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Discussion on Bed Rubs?
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 - 5:02 pm:
My horse has these two circular areas on each hip/butt where the hair is basically being rubbed off. It's getting worse and it's happen before (the same time last year in brutally hot south florida) but not nearly this bad. It's obvious that it's from when he's laying down, it's worse on his left side which is the side he lays on the most. There is no skin irritation (that is visible or to the touch).
He is 17.2h draft/warmblood , a very large horse so he is heavy but he doesn't have this problem most of the time. I keep his bedding super thick and fluffy so I don't think there's anything I can do there. Is there anything else that can be done to prevent this?
More so, what can I do to promote the hair to regrow?
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 - 6:21 pm:
If you just keep the skin in the area soft it should grow back. I've also used Mega-tek by Eqyse which seemed to help it grow even faster.
I have a young mare that hurries through the open run-in door and often hits her hip in the same area.
I don't know what to do to prevent you guy from getting these rubs unless you tried using a sheet...maybe one of those heavy mesh UV/fly sheets?
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Member:
corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 - 8:14 pm:
If there is no wound, for hair regrowth my farrier swares by Preparation H since it's anti-inflammatory the hair will grow back in the same color as well. I must admit I tried it on the same two spots on Demetrius when his fly sheet rubs and it did grow back nicely and white, or it would have in spite of it. Would this be an old wive's or shall I say farrier's tale Dr O?
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 6:26 am:
Hello Melissa,
We often see hair loss on the hocks from laying down because most horses spend most their time down in sternal recumbency but the tops of the hip is a bit odd: does he spend long periods just completely laid out (lateral recumbency)? Another reason you see hair loss and wounds in this area is the horse hits this area as they go through narrow passage ways, like stall doors. Until we can address the cause I am not sure how much success we will have regrowing hair. Is there a reason your horse spends excessive amounts of time down or does this happen in a predictable time and place? I was thinking that a fly sheet might prevent abrasion but would not help the pressure issue.
Other than keeping the area clean and dry I am not sure anything will promote extra hair growth other than Rogaine. Once hair is lost in the middle of a season you often have to wait until the next hair growth period (winter coat) before it starts back.
More importantly to this particular case is that applying medications to an area that is suffering from excessive pressure or abrasion might macerate (excessively moisturize) the skin making it more prone to erosion and ulceration.
DrO
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 11:24 am:
Thanks Dr. O.
First, I said hip as I am thinking of the human body but it's actually the "thigh area" as the meaty area a bit behind his stifle towards his back end. It's exactly where he lays. It's not that he's laying more often, I think it's because in the summer he sweats when he lays and moves around a little more. I think he lays down more than most horses in the barn(but they are mostly more spirited TB's who never seem to relax) but I wouldn't say alot. I'm not sure what's considered a normal amount of time. He takes an afternoon nap for about an hour or so and I think he lays down quite a bit of the night.
I tried using the fly sheet which is actually a softer fabric(I have a Rambo Fly Protector) but it's still getting worse. Unfortunately, I started Eqyss mega-tek rebuilder, I guess thats a bad idea.
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Member:
dwinans
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 7:30 pm:
Melissa,
Is it possible for you to post a photo?
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 9:16 pm:
I have attach a couple of photos. He has the same rub on the other side but you can't tell because no skin is showing his hair is just wirey from being rubbed.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 9:55 pm:
Hi Melissa, I know no matter how deep I keep the bedding they manage to move it around and get sores.
One thing I found that helped was a deep layer of straw over the bedding it doesn't move around as much as shavings. He may eat some tho, and it is a little harder to clean, but once you get a system it isn't too bad. Once you get that solved I think his hair will grow back with no problem. Good luck.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 7:35 am:
Melissa, I have not seen a horse develop decubital problems in that area alone. It is fleshy so does not concentrate pressure like the bony prominences that are more commonly effected.
I would continue the sheet as long as you can insure it is clean and dry consider that things may have been even worse without it. The rubbing of the soft cloth has to be less abrasive than the ground and perhaps heavier protection needed. I would discontinue anything wetting the skin. Does Diane describe a problem you are having? The only for sure cure will be to find ways to cushion the areas that are being traumatized. Other than keeping the area clean and dry, I don't believe there are any sprays or therapies that will help.
DrO
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 8:54 am:
Thanks Diane, Thanks Dr. O.
I will definitely keep using the sheet. I wish I could use his cotton stable sheet as it's much softer but it's SOOOOOOOOO hot and humid here that he would be drenched if I did. I am also going to get straw, I never thought of that. It is miserable to clean as I have a messy horse, but it will be worth it. I went to visit my friend in Germany and thats all they use in their horses stalls and I remember thinking, oh god, I would never use that. Well, never say never.
I do think the reason it's gotten so bad is because it's so hot, he sweats in the areas that are against the ground, keeping the area moist so when it rubs it turns out like it has. In the cooler months it never looks like that. I will definitely try to keep the area as dry as possible.
Thank you so much for your help and advise. This site is the best. I have learned so much from reading everything. It's amazing how much there is to learn and so little people tell you.
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Member:
hezajet
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 10:32 am:
Hello Ms. Melissa,
We live in Florida.........Our experience to resolve the sweat issue & bed sores~~
(1) was to tear down the concrete/wood barn also using fans and replaced the barn with a shed row design with fans.
(2) we also took out the regular stall mats and replaced them with a stall mattress system.....This provides great cushion and NO more urine seeping into seams. The system provides you with a single sheet, cut to your stall specifications to cover the mattress system!! WE LOVE it,( NO MORE airing out stalls!!) and so do or senior citizens..ages 24 through 37 !! 
(3) We then use a cardboard bedding.
This adds additional cushion for our heavy sleepers <lol> is MUCH better for the respiratory and cost effective !! Less waste, Easy to clean and breaks down within 4 to 7 days as opposed to sawdust!!!
Before we introduced the stall mattress, and were only using our old stall mats....we used the cardboard as bedding and this alone ......ELIMINATED having ANY bed sores!!
(4) Hair re-growth with NO white hair coming in, PROVIDING there is NO skin problems associated with the sores....ie.."bed sores/rubs", we have used, good ol' VASELINE.......rubbed in real well and Desitine on areas where there were skin disorders associated with the hair loss.
Hope this info helps.........
Many Smiles & Happy Horse Wishes sent out to U & yours 
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 11:26 pm:
Well, I lease a farm here in Wellington FL, I'd love to do all of that , but it's not mine to do with.
I read about the mattress system and I will def. do that when I build my own barn. I've never heard of cardboard bedding, I will look into that. It just seems like it would be too light and he drags his feet when he walks around in his stall. I don't imagine they would stay put. But I would really like to check it out. It sounds softer.
Moose sleeps on at least 12" of shavings plus the extra 12" he digs down from the shavings banked up. He seems to know how to make his bed the way he likes. I use pine shavings that end up lacking fluff once his 1800lbs is weighed down, but I suppose that will be a problem not matter what I use.
Thank you so much everyone for your input. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm going to add straw to the top of his bedding tomorrow.
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 9:50 pm:
Well, I tried the straw and after a week I couldn't stand it anymore, I was so grossed out with it I mucked it out everyday and replaced it. I only put it on top of the shavings, but Moose drags his feet in the stall and so you can imagine where they all ended up (not where they needed to be).I ended up adding some super fluffy and soft pine shavings to the pine chips I normally use. So now its 50/50. I've been putting Eqyss MegaTek Rebuilder on the area in the morning and in the afternoon. The area has improved alot. I think the softer shavings have kept it from getting worse and the MegaTek has helped the skin and the hair grow back.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:33 pm:
Good news Melissa, that straw is a pain and can get quite stinky, especially if your horse is a pig in his stall.
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