TB mare, rarely worked, has some infection ?

Question

i have recently started riding a thoroughbred mare, she was abandonded at the place i ride at, she's quite under weight, she's about 20-25 years old, she bucks going into canter, and over jumps alot, she gets overly nervous and freaks out alot.

but recently we've noticed she has this weird sking infection on her back (either side of her spine) it makes the hair all white, and sticks to her like when sweaty. it looks itchy, but we haven't caught her scratching at it.

does anyone have any idea what it is ?

i'm so confused by it, and would like to help her with it.

Answer 1

Defintely call a vet - this could be any one of a number of skin infections.  Ideally check with that vet as to her needs for nutrition and supplements - a neglected horse at that age really needs TLC - not to be out working until it's well known she's in optimum condition.

A horse doesn't buck for :"no reason" - although it doesn't appear she's scratched the irritated or "strange" area on her back doesn't mean she doesn't hurt or isn't irritated by it.  Could this be a reason she was abandoned?

I think you may get some responses that may be unkind because you've left out a few details - we are kinda left to fill in the blanks - hopefully you're still there and will edit your question to include information like:

1.  If she was abandoned and underweight, is she still underweight?  Your question states "she's quite under weight" - if she is still underweight you are not a kind person to be taking her out and requesting she work.  I'd buck you off too.

2.  Has she seen a vet?  If she's underweight, has an unknown skin irritation on either side of her spine (ie, right where a saddle sits) and you are riding and asking her to canter and jump, not only would I buck you off, I'd probably bite you too if I were her.

3.  If she's THAT abandoned, underweight and unhealthy, she's learned to mistrust humans for not caring for her well = I've be quite overly nervous and freak out as well.  A good horseman/woman would know that a horse such as this should be started at basic levels establishing confidence and understanding what she knows before ever getting on and asking her to canter or jump.  If a horse "freaks out" when you're on it's back; either it hasn't been properly trained or you are not a proper rider to establish trust and confidence - go back to basics and learn how to communicate and interact with horses at their level before getting on one again - it will help you gain knowledge about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses and be better all round for any horses you intend to interact with.

For pity's sake, I picture this old mare, malnourished with wounds being saddled and requested to run out of her stall and jump - not a pretty picture.....

Answer 2

it could be rain rot if the horse was abandoned then it probably hasn't been washed or groomed regularly try medicated shampoo or horsemens dream fung-away

Good Luck!

Answer 3

First of all, an underweight senior mare shouldnt be worked over fences right away or let alone worked at all.  She is over jumping and bucking due to discomfort by the sounds of things.  Id suggest lounging her a few times a week, lightly to get her back into "working" shape, as best working shape that a 20-25 yr old TB mare can get anyway.  As far as her "freaking out", Iam going to assume she hasnt been worked in a long time so Id be working lots, like I said with lounging and ground work first to get her confidence back with lots of things.  Riding her right now is just going to add to any issues I think.  

Otherwise as far as her back goes, your best bet might be to take a photo and post it for us to see.  Because Iam really unsure what to picture.  Otherwise if it causes her hair to go WHITE, Iam might guess that the saddle doesnt fit properly? Causing bad rubs? Maybe she has an aggrivated case of rain scald (or rain rot) that is rubbing off when being ridden?  Id definatley leave her un ridden with this until you find out what it is and how to treat it.  Id start by giving her a good bath and if worse comes to worse and the issue doesnt get any better, have a vet out to continue with a veterinary treatment.

Good Luck :)

EDIT**

That photo shows me rain rot ALL over.  Easy to fix but may require a veterinary prescription for a daily spray on treatment. Regardless she needs to see a Vet to have this taken care of.  And if she was "abandonned" she technically belongs to no one....So someone better step up and do something for this horse or else she is going to break down.

Answer 4

My first question is why are you jumping her at that age?

My second is have you had her checked out by the vet as soon as you got her? If not get him out asap and while he is there, get him to give her a full check to make sure there is nothing else wrong.

I dont know what it is but it doesnt sound serious, this doesnt mean to say it isnt so get the vet out and best to stop jumping her because older horses develop arthritus very very quickly so when you do ride her, keep work to canter at the most and dont jump much more than ground poles.