Q: My new horse lives in a field with a shelter but prefers to stay out in the rain. Big clumps of hair are falling out along his back due to rain rot. What do you recommend to treat this?
It’s important to treat rain rot in order to help it resolve quickly, as it can be quite painful. If it interferes with the saddle, your horse may need time off from riding until it heals. The sooner the scabs are removed, the sooner the skin can air out and recover. To help the process along, soak the area with an antibacterial scrub, such as diluted chlorhexidine or iodine. Allow the scabs to soften for a few minutes before gently removing them. This is usually painful, so take your time. Continue to treat the area with the antibacterial scrub daily for one week to protect it from further infection while the skin heals. Severe cases may require antibiotic injections from your vet.
Keep rain rot from coming back by regularly cleaning your saddle pads, blankets and brushes. Grooming your horse frequently and keeping him out of the rain will help. If you must blanket him, make sure his coat is clean and that he’s unlikely to sweat under the blanket. A waterproof, breathable rain sheet is your best bet if he likes to stand out in the rain and you can’t keep him in a stall during inclement weather.
This article originally appeared in the February 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe!
I lived in Florida so rain rot was a constant problem there. The best solution I found was always using a shampoo like micro Tec (my favorite} Whether permitting I bathe my horses after each ride or weekly for the retired boys. I also have had to treat the back of the foot for scratches by using medicated shampoo followed up with a good smear of desitin(not generic brands}this will soften the scabs so they fall of and it heals underneath. The desitin also keeps them waterproof to avoid recurrence. This was remedy I learned from someone on the race track, I has worked well for me. Micro Tec also makes a spray for when you cant bath them. The other thing about rain rot is by the time you see it the problem is already rooted so prevention is the way to go.
That you for this article. I will help a lot.
MTG also helps, its a ointment that you can pour on and rub in, it doesn’t need to be washed out.
Also spraying Listerine on the saddle pads and bits kills the germs.
Great advice.