My spotty pony! (phantom rash)

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KitC

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Hi,

My horse has developed a rash. Started off just a little bit under where the saddle sits his left side. I thought it was just a small sweat rash so used some hebiscrub (last sunday) but it didn't go away. It has progressively got worse so now it covers both his sides, it's not really under the saddle now but more where a square numnah would sit and a bit lower than that. I've been treating it with Malaseb for the last 3 days (also given him a few days off so he's not sweating under his saddle area) and it doesn't seem to be getting much better. The rash itself is like lots of spots ranging in size up to about 2p piece size, it's very hot to the touch and although my boy is putting up with it i can tell it's very uncomfortable (when i'm washing it he goes all tucked up, fidgets and looks really stressed).

Haven't changed the washing powder/ rugs/ numnahs...

only thing to note is that for the last few days when I've turned him out he's started licking the earth (obviously lacking minerals - going to get a lick tonight) probably not related but not "normal behaviour" for him!

Any guesses/ suggestions to get rid of my pony's spots?
 
My horse had a rash just like this the day after hunting in December - started off with 2 little lumps under saddle and spread over his back, tummy and under his neck.

We thought it was either sweat rash or numnah had rubbed. I just hibiscrubbed and let it go on its own. The lumps turned into tiny little spots I think. When that happened we sudocremed them and horse was fine. Never happened since.
 
It could easily be rain scald, which can occur when the skin is damp for any reason. Doesn't have to be rain - sweaty skin is just as good. With horses beginning to lose their winter coats, it could easily be a sweaty skin combined with loose hair rubbing that has compromised the skin in the area of the numnah and allowed the bacteria that cause rainscald in. I'd treat it exactly as rainscald. Gentle, dilute hibiscrubbing until the scabby bits can be eased off. Then more gentle dilute hibiscrub until the skin is completely healed. I'd say no riding until it's healed or you could end up with a bigger problem. I'd also wash your numnah/s in hibiscrub or very hot water too. When healed, be ruthless about washing off a sweaty back.
 
He does get sweet itch in the summer but he's well rugged and the spots are under his saddle cloth area and the way it's spread I cant think it was a bite... No nettles in the field...

I thought about rain scald but the spots don't have scabs (as you would expect)! i thought also it could be some bacterial thing that has come about as he is changing coats...

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing! My other horse has started to develope a similar rash now as well... Really frustrating as I just want to know what it is! Grr!!!
 
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