnovate (steroid) which is very good

He has no wheat, alfalfa or molasses in his feeds. I use brewers yeast and salt in his feeds (the salt has made a big difference)

He is bedded on rubber mats and snowflake soft chip bedding, no straw and his stable is brushed (walls/rafters etc) regularly to keep it clean

He wears a combo rug of some sort nearly all year round but it's removed or the neck folded back once a day to let air to his skin. I know this seems at odds with the fully clipping but if he gets too hot he comes out in bumps too. Although fully clipped now is is out in a rain sheet with a thin lining at the moment

Basically we go out of our way to limit exposure to anything that aggravates him

By far and away the most useful thing I did was to give him a course of a supplement called 'fight back' unfortunately I could not afford to keep him on it long term but it made a huge difference and almost 'rebooted' his system to the extent that along with the measures above he has been almost bump free this year

 

[JanetGeorge]

We need to know where you are Feah - then we can recommend consultant vets - and a trainer who can help you finish backing your boy. The best thing you can do with the lumps is to kee a diary of exactly when and where they appear, is it associated with weather etc. If he's just on grass it's probably not an allergy although there might be some sort of plant/weed he fancies but isn't good for him, and it could certainly be the result of early deprivation (in which case it should improve with his better conditions now.)

It sounds like you've made excellent progress with his handling and getting ready for backing, and you MUST find the right person to help you and do the actual backing and riding away. He'll need special consideration for his early life to give him the best chance - and to help YOU know the way forward. Even the big name trainers can screw up a 'special needs' horse if they rely on 'their method' for all. Every horse is an individual - and his individual characteristics HAVE to be taken into account!

 

[Goldenstar]

The first thing I would do is get the horse to a specialist vet.
Your own vet should be able to advise who is best .
I have a friend whose horse has what sounds like the same condition it was triggered by alfalfa and bird feathers in him he had all sorts of allergy tests to track this down.
I would put him on a double dose of protexin daily and would keep him on for at least six months .
At one point one of mine had an injection to boost his immune system I can't remember what it was called but it might be something worth asking about .
The training thing is easier to fix you find a good training yard and send him there as long as they can accomodate his skin condition if he's so difficult to manage you need to keep him with you then there will be people round you who will come to the yard and work with you to get the job done.
Ask round and find out who is working in your area .

 

[Flicker]

Well done or getting this far with Red.
Once you have cleared up his skin issues, find a professional to continue his education properly. Probably the most beneficial way for you to do this is to find someone who can come to you and work with Red while you help on the ground. That way, you learn the principle behind what they are doing, and feel that you are part of the process too.
Good luck xx

 

[wench]

Echo all the others start off with a good equine vet, and until then keep his diet very simple, just hay, and if he needs hard feed to help keep condition on him, maybe some grass nuts, or dodson and horrell equine sensitive.

There's a chap on Facebook called the natural medicine man. He does a hair test, for about £40. It tests for all sorts of things, including telling you what they are allergic to. You get a bottle of "remedy" to help with the issues. Whilst it's not a substitute for any veterinary treatment, I've used it before, changed my horses diet, and the changes were noticeable.

As for the breaking part, I'd suggest finding a decent yard, with decent facilties who can break your horse in, ride him away, and give you lessons on him to give you both the best start

 

[charlie76]

What you are describing sounds like photosensitivity. I would get the vet to test for liver damage .

 

[Feah]

Wow thank you for all your adivise, he's currently on Naf Pro Biotics but only a 10 day corse. we live in the Gwynedd area, but i will certainly be going back to the vets again. The bumps are crutsy with yellowy bits underneath and spread like wild fire. I will also try the fight backm, I'll give anything go at this point i think. Once again many thanks x

 

[Fiona]

Our mare has an unspecified allergy which brings her out in bumps and eventually yellow weeping scabs. The vet used to give her a steroid injection to clear this up, but obviously steroids are nasty, so now on his advice we keep a big tub of antihistamine tablets and if we spot a bump she gets 20 tablets in her feed for the next three days. This is working v successfully.

Fiona

 

[cundlegreen]

I have a pony with sweet itch and skin problems that gets the same sort of bumps. Here are some of the things I've done to make life easier:

I fully clip at this time of year so air can get to the skin and I can treat any bumps more effectively. I use Medivet wash. (Non rinse) to clean affected areas, little pods of antiseptic gel on any bumps (the name of which escape me) and the vet made me up a pot of aqueous cream mixed with baytril (antibiotic) and betnovate (steroid) which is very good

He has no wheat, alfalfa or molasses in his feeds. I use brewers yeast and salt in his feeds (the salt has made a big difference)

He is bedded on rubber mats and snowflake soft chip bedding, no straw and his stable is brushed (walls/rafters etc) regularly to keep it clean

He wears a combo rug of some sort nearly all year round but it's removed or the neck folded back once a day to let air to his skin. I know this seems at odds with the fully clipping but if he gets too hot he comes out in bumps too. Although fully clipped now is is out in a rain sheet with a thin lining at the moment

Basically we go out of our way to limit exposure to anything that aggravates him

By far and away the most useful thing I did was to give him a course of a supplement called 'fight back' unfortunately I could not afford to keep him on it long term but it made a huge difference and almost 'rebooted' his system to the extent that along with the measures above he has been almost bump free this year

This is all very complicated. Make things simple.... I would recommend a homeopathic/herbal practice that I have used for years. They will test a urine sample, and tell you what your horse is deficient in (minerals/vitamins). They will make you a tailor made supplement for your horse including an immune building mix. I used this very successfully on a young horse that came over from Ireland, very poor, and with a sarcoid. He kept having a snotty nose and cough for 3 months before I put him in this mix. Now very well, and the sarcoid has gone completely.
Re the breaking in. You are doing really well so far. Its all about trust. Horses that have a good bond with their owners are very easy to break in, its just a natural progression of things, and repetition of every step until you and the horse are comfortable with it. By all means get some help but make sure its the right help. The name of the practice, by the way, is Folklore in Suffolk. PM me for further details. I've been using their supplements for nearly 20 years, and have had some fantastic results.

 

[ROMANY 1959]

You are in Gwynedd ,,,have you tried Richard Owen the vet... He is near Abergele and is excellent horse vet...

 

[Micropony]

No useful advice to add to that already given, just a few words of encouragement. You've taken on a big challenge, and it really sounds like you're rising to the occasion. Your horse is very lucky to have found an owner who is so keen to do the right thing for him. Best of luck finding a good equine vet who will be a bit more helpful, and a suitable trainer to help with the backing process. Once you've assembled the right support around you, you'll be rocking and rolling!

 

[debsflo]

No useful advice to add to that already given, just a few words of encouragement. You've taken on a big challenge, and it really sounds like you're rising to the occasion. Your horse is very lucky to have found an owner who is so keen to do the right thing for him. Best of luck finding a good equine vet who will be a bit more helpful, and a suitable trainer to help with the backing process. Once you've assembled the right support around you, you'll be rocking and rolling!

I just wanted to second this, lucky little horse,get the right people to help you and go from there.

 

[honetpot]

My advice is... don't panic.
You are a novice owner who has bought a youngster from the sales, and you are doing fine.
I have had horses for forty plus years and they often get a sensitivity to sometimes especially when they are young. Get a could horses vet out and the skin scrap, just to check. Go back to just hay and grass and record how it goes in a diary, so you can see if there is a pattern.
One of mine got a really bad rash one year, she had suddenly developed and allergy to showsheene, after 20 years.
As to backing, I would look on the local FB groups and find out who does what and at what level, sending away your baby away is a big step and can be a big expense. I would take as much time as you need before you choose. As I have mainly ponies and cold bloods I do not do anything with them till they are four, it gives them time to mature so do not feel you have to back him at three.

 

[Feah]

Thank you all for your kind advise, certainly will be looking into quite a few of your suggestions and take on board your advise, maybe we're not as alone in this as i thought we were ��

 

[cundlegreen]

Feah, I can't send you a reply to your PM. It says your inbox is full, but its probably because you are a new poster. Could you pm me an email address, then I can give you details.