Very nasty wither rug rub. Advice re hair growth, numnahs etc

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JEZA

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I have had a beautiful pony returned from loan with a very nasty rug rub on his withers. it is open and raw (under vet). What advice can you give me for encouraging hair growth, and when he is hopefully ridden again in the spring, for numnahs etc best saddle design.
Any ideas, tips etc please.
Thanks
 
There are various brands that make numnahs cut with high-withered horses in mind. Or its fine to ride without one. Thorowgood make saddles especially for high withered horses. Is the pony particularly high withered or extra sensitive? If not, normal tack and equipment may be fine. Rug rubs as you describe can be caused by rugs left on for prolonged periods without being removed and re-rugged to reset it, or by using a rug thats too big and slips back so it sits on the wrong area and tightens excessively.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
There are various brands that make numnahs cut with high-withered horses in mind. Or its fine to ride without one. Thorowgood make saddles especially for high withered horses. Is the pony particularly high withered or extra sensitive? If not, normal tack and equipment may be fine. Rug rubs as you describe can be caused by rugs left on for prolonged periods without being removed and re-rugged to reset it, or by using a rug thats too big and slips back so it sits on the wrong area and tightens excessively.
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My girl had a serious of parallel white scars on her withers from an ill-fitting rugs in a past life. Needless to say she protested every time I put a rug on her, even though the ones I bought for her fitted perfectly - she couldn't forget the pain. I never told her off for it as she was only trying to make a point. It wasn't nasty if you listened, if you didn't and pushed her away she'd bite with more venom. Let her make her point and she would stand quietly.
 
When everything has healed try the pony with a sheepskin numnah - not the quilted cotton ones lined with bits of sheepskin but the ones made just from sheepskin or lambskin. They are less likely to rub the pony than any of the material ones where seams and bindings can 'catch'. They also mould to the individual back shape.
They are not cheap and you may need to get one made to the pony's exact shape, but if they are looked after they will last for years and years.

PS once he is fully healed, and if you need to use rugs on him, line the wither part of your rugs with sheepskin. If you are handy with a needle then you can do this easily yourself with a leather needle and thimble.
 
Sudocrem for healing, high neck rug if he needs rugging and use a high wither sheepskin numnah as mentioned on here already. The high neck rugs are really good for wither problems as they will keep clear of the area. Even adding padding/sheepskin, etc to a regular rug isn't as effective.
 
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