Scabby face help please *pics*

StoptheCavalry

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Last weekend I had noticed my horse had some lumps under the skin on his face. He has had this before on his neck when I first got him a year ago, they scabbed over and he lost a bit of hair, bit of cleaning and sudacrem seemed to cure it. Never sure what caused it thought. They have come up again and have again scabbed over and he's lost hair. They look a little like blisters now the hairs come off but they aren't oozing at all or causing him any discomfort although I imagine its quite itchy. Wondering if anyone had any ideas what causes it and best way to treat, I have the vet coming out next week anyway for his vaccs however last year when it happened and vet came out they said to keep doing what we were doing and didn't suggest what caused it....?

Have attached some pics, his face had just been cleaned so is wet, other than scabby face he seems fine, have also included a picture of him as I was trying to get weight on him, I'm quite happy with how he looks now although could do with more topline, any other pointers would be helpful.

Thanks

5BE98B09-0EC9-4076-869B-A8310BEE36D6-8349-000003ED5288D7F1_zpse0db3994.jpg

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Are they just on his face? It's difficult to tell but perhaps he is coming into contact with something in the field that he's reacting to. Otherwise I'd say it is perhaps a bacterial infection in which case you need some medicated shampoo or cream for it.
 
Yes just on his face. My initial thought was rain scald as he is completely covered other than his face, although obviously last time it was his neck which was covered at the time. I have cleaned it in hibiscrub this morning and put a little tea tree on it
 
Tallyho... Manuka honey on the scabs?

Someone should really tell him when I've made him a lovely bed and piled haylage in his stable on the horrible rainy nights he should probably not stand with his head stuck out the door getting soaked!!
 
Tallyho... Manuka honey on the scabs?

Someone should really tell him when I've made him a lovely bed and piled haylage in his stable on the horrible rainy nights he should probably not stand with his head stuck out the door getting soaked!!

Yes. Clean and apply.
 
Thank you, I have use a mix of honey and sugar on minor cuts so I guess it makes sense!! I'm sure hell love me plastering honey on his face tomorrow, can't wait for the shavings to stick to that ;)

Does anyone have any opinions on his condition and what I could possibly be doing to increase his topline?
 
Looks like rainscald. If using manuka honey get very good quality.
For that amount I'd probably leave to be honest. Vet always advises never to put anything on if mild so as not to give it a better environment.

Having neck covered means nothing. I've seen more rugged horses with it than without. Rugged damp or too much and it creates the same environment.
 
Pandorasjar - (ant quote on my phone sorry) the first instance happened just after he had arrived in winter and he had decided to do canter pirouettes round his stable so guess him sweating could have made a very clammy environment under his rug. Thanks glad he's not actually going bald!!

Just when I thought we had fixed the weight problem fixed another problem springs up, I swear he doesn't ever want to look pretty :)
 
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