Is this Rain Scald

[Finns Mum]

I'm sat at work thinking about my horse (as you do ) as last night I thought he had done something to his back, as he was sore to touch in the area just behind the saddle. Muscle problems aren't unusual for him so didn't really think much of it just put his massage pad on and arranged for physio to come out.

But now thinking about it I am wondering if its a skin problem as I noticed that his hair looked ruffled in the area along his spine and felt slightly damp and there was a tinge of yellow / brown in his coat.

I had a thorough look through and could find no scabs but the hair felt a bit sticky, and the skin looked more pink than normal and there was heat in the area. He was sensitive to touch and dipped his back as if he had muscle pain but thinking about it now I wonder if its the skin that is sore not muscular.

He's never had skin problems before but he did sweat up at the weekend and it took a while for him to dry off with a termatex, he is clipped in a high blanked clip and I chose not to wash him off as it was chilly (lesson learnt ).

If it is rain scald should I just wash it in hibiscrub and then keep the area dry? I don't want to clip the hair away there and don't think he would stand it at the moment, is there anything else I should do?

 

[Ella19]

I wouldn't hibi as it will strip the skin of all natural moisture! If it is rainscald then you need a medicated shampoo. It doesn't sound like rain scald. Are you sure there's not "bumps" or abcess as stickyness sounds like pus?

 

[Zuzzie]

I think you should let a vet have a look. They will probably take a skin scrape to identify what is causing this - if it is an infection. A few years ago my horse was turned out amongst some other horses when I went on holiday. When I came back he looked like he had rain scald in the height of summer. Vet took a scrape and when they identified what it was I had to take him to the surgery for a complete head to toe bath in special shampoo every week for 3 weeks. It sorted out the problem thank goodness.
I would recommend you don't leave it too long as it will probably spread.

 

[Finns Mum]

Thanks

I hibied it last night and it seems better this morning he is certainly not as sensitive with it, definately no scabs or flakey skin, will keep an eye on it. Vet is out for vacs next week so will get him to have a look if its still an issue.