Funny sore bit on back? How to treat....

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Toodles

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Folks, hoping for some help please! My gelding has a sore bit on his back one side of the spine, part of it could be just under the seat of the saddle but just behind the main weight bearing area. Basically about a week ago a few little lumps turned up in a clump, I thought they were fly bites, they weren't sore. In the last couple of days the area has become slightly raised, the individual lumps have been replaced by this 2x3 inch slightly raised area which has the texture of spots coming to a head & slightly crusty (as if there are little heads where the lumps were before - sorry, this sounds gross). He is sore on it to the touch. I lunged him today rather than mess with it and put some aloe vera gel and tea tree oil on it. Would be SUPER grateful for any ideas as to what it can be? Is it plausible that it is a slight reaction to some nasty fly bites (he now goes out with fly sheet on all the time as he is a very thin skinned TB) and if so, is aloe/tea tree a good way to deal? Thankies!!!!
 
It could be fly bites but it could be - effectively - acne! When a horse works and sweats, the pores open. A little bit of dirt gets in with bacteria attached. Horse cools, pores close, you get what are - effecively - pimples!

To test this theory: wash back thoroughly with Hibiscrub (nothing else is as good, Hibiscrub penetrates the top layer of skin) - rinse and dry. THEN, before riding, wipe area with surgical spirit (to clean) and use clean numnah. After riding, wash area with dilute Hibiscrub, rinse and dry.

If this is the problem, he'll be fine in 3 days. For prevention, wipe back with surgical spirit (don't drench him, it's just to remove surface dirt) and use a clean numnah every day.
 
Shy had acne - unfortunately it was misdiagnosed as a fungal infection, and the treatment, Malseb shampoo, made it FAR worse.

I took him for a second opinion, and insisted on skin scrapes being done. The vet diagnosed acne, he had antibiotics, and hibiscrub daily - and it cleared up withing a week.

I do recommend getting a vet to check it if it doesn't clear up in the three days suggested. It was a total nightmare.

Not sure if you can tell much from these pics ;


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Right, it's good to have a plan! Thanks Janet & shysmum (poor Shy, I could see the pimples on his side!) for your knowhow and sensible suggestions, I will hibiscrub it tonight. Probably a dim Qu but I presume the hibiscrub should be dliuted for the initial wash as well as the post-riding wash? V grateful :)
 
Yes, diluted hibiscrub. I left it on for five minutes, then rinsed off with clean water.

My advice is to NOt ride until you have the problem under control. Shy was very sore in the area, and riding on it would have made it much worse.

Good luck xx
 
Well he has a fly rug on because he is a thin skinned TB and does get bothered by the flies. At night he has had a thin waffle rug (although obviously nothing when it was hot a week or so ago).
 
Forgot to add this - my vet said that Hibiscrub daily after riding can be quite harsh, especially on sensitive skin, and to just do it a few times a week after riding once the infection has gone.

So now I sponge him down with Lavender Wash (from any saddler) - you just add a few drops to a small amount of water, sponge it on, and that's it - no rinsing or anything. Lavender is a natural and powerful antiseptic, and this has worked a treat - also been using it on his new freezemark.

I wash my numnahs all the time but it HAS to be in non-bio liquid :)
 
Mine has had a rash like the coloured in the photo above on and off for about 9 months. I've tried everything - Malaseb, Hibiscrub, tea tree shampoo, citronella shampoo, Dermoline etc etc etc... washed him with J&J baby shampoo last week and it has more or less cleared up! :)
 
well, it looks to be going on the right lines so far..... how long do you think I should hibiscrub everyday for? i.e. should I go to alternate days now, seeing as it *seems* to be going on the right lines? and presumably I should stay off his back until there is absolutely gone? thanks you guys!!! :0)
 
Yes, i wouldn't ride, as movement could spread it around. Time for lungeing...Bloody nasty stuff isn't it, grrrr. Keep hibiscrubbing every couple of days, gradually reducing the amount you use, and until it clears up. Then twice a week, and after riding.

I would switch to the lavender wash once it's healed completely, and wipe it on after every ride. It's just gentler (sp?) on the skin, hibiscrub can be quite harsh.
 
Thanks Shysmum, just ONE last Qu (I promise!) - where do you get the lavender wash from and do you think tea tree wash/spray or aloe vera gel would do the same job? I presume the intention of the lavender wash is to soothe or has it got antiseptic properties too? THankies!!!!!

ps Still seems to be getting better, the rough stuff has all gone and it feels smooth again and is not sensitive to touch so I rode yesterday and he was fine, no tension at all!
 
Tea tree oil can be a bit harsh if the skin is already compromised. Aloe vera is good, but won't wash away the sweat and googlies..

You can get the lavender wash from any tack shop(about £5) or online, hang on ;



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BARRIER-L...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item19cbead4bc

Using this will rinse away anything there, and lavender is a very good, mild antiseptic, which "should" prevent anything happening. You can add a few drops of tea tree to the bucket of wash if you need to.

Hope that helps :)
 
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