Suspected ringworm on the yard...

[HayleyUK]

the little 12.2 on the yard has suspected ringworm, owners vet (I don't rate them personally!) is coming down today to confirm/deny and pony is effectively in its stable (in an small barn type set up) with a sign saying don't touch. Surely it should be isolated from others?

It goes in a small paddock next to our menage, and as far as I know hasn't been in contact with any horses my mare has been in with or is stabled close to.

YO doesnt seem to know if I'm okay to compete this weekend, or if we'll all be isolated. My understanding is we should all err on the side of caution if it is ringworm because it spreads quite quickly.

Called my vet, who have said really we need to confirm what it is before we make a call on what I can/cant do with regards to leaving the yard.. which leaves me a bit in the dark!

Vets don't work routine Saturdays & we won't have a diagnosis from the pony's vets till after my vets office is closed.

Anyone any advice to offer?
My mare isnt showing any signs of having anything nasty!

 

[ihatework]

It's ringworm, not strangles! Not the end of the world.

Keep your horse separate (like you are) and ensure your rugs/headcollar/grooming kit etc don't come into contact either. If the horse were mine, any not showing any sign of ringworm then I would still take them off the yard. Just don't let them get up close and personal with anything else. If your horse is showing signs then I wouldn't mingle!

Worth arranging disinfecting the yard and the horse in question plus it's equipment as a precaution.

 

[HayleyUK]

Its not a pony that comes into contact with mine, so I'm not overly worried just wanted to be sure!

My main concern was spreading the infection by going off the yard, as I'm competing at a fairly busy venue thats a riding school as well :/ but shes not showing any signs!

Thanks for the advice

 

[soulfull]

It's ringworm, not strangles! Not the end of the world.

Keep your horse separate (like you are) and ensure your rugs/headcollar/grooming kit etc don't come into contact either. If the horse were mine, any not showing any sign of ringworm then I would still take them off the yard. Just don't let them get up close and personal with anything else. If your horse is showing signs then I wouldn't mingle!

Worth arranging disinfecting the yard and the horse in question plus it's equipment as a precaution.

Echo

also vet will need to do scapings and they will take at least week to grow a culture before it can be tested so you probably won't know anything for upto 2 wks.
Then it can take weeks to get rid of.

Don't make the owner of the pony feel bad either!! (not saying you are) but it is just one of those things and its nothing the owner has done wrong!!

When I bought my new lad he turned out to have RW all the other horses on the yard carried on as normal, just kept away from mine. He was still turned out in field next to others as it was only under his rug no one else's horse caught it. I've been told a lot of horses are immune anyway?

 

[HayleyUK]

Thank you - Fortunately, I've never had any contact with ringworm before so wasn't really sure how much of an issue it was.

 

[Horsemad12]

My new horse developed ringworm a few days after I got her, the vet did not test as she has come from Ireland just treated it as ringworm. I would try and get some wash for the horse asap and not wait a week for a test.

All (yes it was a pain but) we did we keep her separate, advise people not to touch handle her, disinfected all that had been in contact with her inc tack, rugs, grooming kit etc. I washed my clothes / coat etc and then handled the affected area wearing disposable gloves (You can catch it too).

Nizoral (Dandruff shampoo) I was told can treat it, so I washed myself in that every few days just in case! (My mare had it all over her shoulder etc)

It took about 7-10 days to clear up but non of the other horses on the yard got infected.

I was lucky, everyone on the yard was really supportive and I think the fact they could see me disinfecting things / taking care really helped.

I would not worry about going off the yard, but keep a close eye on all of the horses for signs it may spread and then treat asap.

 

[HayleyUK]

Fantastic! Thanks..

I don't blame the owner at all its not her fault her pony has picked it up.

I think we'll be okay, just wasnt sure as I have no experience of anything I've owned having it or being on a yard where its come up.

 

[flyingfeet]

Think of ringwom as the athletes foot of the horse world - you can catch that from other people, but no one seems that bothered

As a side note athletes foot powder and creams can be used to treat ringworm as both are fungal infections.