rug sores on high withers

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Sampson.rebecca

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Hi all,
Just wondering what you do to prevent/treat bad sores on high withered horses? would you feel despite being fully clipped to leave without rug on during day and on by night to let air get to it (with purple spray and savalon). or keep rugged with fleece bib?
thanks
 
I would get a large sponge, cut a hole out of it, place the hole over the sore and then put the rug over the sponge (which you will have to secure in place somehow). Sponge will keep the pressure of the sore and should allow it to heal. I don't think it's fair to leave unrugged, especially if stabled as they won't be able to keep warm.

Out of interest what rugs are you using? My TB had ridiculously high withers but they have never been rubbed by a rug (and he wears more than one for the majority of the winter!)
 
3Beasties said:
I would get a large sponge, cut a hole out of it, place the hole over the sore and then put the rug over the sponge (which you will have to secure in place somehow). Sponge will keep the pressure of the sore and should allow it to heal. I don't think it's fair to leave unrugged, especially if stabled as they won't be able to keep warm.

Out of interest what rugs are you using? My TB had ridiculously high withers but they have never been rubbed by a rug (and he wears more than one for the majority of the winter!)
Click to expand...

Thank you, will try that tomorrow morning somehow! Masta and a weather beeta :/ he is a 5yro, 17.2 with ridiculous high wither and hugeee shoulders, shoulders fine neck not. He is in really good weight hense im thinking nice sunny days (fingers crossed) leave him without for a couple hours then chuck on like i did today! horses! love them dearly but a pain in the bum sometimes! :/
 
There is one at work which is prone to getting sore withers when wearing a heavy rug. We leave a little bit of hair on the withers when clipping to protect them, and have recently been using a sponge tucked under the top of his rug over the withers. We don't use anything to keep it in place but as the rug is obviously fairly tight anyway across the withers to cause the problem in the first place, it pretty much stays in the right place on its own whilst he is in the stable. When he goes out for a bit, we take the sponge off for a bit and then put it back on. It seems to have done the trick! :)
 
My old wb used to always get wither sores from his rugs in winter.
Until 2 years ago..
Vaseline! A decent layer across his withers. Works a treat! Never had a problem since x
 
I'd be changing the brand/size of rug, if my horse was rubbed till he was sore. I'd use conotrane on the sore area and rethink using two at once - they aren't really designed for that.
 
Sampson.rebecca said:
He is in really good weight hense im thinking nice sunny days (fingers crossed) leave him without for a couple hours then chuck on like i did today!
Click to expand...

Ahh he should be fine without then.


Do you use full/high neck rugs? I find that they take the pressure off the wither more than standard necks.
 
3Beasties said:
I would get a large sponge, cut a hole out of it, place the hole over the sore and then put the rug over the sponge (which you will have to secure in place somehow). Sponge will keep the pressure of the sore and should allow it to heal. I don't think it's fair to leave unrugged, especially if stabled as they won't be able to keep warm.

Out of interest what rugs are you using? My TB had ridiculously high withers but they have never been rubbed by a rug (and he wears more than one for the majority of the winter!)
Click to expand...
I have done this and it does work, I customised an anti rub bib with the foam and it stayed in pllace.
 
3Beasties said:
Ahh he should be fine without then.


Do you use full/high neck rugs? I find that they take the pressure off the wither more than standard necks.
Click to expand...


All mine are full neck and made sure that the stiching wasnt near the withers (in the hope he didnt get rubs) clearly didn't work. My first winter having him so still getting to know him and never had this issue with my own or clients horses i work with and joy of a sport horse he just wont stop growing hes gone up from 6"6 from augest, now 7"2! thank you all for the replies!

so is it worth just savalon? no purple spray with sponge?
 
Get a thick piece of sponge, a length of parka nylon and a strip of hook Velcro.

Sew Velcro to parka nylon, sew the parka nylon to cover the foam. Put foam inside, place inside the cover so that wither is protected and the Velcro attaches to the lining.

You can also put ointment onto the pad and it will wash off later
 
I'd recommend looking at countrywide a Kadence turnout- the expensive Combo one (it's got 3 surcingles)
It has built in sponge pads either side of the wither.
I have the same problem with my horse but this rugs been great.
Other than that I find that continually swapping makes so the points of pressure is always slightly different.
 
i have several rugs I swap about with, but have just tried the amigo xl and they seem really good, they are not heavy on the neck as lovely light material, have plenty of room in the shoulders and are deep enough. I also apply sudocream if it gets a bit sore. Can't stand the full neck rugs though as i hate his mane being rubbed out, so just take the neck bits off all my rugs. I also find if i buy the rugs that are high cut they rub out his mane and make his neck sore.
On his turnouts I sew sheepskin to the bit that goes over his wither/problem area. nothing is straight forward in my house hold.
 
Thank for all the comments, his summer coat is now coming through so rubbed cream on then with his bib and a light weight rug on for the day will be sheepskin later but I think hair is starting to grow back! How long did you guys wait till back under saddle etc and stop putting cream on?
 
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