Lump on back, what is the right thing to do?

[comicduo]

Clover had a small hard lump on her back just behind the saddle yesterday, I pressed it to see if it was painful for her and it popped! The lump discarged a bit of bloody fluid but didn't seem to have anything further in it and she didn't seem to find me messing with it painful. I flushed it with weak iodene soluition and covered it with 'cut & Heal' ointment but I am a bit worried still.
Does it sound like bots to anyone? I know the theory but have never seen them in the whole time I have owned horses.
Could it just be a little cycst?
Do I just treat it like a puncutre wound or should I be more worried?

 

[spaniel]

Bots lay eggs on the hair shaft rather than inject under the surface plus its too early in the year for them yet.

More likely a cysty spot or a normal fly bite. Id keep it clean with salt water and keep your eye on it. Just be careful its not being rubbed by your saddle or numnah.

 

[pagancluf]

See if you can find a picture of a warble fly bite and see if it looks the same? These bite on the back and lay eggs under the skin - you are supposed to poultice them to get the gunge out I think. They are often hard lumps with gunge in them. Best of luck!

 

[spaniel]

I havent seen a warble fly for many a long year but you could be right, this warm and somewhat damp weather may have encouraged them.

From what I remember the lumps are pretty big and once the grub thing emerges they can take quite a while to heal.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Could well be a warble. Do you have cattle nearby? As pg says, try poulticing first.

 

[Shilasdair]

Bots don't go under the skin....the larvae stay in the gut.
Warble flies - normally have a little 'breathing' hole in the top of the lump (yuck) and the warble grub thing is large and repulsive.
Little hard lumps under the saddle area are often pores enlarged due to heat. They feel very hard (like little hard peas) but don't cause any problems.
S

 

[Louby]

Few years ago, a girl on my old yard had a horse with loads on lumps round his saddle area, she used to pop them. Never did him any harm and vet said they were nothing to worry about, called them something (cant remember) nodules.

 

[merlinsquest]

I seem to remember someone saying that as long as the horse is wormed properly then they dont get warbles as they are killed by the wormer!!

Could have dreamt it though!!!!