Wither rubs

McNally

McNally

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I noticed a bald patch about the size of a 50p on my horses withers last winter and have rotated rugs, tried different makes etc. It never went but never seemed sore or to get any worse. He has huge chunks of white mane here (he is bay) so im assuming this has been an on going problem, I know in his old home he'd be turned out for months in one rug and not have it changed.
Where i keep him the flies are horrendeous so last summer i bought a Rambo protector for him. However last week i dug it out and started using it but when i rode him yesterday i notice the bald patch is now sore and inflamed looking. I took the rug off, Luckily its cooler today and the flies are not at their worst yet anyway.
Any suggestions? I thought of a vest but tbh apart from being too hot it would sit right on the rub rather than protect it.
Leaving him naked wont be an option in real summer as he gets eaten alive.
Just wondered if there is anything on the market to protect this area before i design my own!!!
 
Are you sure it's just the fly rug if it stayed there? I've had similar from a numnah/saddle cloth that dropped onto her whithers during riding. Can you borrow someone elses fly rug to see if it's just that make that is doing it? For the time being a good layer or sudocreme helps.
 
Hi, Well not certain its just its the only rug he currently wears and its too far forward to be any saddle cloth or his saddle. Am currently plastering sudo creme on it! amazing stuff ;-)
 
I have exactly same issue with my TB. He is currently naked to try and let it get better. I posted asking about makes and most recommend either whetherbeta or rambo or premier equine rugs. I am not looking forward to tryin out so many expensive ones. As unfortunately i can't just try for size actually needs them on. I need them for winter too not just fly rugs!
 
dizzydancer said:
I have exactly same issue with my TB. He is currently naked to try and let it get better. I posted asking about makes and most recommend either whetherbeta or rambo or premier equine rugs. I am not looking forward to tryin out so many expensive ones. As unfortunately i can't just try for size actually needs them on. I need them for winter too not just fly rugs!
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I am thinking somehow of getting two pieces of foam one either side of his wither to hold any rug up off the actual bone part! I guess it would have to be stitched into a lycra vest or similar.....you can copy if you like ;-P
I sympathise Mines not TB but does have crazy high withers and its difficult!
 
Yes i was contemplating getting a big sheep skin sad and sewing into fly rug! Can't really put vest on at least not in summer can in winter and it did help- rug only rubbed after taken vest off as it warmed up. I need rugs for massive shoulder too as for he has that too!
 
I saw one on Ebay last night which seemed to have a lycra insert over the wither area. The idea being so they can stretch down to graze but i figured it may also help with rubbing as long as the seam between fly sheet body part and the lycra section was small and smooth? Id like to be able to see one in the flesh! It was £27.99
Mark Todd also do a similar style but then we're going back to an expensive experment if they dont work.
 
My share mare has this too as well as a mysterious patch on her back a few inches behind the saddle (too far back to actually be saddle I think) I had thought it might be her gelding friend grooming her a bit too much, but maybe it is from when she was wearing a rug, except she doesn't wear one now and it seems to have got worse! Mysterious :-\ Sewing in sheepskin is a good idea as it would be breathable :-)
 
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