Rain scald!

smokey

smokey

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Just looking for suggestions really. Brought my mare in 2 nights ago as the weather is horrendous. She lives out normally, and as yet is unrugged. She was soaked to the skin the first night, so didn't brush her. Last night however she was dry, and in the course of checking her over I found she had a bit of scald down her back. It's not bad, just greasy scabs at the moment. She's staying in today as it is torrential rain, but too mild to put a rug on her. Obviously I can't keep her in 24/7 every day, is there anything I could out on to keep that area dry? Thanks in advance.
 
the only real answer to my knowledge is to rug or keep in on rainy days, i have a naturally hot mare i bought her a no fill lighteight rain sheet with a mesh anti sweat type lineing as i can't stand my horse been stood out in the rain but she didnt need rugging as she would sweat but was usually ok in the rug described.
 
Thanks, I don't have any suitable rugs at the moment, don't normally rug til it's really cold, but this wet weather has really caught me out. Guess I'll be hitting the tack shop!
 
As above.....get the lightest weight rug you can.

Once rain scald takes hold it is a bugger to get rid of and you may end up having to go down the vet route. We bought a horse this time of year that had been left hairy and un rugged, and only found the true extent of the damage once we had clipped him, and he still has scars now.

To treat we clipped ours out, removed the scabs and treated with mild hibiscub and sudocrem on the sores - it took until spring for it to truly clear up and never turn him out un-rugged come autumn.

Hope you get it sorted x
 
Just to add... it isn't simply a case of rugging!

I've known more rugged horses with it than without, because they are rugged to keep dry and sweat up which ends with the same result - rain scald.

I've only one who is prone to it. Vet recommends to just ignore as it's mild as creams will just provide a good environment for it. I pink lotion for a couple of days if starting to get worse to nip it in the bud.
 
My old mare used to get it regularly. I got a spray from the farm shop, cant remember what it was called but it was used to treat fungal infections. It did the job after one application she never got rain scald again. I'll have a look tonight to see what its called.
 
Mine are hairy and only rugged in very cold, wet, windy weather provided I can get the rug on before they are wet.

I stupidly rugged one the other week one day/night (unlined turnout rug, his fur was already wet) and he got rainscald from the nice warm moist environment I'd created.

A few days of gently rubbing sudocream into each scab and then scraping them off the next day with my fingernail and more sudocrem cleared it up within a week.

As a precaution, I tend to run my bare hands over their necks/backs/loins once each day to check for any lumps which are scabs rather than mudlumps so that I can catch it quickly, which was how I found it.
 
Suechoccy said:
Mine are hairy and only rugged in very cold, wet, windy weather provided I can get the rug on before they are wet.

I stupidly rugged one the other week one day/night (unlined turnout rug, his fur was already wet) and he got rainscald from the nice warm moist environment I'd created.

A few days of gently rubbing sudocream into each scab and then scraping them off the next day with my fingernail and more sudocrem cleared it up within a week.

As a precaution, I tend to run my bare hands over their necks/backs/loins once each day to check for any lumps which are scabs rather than mudlumps so that I can catch it quickly, which was how I found it.[/QUOT


This is my usual management, no rug until its cold and wet. Unfortunately I found her soaked to the skin the other day, after torrential rain, and that's obviously been enough. I've given her a good rub over with a plastic curry comb, and managed to get most of the scabs off. Her skin is ok, no weeping or hair loss. She's in today as the rain is awful again, am buying her a lightweight rug today. She also has a bit on her ears, bless! Have slathered them in filta-bac, and vet nurse advised thick Vaseline to waterproof them.
Thanks for you all taking the time to answer, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
tls said:
My old mare used to get it regularly. I got a spray from the farm shop, cant remember what it was called but it was used to treat fungal infections. It did the job after one application she never got rain scald again. I'll have a look tonight to see what its called.
Click to expand...

Thanks, would be interested to know. :)
 
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