Rain scold and 3 questions...

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crystalclear

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Good Evening all :)

Just picked up a new pony that has a bit of rain scold on its back and I keep getting mixed views on the following thoughts I have. The rain scold is all fully scabbed up, there's no open wounds or anything. So....

1) is it contagious?
2) wash with hibiscrub or put on sudocreme or similar?
3) If it rains, rug or put in stable?

I've read it says its good not to rug as it can be contagious but can it and if so is this before the scabs are fully formed and when there's open wounds? But then some say its best to rug of it rains?

Many thanks in advance :)
 
It's rain scald...the same bacteria involved as for mud fever.

It's not contagious, gently shampoo the effected areas with Malaseb or something like that, don't pull off the scabs but soften them til they come off themselves. Dry the areas and then apply something soothing - vet gave me some cream when my pony had it but I used aloe vera gel instead as meant less rubbing in when he was a bit sore. Vet told me to keep him in to allow his coat to fully dry out/clear up - was a few days - and then put him back out rugged. Just make sure the coat is totally dry before you go rugging again though as otherwise the bacteria will get going under the rug.
 
I've also seen that if a rug is put on then it creates a warm environment for it to spread? Will be really good to hear people's opinions, keep them coming please :)
 
One of mine had it last year when out unrugged so rugged him this year and he got it worse! I'm using hibiscrub on him at the moment and he's being clipped this weekend so it's easier to get to his skin as he's very hairy then will be rugged if needed. Next year he will be in at night over winter. :(
 
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I used hypocare on one of ours who had rainscald. I'd tried hibiscrub and the cream the vets prescribed, then tried the hypocare and both vet and I were amazed at how quickly it cleared up. (NB I do not work for the company!)

Make sure any rugs are thoroughly washed and dried as it can spread.
 
Throw the Hibiscrub away it's far too strong for something like that!

TBH, unless it affects the saddle region in which case you can't ride (if it's a youngster that's not a problem) it will go all on its own with minimal interference from you exactly the same way that mud fever can clear if untreated.
If you feel you must do something then smother the area with something to loosen the scabs like zinc & castor oil cream, udder cream or Sudacrem then leave alone for a few days then repeat an application of the same; when you put it on do it in a circular motion gently as that seems to help loosen the scabs easier but don't pull at them, let them drop off gently; the coat will soon grow back, same as happens with mud fever.
You must also look carefully at the diet and add something like micro linseed and brewers yeast which are both very good for skin and hoof condition or feed a decent balancer which will give it everything it needs to replenish healthy skin.

As to rugging, personally I wouldn't as rugs don't breathe that well unless they are a simple cotton sheet but it must be kept dry (hence the no washing at all) so be careful of the weather when you turn out.
 
I have a new horse in that has had rain scald, the hair along his spine from wither to croup has gone. nice clean, scab free skin with fuzz starting to show through so needs nothing doing to him.

I have no option but to rug him, it has been bitterly cold (hasn't gone above minus 10C, during the day, for ages) and snowing here recently, and although I would love for him to get some fresh air and sunshine on it, that just is not going to happen right now.

I use plain old baby oil to loosen scabs if I have to, although I usually just let them work themselves loose with the gentle aid of a rubber curry comb, then I rub on a bit of MTG. Vet calls it snake oil, but whatever ;)
 
It is contagious, do not share brushes, rugs etc

Hexocil and pevidene shampoo, scrub it in, leave it on.

Clipping will help clear/prevent it and if you can't clip, trimming the hair off will help.

If you can keep it away for three years it will bog off for good. This means H&P baths in winter whether they have it or not.
 
I'm another that would not use hibiscrub i use diluted milton, anti bacterial, fungal and viral and more gentle. I'd then sudocream if not wearing rug or dry area and then put rug on
 
Clipping really helps get to the area and you may find once clipped you find more of it. It is contagious so clean everything after use preferably with virkon or something similar.

Rugs need to be cleaned as well, I found with my boy a light summer sheet under his normal rugs was good so then I only had one ring to clean as Ihate cleaning turnouts. Hs kept coming back until I was totally anal about disinfecting everything now he hasn't had it for a few months.
 
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