Rain scald!.? But rugged up? Eh!

[Troyseph]

Hi all, my boys been rugged up for about 2 months now, and is now in a lovely premier equine full neck medium weight.

Anyway, took his rug off today and he looks like he has rain scald tufts of hair missing, few bald patches and that horrible crusty feeling in areas. It's not serious, but I've never encountered it, and considering he's rug, hwos this even occurred?

Sorry if this seems dumb! Thanks x

 

[DragonSlayer]

Too hot so been sweating? No sign of any nasties like lice or anything....?

 

[Troyseph]

He's quite fine, and doesn't ever get much winter fur in even when he wasn't rugged in his old home, he's only been in lightweight and med weight :/... No lice no, I know that for def x

 

[Orangehorse]

I have heard of this before. I think I would get the vet, before if it spreads as it can make the horse poorly.

 

[Apercrumbie]

As rainscald is a bacterial infection you don't actually need rain to get it. Sounds like it's either rainscald, he's getting too hot or some kind of skin infection. Either way, I would ring up the vet and describe him to them and see what they think the best course of action is.

 

[Fii]

The only time my big gelding got rainscold was when he was rugged!!
Due to this fact and that he wrecks rugs, he know hasnt had a rug on for years!!
If it where me, i would treat for rainscold, and put a lighter rug on. I would also try to leave the rug off for part of the day if the weather is dry!

 

[Marydoll]

Sounds like horses been sweating in the rug, is it just a couple of small scabs it doesnt usually appear overnight ?

 

[Troyseph]

Yes just a few dry small scabs! Very small. But quite a few. And now bald patches, about 3 of them, about an inch ish in size.?
Hmm might put him back in his lightweight then x

 

[Marydoll]

I'd Treat it like mud fever scabs, if he'll let you pick the scabs off and sponge with a dilute hibiscrub, then rinse with clean water and a clean sponge.
I use summer fly ointment on it and it healed up sweet on my neices pony.
If its not improved in a week or so, speak to your vet.
Id use a lighter rug, and make sure your rugs clean.

 

[PonyFeet10]

Am I the only one thinking ringworm??

 

[jenki13]

My horse gets something like this, mainly when rugged although she did get a patch at the top of her tail this winter before she was rugged... The first time I spotted it I thought it was sweet itch - very similar scabs & was march at the time.

Her hair comes out with the scabs & it looks pretty bad but doesn't seem to hurt the horse. I treat by using hibi-scrub & sudocream on the newly bald patches.

I think it might have something to do with a build up of oils/dirt in her coat as she is quite hairy & it only ever comes in the winter. If she sweats under the rug it makes it worse.

 

[Marydoll]

Am I the only one thinking ringworm??

Hard to say without seeing it, but the bald patches might be, the scabs sound like rain rash

 

[Fii]

I'd Treat it like mud fever scabs, if he'll let you pick the scabs off and sponge with a dilute hibiscrub, then rinse with clean water and a clean sponge.
I use summer fly ointment on it and it healed up sweet on my neices pony.
If its not improved in a week or so, speak to your vet.
Id use a lighter rug, and make sure your rugs clean.

I wouldnt be picking the scabs off, you will make him sore.
Wait until the scabs have come loose before removing!

 

[Tnavas]

As rainscald is a bacterial infection you don't actually need rain to get it. Sounds like it's either rainscald, he's getting too hot or some kind of skin infection. Either way, I would ring up the vet and describe him to them and see what they think the best course of action is.

Rainscald is initially a fungal infection - it progresses to a secondary stage infected with bacteria if the scabs get forcibly removed either by the horse itching it or owner picking at scabs.

Maybe your horse has got sweaty at some time and if the fungus is present it would have given it the ideal conditions to develop. I've seen this happen mostly with the old canvas rugs that have started to leak and the skin has got damp for a prolonged time.

Please DO NOT pick off the scabs - it is VERY painful for the horse. Use Nizoral shampoo and wash horse thoroughly. Dilute in hand hot water and work well into the coat. Leave to dry. With the weather so cold mix the shampoo in a pump spray, and spray on working in with your other hand. Keep the horse out of the wind, put on a sweat rug and a warm rug over the top - I lunge to dry in cold weather if you have a safe place to lunge.

Nizoral will also deal with ringworm too.

 

[cullord]

Am I the only one thinking ringworm??

Could be, but hard to say without seeing it. More likely to be the horse getting damp under his rug and the D.C. bacteria getting a hold. Its important to remove rugs regularly - even well fitting ones.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Am I the only one thinking ringworm??

I was thinking this too! Although rainscald is bacterial and doesn't need rain- it does need moisture to make the skin soft enough for the bacteria to 'activiate' and take hold.

More likely to be an itchy bit of his rug (check for scuffs on the inside) that have been rubbed at, or ring worm. Rainscald is not itchy so check that first!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

I would be 90% sure it's a fungal infection ...... Breeds in warm damp conditions! Get something from your vet, you will also need to treat your rugs!

 

[Tammytoo]

Am I the only one thinking ringworm??

Crossed my mind too.

Could also be any of the above - but don't remove the scabs, it will make your horse very sore and you could make things worse if you don't know what's causing it.

I would have a chat with your vet.

 

[horseaddict]

My youngster has just had the same problem. He is out by day unrugged and in at night. My vet has given him a 5 day course of antibiotics and advised using a mixture of baby oil and surgical spirit topically. Ive been gently massaging the area with this which is causing the dead bits to come loose leaving clean skin underneath. I was worried that he got it because he is not rugged, but vet said (as in the case of OP) rugged horses also get it. Ive been advised to keep him dry and not rug him. Apparently its caused by same bacteria as mud fever.

 

[Goldenstar]

It's sounds like a fungal infection ( it may be ring worm ) usually the horse gets a bit over warm moisture get trapped under the rug and make a lovely environment for the fungus and bacteria.
You may need the vet but I wash with hibiscrub ( well diluted ) or Malaseb dog shampoo then you need to apply an anti- fungal anti- bacterial creme or lotion your vet will advise.

 

[Troyseph]

Ah ok, I don't think it's ring worm, as he's not itchy at all, I have a bottle of malaseb actually so will give that a go! I've also just bought a lighter rug (40g) so will put him in that.

I only have him in premier equine rugs which state to have an anti bacterial nylon lining?

Thanks for the advice.x I've owned horses for 10years and never had this problem yet, guess I've been lucky x

 

[fatpiggy]

I'd be scrubbing the rug with anti whotnot too before I put it back on him!