Prevention tips to avoid rainscald under the saddle area?

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now_loves_mares

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My horse gets a bit of rainscald, but I suspect it's caused more by sweat/warmth than rain. I try not to over-rug her (if at all) but she still seems to get it. Not just under the saddle but those are the worst bits.

She isn't clipped this year (clippers broke) but if/when I replace them, would a full clip help? Also will a particular numnah help? Currently just use a polypad for hacking, but is there something that's better? I think you can get ones that are sort of towelling underneath, I wonder if that would be better?

I'll just keep on with the hibiscrub/sudocreme; but any other tips welcome!
 
Need to keep area meticulously clean, + wash off/dry any swaet marks after riding. Very clean sheepskin numnah aswell! + keep it clean!
 
Thanks, I'm not very good at washing her down after, will try that. I would have thought sheepskin was quite warm but maybe it keeps dampness away? However she's quite fat so no sure sheepskin will fit under her saddle!

I'm also very lazy about changing her numnah regularly, so off to search the sales for polypads on offer ;)
 
Sheepskin will help, but make sure its real non fake. Lambswool or merino.

Hibiscrub is good, but Sudocreme is a barrier creme so will keep the bugs near the skin making it worse. Defo stop the Sudocreme (evil stuff).
 
right you need to stop hibiscrubing it! Hibiscrub strips the skin of all oils and goodness so if she's got rain scald the last thing you want to do is take away what natural protection she has left in her coat! Try getting either malaseb from your vet (prescription only) or Vet solutions universal medicated shampoo (non prescription) http://www.discountedpetproducts.ne...sal_Medicated_Shampoo_16_ounce-UKP133562.html

The second one is cheaper and non prescription, it cleared up Indies rainscald in days. Make sure you're washing and drying your horse properly after riding and keep a light no fill rug on.

edited to add is this definately rainscald? If it's not clearing up i'd be tempted to get the vet to assess it.
 
Sheepskin is generally best, however it has made my mare much much worse this year so it might be a case of trial and error I'm afraid :(
 
Ella19 said:
right you need to stop hibiscrubing it! Hibiscrub strips the skin of all oils and goodness so if she's got rain scald the last thing you want to do is take away what natural protection she has left in her coat! Try getting either malaseb from your vet (prescription only) or Vet solutions universal medicated shampoo (non prescription) http://www.discountedpetproducts.ne...sal_Medicated_Shampoo_16_ounce-UKP133562.html

The second one is cheaper and non prescription, it cleared up Indies rainscald in days. Make sure you're washing and drying your horse properly after riding and keep a light no fill rug on.

edited to add is this definately rainscald? If it's not clearing up i'd be tempted to get the vet to assess it.
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I'm pretty sure it's rainscald, yes. Thing is, as she's getting it from sweat/warmth rather than rain, does the above apply about stripping oils from her coat? TBH her coat is quite greasy/oily and it doesn't seem to have prevented her from getting it? It's all so confusing :confused:

I went shopping today and saw a Numnah that was called Rambo Handy pad. It said it had a "Breathable, Cooldry" fabric, and also had no straps which is ideal, as I have a forward cut close contact saddle, that means very few saddle pads fit. Has anyone any experience of these? Whilst sheepskin would be nice, I think it would make her saddle too tight.
 
[Whilst sheepskin would be nice, I think it would make her saddle too tight.[/QUOTE]

But the rambo/ polypads are also thick and will affect saddle fit. Sheepskin is still preferable.
 
But the one I saw today was less than 1cm thick, whereas all the sheepskin ones I've seen are a good inch+ think? (sorry switching between metric and imperial there!).

There never seems to be just one answer does there? Just choices between the "least bad options" :rolleyes:
 
I've struggled with this in previous years. This year I've gone for a full clip and while it now means double rugging as horse lives out - I've not had any further problems under the saddle.
 
yes I would say the hibi is stripping the coat and the coat is replacing it with more oils. Seriously look into the vet universal shampoo it's less than £10 and really really helps.
 
now_loves_mares said:
But the one I saw today was less than 1cm thick, whereas all the sheepskin ones I've seen are a good inch+ think? (sorry switching between metric and imperial there!).

There never seems to be just one answer does there? Just choices between the "least bad options" :rolleyes:
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If you have had your saddle fitted with a standard pad, then yes you are right - putting a sheepskin thick pad will make your saddle too tight - thick ski socks in everyday shoes.

You will need to refit your saddle if you want to put the pad on and a decent sheepskin pad is not cheap (£60-70) so might be an idea to start off with the cheaper vet wash, and get into the habit of washing off your mares saddle patch, girth and face after riding and washing your numnah weekly. It honestly takes no time at all!.

BTW if you do go sheepskin, my saddler told me to use human hair conditioner on it, to help keep the "fluff" up before teasing it back up. (I use one as my mare is in between saddles while on a diet!)
 
Ella19 said:
yes I would say the hibi is stripping the coat and the coat is replacing it with more oils. Seriously look into the vet universal shampoo it's less than £10 and really really helps.
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I will certainly look in to the shampoo, thanks. However it's only recently (ie in the last few days) that I've started using the Hibiscrub. So whilst it may (or may not!) be helping, it certainly wasn't a contributing factor to her getting it in the first place.

Will I think go for a full clip (she's fat enough :eek:), washing numnahs more regularly, and washing her off carefully after riding.

Thanks everyone :)
 
Correct me please if I am wrong but is rainscald the same as mud fever i.e its a bacteria that enters the skin via a wound and then multiplies under certain moist and warm conditions. If its true then probably best to keep an eye on cuts and grazes in the future to keep them clean once you have eliminated this bout/
 
Rainscald and mud fever are caused by bacteria that take advantage of skin weakened by repeated assault such as wetting (whether from mud, rain or sweat). The scabs that you see on your horse's saddle area hide the active bacteria underneath. Rainscald in the saddle are is very easy to treat and very easy to keep away. You need to soften the scabs and, since it's a bacterial infection, the best way is with an antibacterial product like Hibiscrub. Correctly used, Hibiscrub won't be the cause of the rainscald not clearing up. You need to dissolve just a tiny bit in some warm water and work it gently into the affected area. Then gently try to tease the scabs off. This may take a few repetitions. You need to wash and thoroughly dry the area every time you ride or every time the horse's back gets sweaty. Ideally, as with any injury, you need to NOT further traumatise the area by not riding until it has cleared up. In extreme cases, it is fine to make half a cupful of very dilute Hibiscrub up and massage it deep into the hair and LEAVE IT. My horse - an ex-riding school horse, very popular with riders because of his gentlemanly behaviour and utter safety - came to me with rain scald all across his back under the saddle area. It seems he was good enough to earn money on hacks but not good enough to be properly cleaned and dried afterwards. I treated it as above and he has never had a repeat attack in over 6 years. QED.
 
Have just joined after lurking for ages so I can reply to this :cool:

I had the same problem rumbling around for ages with one of mine- echo the advice about washing down and changing saddlecloths regularly. I also use a tea-tree skin spray as well and it has stopped the problem all together.

I give both boys a spray all over before they have their rugs on after brushing/riding.

http://www.rideaway.co.uk/tea-tree-oil-spray/default.aspx is the one I have but i think there's a few others out there or I would imagine it's fairly easy to make your own.
 
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