Seriously numpty question - rainscald

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trundle

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How do horses get rainscald?

My little mare is out at the moment. I brought her in for a bit while it was so hot, but she's back out and now its pouring with rain. She hasnt got a rain sheet on as its still very warm, despite the rain. The sensible part of me says that she's a HORSE, she isnt going to suffer from being out in a few showers, but the fluffy bunny part of me says, "quick, get up there and dry her off, rug her up and make her anice haynet, so she can stand in until the rain has passed"!

But could she be at risk from rainscald if she is out in very wet weather with no rug? Help, and sorry for the consummate numptiness!
 
rainscald is a bacteria much like mud rash. Usually triggered by being wet then dry then wet then dry. or by sweating under a rug.

Shell be fine out if shes already wet without a sheet on

Lou x
 
Rain scald is a fungal skin infection, correctly known as dermatophiliosis, it strikes it different forms due to the different parts of the body it that it effects, for example mud fever in the legs/fetlock areas, greasy heal on just on the heals.

Poor skin condition, trauma to the skin and horses with pigmentation problems are more likely to get it, although the above will show slightly different symptoms but the cause/treatment and prevention are all the same. Excessive sweating, warm sticky weather along with the rain will of set it off.

You need to keep the horses back clean and dry and the pores in the skin need breath, depending on how bad it is and if you know how to go about treating it then I would get your vet to take a look, you horse may need a shot of antibiotics to fight off the infection and he/she will also advice you on how to treat it.


Antibacterial shampoo and a little hibiscrub, twice a day in warm water to take off the scabs, dead hair etc you need to promote new healthy skin, also always having a tub of flamozine cream (none prescription) to massage into the area, then making sure that she does not suffer from blocked pores.

Regular body washes in that area while its warm weather and then thoroughly drying her off after wards, if its warm but also wet then you will have to bring her in until it clears up while treating her.

Take a look at the horses diet and think about a supplement that will improve the condition of her skin/coat which will prevent repeat attacks.
 
by sweating under a rug or weather changing all the time the best thing to use if she has got it is diluted hi bi scrub and aloe vera jelly!
 
Is it a fungus or a bacterial infection?
confused.gif
I used to think the former, then someone said it was the latter,

H&H says bacterial infection

or
Fungus?
 
I think it is bacterial, and can vary partly according to what field a horse is in, as different fields carry different bacteria. Wearing a rug in the rain can bring on rainscald in tself, as the horse may get hot under the rug, and this would be iddeal conditions, warm and damp.

In short, don't rug pony for now
 
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