Sweat rash / girth galls

[Horses654:]

Help
I have had a few horses in a row now that keep getting sweat rash / girth galls. I have tried everything from using a sheepskin girth cover, medicated talk, savlon, surgical spirits, germoline, no girth cover (leather and synthetic girth) And they still seam to get them.

I was off every time I ride with water.

I can't understand why they are all getting this. Any advice welcome

 

[Shay]

Some horses are more prone than others but the fact this has happened to you with several horses seems to suggest your management approach may be at issue? Also a sweat rash is not the same as a girth gall. Sweat rashes are body wide. Girth galls are only in the girth area - and not necessarily caused by sweating up. Washing off after you ride is good of course - but the gall forms because of what you do before you ride, not after.

There are a range of possible issues. Is the horse absolutely clean in the girth area? Even if you are just setting fair this has to be spotless as dirt will rub. Are you always using a clean girth? Even if clean is the girth older or stiff in any way? Are you over tightening the girth? Does the saddle fit as well as it might? Movement can cause the girth to rub. Sheepskin or neoprene covers are only good if they are clean - do you wash it every time? Are you washing in non bio? Sometimes biological powder can make it worse.

Sorry it is all questions and limited advice - you haven't give much to go on!

 

[Horses654:]

Yes I brush the horse before I ride so no dort etc around the area, the sheepskin is washed every time and brushed off after to make it fluffy again (not in lumps like it is after being in washer) x