heat rash?

L

L&M

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2008
Messages
6,378
Location
up a hill
Visit site
My cob has come out in bumps all over his body. It started on Friday - as we were out for the day, a friend kindly rugged him up for the night, but did it at 4pm whilst it was still very warm, so was wondering if it may be a heat rash? The bumps pretty much disappeared during the day yesterday, and didn't rug him until sun down last night, but the bumps reappeared again this morning.
He is out 24/7, naked in the day, with a lightweight rug on overnight as was fully clipped over the winter. He has worn the rug before and never had a reaction to it.
What do you guys think?
Thanks!
 
Its most likely cob rash. Also known as Cob's knee (although it isn't on his knee) or collagen lumps. Cobs produce a lot of excess scurfy collagen which builds up and forms lumps in patches where they can't rub or groom it off. Getting too warm under a rug whilst not absolutely clean is a classic trigger. But it isn't itchy or weepy like heat rash would be.

Get him clean - wash him if you can and put a bit of hibiscrub in the wash water. Get the patches dry and leave them. In a day or so they'll start to come away on thier own. With my cob I encourage that process by rubbing it with a rubber curry comb - not hard, just enough to lift anything that is ready to come off. Don't pick at them or you can make him bleed which risks secondary infections. The hair will come off as well I'm afraid and he'll look a bit spotty. But that is just cosmetic.

Don't you just love cobs!
 
Thanks for the ideas! No the rug hasn't been washed as is rarely used. I have had him 4 yrs and have not had this happen before - but it does look like some sort of allergic reaction.
I have not heard of 'cobs rash' before, but could be a possibility. The lumps are all over him, but seem to be under the skin and there are no scabs...
He does not seem bothered by them at all, but just seemed odd that they disappear completely in the day but re-appear overnight. If it is not too cold tonight I may try him unrugged and see what is there in the morning!
 
Our warmblood has had this the last two springs, aswe had never see it the first time we got the vet out - (panicked as we hadn't had her long) just a heat thing - unsightly but they went of their own accord. We just sponged down if she got hot.
 
My horse has come out in lumps also he got some in November so i put lighter rugs on and they went away - but he has come out in them again over last few days with the hotter weather and wearing the same rug - I'm sure it's a heat thing with mine any way.He is now only wearing a summer sheet overnite and a summer turnout dureing day.His are itchy tho and after a few days they do get scaby and come off when I use a curry comb.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top