Hi Everyone
Haven't been on here for a while, and I still haven't returned to riding, but I am still dreaming about it! Anyway, I want to follow Barbara's lead and wish all of you lovely "over 40" riders a very Happy Christmas and New Year. (And I LOVE the fact that this is one of the biggest groups!!!
Hi Jeanne
If you google rain rot you will get an explanation and what to do. Below is an explanation. I hope this helps. You can also search it on. www. thehorse.com. or equisearch.com. Any one of these sites will give you an explanation on just about any condition.
To prevent make sure you horse has shelter in rain and a breathable and rainproof blanket. Remember some horses will not use run in shelters and will need to be brought in to be kept dry. Supplementing the diet with a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement will help promote proper skin vitality and health.
The actinomycete thrives in an environment lacking in oxygen. So we need to provide a flood of oxygen to the site. Remove the excess hair (thin the winter coat, clip, etc.). Remove the scabs (soften them by wetting, and remove gently this is sometimes painful so be very gentle). Dry the horse immediately. Also remember to disinfect all the equipment you are using right now as well as if this is used on another horse you will be just transferring the problem, not curing it. The scabs are not found to be painful for the horses, but removing them can hurt horses with sensitive skin, so be careful and work slowly. Do not use ointments, as they hold moisture to the skin and we need the moisture to be eliminated to have the condition cease. Instead use anti-microbial shampoos and rinses. Lather, let sit 10 minutes, and rinse. Make sure you use a conditioner that works very well too. If Betadine, Phenol, Chlorhexadine, or Nolvasan are used you need to apply once a day for a week unless your vet instructs otherwise. Keep the horse dry, in a clean well ventilated area, protect from biting insects, and separate from other horses with Rain Rot. If your horse has a severe case, make an appointment with the vet to discuss one of the following products to kill the actinomycete inside the skin:
potassium penicillin, procaine penicillin G, sodium ampicillin, streptomycin or gentamycin. Immune-boosting drugs may also be needed for the horse's immune system to fight off the organism and heal. You might also use Sea Minerals Dermal Cream or Spray or Septicide Antiseptic Cream, however usually creams and ointments are only used below the fetlocks to block out moisture, and must be removed regularly and the horse allowed to fully dry out.
Critical in clearing up Rain Rot is disinfecting everything the horse touches. A good solution is 2 tbsp of Clorox and 1 gallon of water. Only use this on equipment not on the horse's skin.
Feed Calendula blossoms! A small handful (dried) daily heals from the inside. We used Shapely's MTG on a really bad case of rainrot a few years back (oily & messy but wonderful) and Calendulated oil topically is safe and healing.
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if someone could tell what I could about rain rot on my filly of 7 months. Washing her is out of the question because it is way to cold now and brushing her is too painfull for and I don't want grooming to be a bad experience for her. So what can I do for her?
Comment by Beth McGaughey on November 21, 2009 at 5:52pm
I am 47 and was in 4-H as a kid, now I am learning new things all over again and have a foal now a year and a half old for the first time in my life!!
Comment by Laura Coffey on November 8, 2009 at 11:45am
Greetings fellow over 40ers,
Yes I'm still at it, riding that is. My only concession has been (at 5'1") to move from a 16'2 H Warmblood to a 15'1 H Connemara. I figure it's not quite as far to fall. The better size match has helped my riding as well. No matter how strong I was, at my size keeping a big horse together is a lot more challenging than my nice sub-compact! Laura
My horse got a kick once and it became a hematoma. It does take a little while to come down. I was told to rub a linament on it, which I did. It did eventually go down.
It sounds like she is bruised more than cut or lacerated. I would say that if is the case it will certainly go away, sort of like you or I with a bad bruise where ever...it slowly goes away.
You need to be a member of The Over 40 Rider to add comments!