Rain scald

[spotty_pony2]

Looks like my boy may be verging on rain scald but think I’ve caught it early - he’s not clipped yet because he is a b*ggar to do so I’ve been aiming to wait until December so he only needs doing the once but I noticed today a couple of tiny scabs under saddle area. It is not the saddle - it along the part where the gullet is and there is clearance there, saddle has also been checked recently. He’s been getting quite sweaty when ridden and although I’ve sponged him off, I’ve put his rain sheet on when wet so I’m betting this is the cause. I’ve put some cream on the one scab tonight - the other one was tiny and came off. My question is, do you think I’d be better off clipping the hair just where the saddle goes for now? He will look a bit silly but you won’t see it when his saddle is on and we aren’t competing or anything. He’s at home so not many people see him anyway. Providing he will let me but I don’t think he will be too ticklish up there. Just want to get rid of it before it makes him sore as it doesn’t seem to be bothering him yet but he is loving his hacking and has been rather enthusiastic and with this warm weather he’s been getting a bit warm…

 

[Jambarissa]

Yes, never mind looks get some air to it.

My chunkiest cob gets rainscald in the gulley on her bum if I'm not careful.

Pink skin is awful. I've tried no rugs, no clip with light rug, full clip with various rugs. All rugs good quality breathable ones, changed twice a day and horse left to air and never gets sweaty yet we always get a few scabs.

Full clip, rugs on the lighter side and immediate treatment is my best protocol.

 

[HeyMich]

My bog monster used to get sweat scald under her saddle area - I got into a routine of clipping the area, washing with mild hibiscrub, and making sure she was totally dry before rugging.

 

[Arzada]

He’s been getting quite sweaty when ridden and although I’ve sponged him off, I’ve put his rain sheet on when wet so I’m betting this is the cause.

I wouldn't rug. Just put him in the field and he'll roll and dry off relatively quickly

 

[spotty_pony2]

I wouldn't rug. Just put him in the field and he'll roll and dry off relatively quickly

He got it last year when he wasn’t rugged - it’s the humid weather and remaining warm and damp that causes it. Also, I’m pretty sure it’s similar to mud fever in the fact that the bacteria lives in the soil so I wouldn’t him rolling and getting dirt where to scabs have come off.