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  Discussion on Rain Rot
Author Message
New Member:
storm65

Posted on Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 - 2:56 am:

Hi,
I have a 17yr old gelding that I think has rain rot but I am not sure if it is the summer or winter type and have a few more questions.
He has it in his saddle area and now it seems to be starting to crawl up his neck. He was ridden about 3 weeks to a month ago and when I first saw what was happening, I thought it was just where the saddle pad had been (we cannot rinse him after riding as he is DEATHLY afraid of the hose). Because we live in a place where there is a long and cold winter, I thought it was just the long, winter hair pressed down as he was still shedding out. Then, I noticed it wasn't going away, even after brushing him repeatedly.
All of a sudden, his hair started to come out in big clumps with what looked like skin attached. I had seen rain rot once on a TV program, this looked similar, so I asked a friend. She said I should brush him out really good and apply corn oil or bagbalm. She said all "rain rot" was is dry skin. He was so sensitive to the touch at that time. After I pulled all the excess hair off (by hand, no brushes) the soreness seemed to go away. I threw the hair on the ground. That was yesterday.
I brushed him out really good today with a curry comb (gently) and since I had removed all of the, what I now know to be scabbing, previously, I just brushed him gently and he seemed OK but he now looks like there is a saddle pattern of dirt and tiny, dry skin flakes!
After I brushed him today, I also did one of my mares. She is in the same corral as him. Since I didn't know what I was dealing with, I stupidly brushed her with the same curry combs and threw his hair on the ground. Should I begin treatment on her right away as well? All of my horses are in a "community" type corral setting; just is separate corrals. Only the mare that is in with him has physical contact. Should I be concerned about all the others as well?
Since I have never actually seen rain rot before I'm not sure why, when I read the description and see the pictures here, his hair came off like the winter type but the skin under looks more to be of the summer type. Could you help me with what you think? Also, in the eight years I have had him, he has not ever let me wash him with a hose and is not sure about the bucket of water either. Have any suggestions on how to get the treatments off and spray the others on?? Could he be less painful because almost all of the scabbing was already removed? Do you think it is starting to clear on it's own? If it is starting to clear on it's own, can I still do the treatments, just to be sure, make him more comfortable, and make it clear up quicker?
He is currently getting only a senior as a supplement. Should I be giving him something for immune as well?
Thank you and we will be looking forward to hearing from you! J.S. & R.L.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 - 8:17 am:

Welcome Reed Baxter,
You should treat those with signs of active disease: still forming new scabs. If you wanted to try to avoid the others from getting it I see nothing wrong with a antibacterial shampoo.

We have a article on training horses to tolerate mildly adverse events and you will find the description at, Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Modifying a Horses Behavior: Conditioned Responses.

As to nutrition you must look at the whole diet so review "Overview of Nutrition" for recommendations on feeding. I do not know of any supplement to clearly boost the immune function of a otherwise healthy, well fed horse.
DrO
New Member:
storm65

Posted on Friday, Jul 11, 2008 - 4:15 am:

Dear Dr. O,
Thank you for the advice and for responding so quickly. I went to the local feed store and she sold me some special shampoo designed for this sort of thing. I also read the advice on horses that have aversion to certain procedures, etc...
I am glad to say that my gelding is doing fantastic! His hair has almost totally filled in and I haven't had any more behavior issues with the bathing. I can even wash/rinse him with the hose!
I am also glad to say that, per your advice, I bathed the others as well. None of them has shown any sign of the rain rot. I am so relieved!
I have also switched his feed to a higher protein diet and am still supplementing him with senior. He seems to be feeling better all the way around.
Thank you again!
J.S. Boyter
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