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 The Skinny on Skin Conditions of Horses
There are many contributing factors that relate to skin conditions in horses. The weather plays a significant role as well as various insects that are around them. Another possible cause is the physical and mental condition of the, a strong or weak immune system or trauma.
Winters climate is a haven for bacteria to breed and wreck havoc on horses skin condition. Some conditions to watch for are:
Itching can come from allergies caused by the saliva of bugs called no-see-ums. The itching may appear on the shoulders, withers, back, tail also the hindquarters. The use of oral corticosteroid will ease the itch.
Lice bites cause extreme itchiness and present with heavy, waxy dandruff and bald spots. Dust or wash (with an insecticidal preparation) your horse including everything and everyone that has
come in contact with them.
The most appropriate method to avoid skin problems in winter is a matter of diligent grooming and cleaning.
A common skin infection found among horses is rain rot (rain scald or streptothricosis). An environment that is warm, damp and has high humidity is where this organism thrives. Rain rot looks like scabs that appear large and crust-like. They can also appear as small matted tussocks of hair. When the scabs are first removed the skin may be pink with puss then will turn gray and dry as it heals. You can treat rain rot by washing your horse with antibacterial shampoos and rinses and keep your horse in a dry ventilated environment. It is also important to keep your horse away from other horses that may have rain rot. It is important to remove all scabs that are present, gently, and then apply a topical ointment obtained from your veterinarian.
Skin diseases tend to occur in patterns. If you recently washed the saddle pad and there becomes a visible irritant on the horse in the area of the saddle pad, then you have a clue as to what caused the skin problem and what to do to ensure it doesnt happen again. On the other hand if the skin appears reddened on the underbelly and hindquarters, this is a clue that the problem may be due to insects or contact with plants. You can tell if the skin is itchy or irritating your horse because they will spend a majority of their free time finding a scratching post to alleviate the irritation or biting themselves. This visible check will help you determine the next step to take, which could be to either apply the topical ointments you already have at your disposal or to contact your veterinarian for a consult.
Queensland itch can usually be found when a horse with sensitive skin or has metabolic stress, whatever the reason may be, or difficulty breaking down a chemical substance that may be occurring in the feed or supplements. Another cause of Queensland itch could come from insect bites, mites or fungal infestation. Regardless of how it came to be, the best way to treat this skin condition would be with healing agents, immune boosters and antifungal/bacterial agents applied to the sections where the insects are infiltrating. As with any illness your horse may have if after you have applied your knowledge to the illness and your horse does not show improvements call your veterinarian.
During the winter mud rash can affect your horses backs or legs and this rash can be severe enough to cause significant lameness. This is a bacterium that thrives in a warm moist environment and lives at the base of the hairs. An effective treatment would be first to change the environment of your horse so that moisture cannot be trapped near the surface of the skin. Clipping the area that is affected and using topical ointments can also be effective. It is best to consult with your veterinarian and they will help you decide what is the most appropriate method to speed the healing process.
Mange is another skin condition and if you suspect your horse is suffering from this please contact your veterinarian. Some symptoms you may see would be itchiness, tearing of the skin surface due to excessive rubbing, which then would lead to a secondary bacterial infection at the site of the exposed skin.
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