What is this...????

Question

why is my horses skin like this?

and what causes it?

http://i33.tinypic.com/o5owlt.jpg

he's a malnourished TB gelding and i'm nursing him back to health i've only had him for a couple weeks now

Answer 1

My Arab had what looked just like that one summer.  We ended up thinking he had become sensitive to the fly repellant we were using....we switched produducts, and it resolved, although I never new for sure that is wasn't something else that just coincidentally went away.  Big help, huh?

Answer 2

it could be some kind of fungal thing or rain scald. there is a company called equine natural remadies and they are great my mums horse had a sarcoid and the hair grew back in days ! have a look on the internet!

Answer 3

I have an anglo-arab gelding (half Arabian, half TB) and when he becomes even the least bit stressed, he loses hair like that.  Or at least that's what it reminds me of.  He is also quite prone to skin problems, so you should definitely get the vet to check it out.

Best of luck with him!  I have a rescue mare myself right now, and it can be difficult, but very worth it!

Answer 4

to me it looks like scaring, like when they constantly rub a bit of fur, if they do it enough the fur doesnt grow back and they are left with that type of mark but i dont know how it is all tiny and lots of them, the only thing i can think of that has caused that is constantly rubbing up against barbed wire...

Answer 5

It looks like the color called brindle.

Its common in dogs and cows but rare in horses!

Answer 6

The pic is fuzzy, so it is hard to tell if it is rain rot or insect bites or what.

Rain rot is a fungal infection.  when the skin gets warm and wet, it is a haven for bacteria and fungus, and they go to town!

in the end, if you aren't sure, your best bet is to call the vet.

in the mean time, Id wash the horse with an anti-fungal shampoo (won't hurt) and keep him as dry and as clean as you can.

Some folks also use listerine to treat rain rot as a home remedy.  I think it would sting, and in an area this big, I'd be really hesitant to try that.

Answer 7

it looks as if it is rain rot, if it has been raining around your area and your horse has been lying down then that could be the case.

Also look at your products because it could be an allergy to fly spray, coat gleam ect.

But as the first answer said it could also be the colour brindle.

If it get worse email your vet with a picture of it and get them to see if they can identify it. We did it when my horses got rainrot. :)

goodluck

p.s. your horse for a thoroughbred looks like he has a great weight on him from his gut point of view.

EDIT: one thing i jsut though of did the previous owners use spurs on him or a whip cause they could be scars from a spur or whip flciking and digging into the skin.

Answer 8

iam not horse expert, but just a thought, maybe he is having an allergic reaction to something that you gave him.

Answer 9

i agree with the above you might want to get it checked just make sure everything is ok

Answer 10

it looks like rain rot...call your vet and she can give you some topical treatments and tell you more about what to do.rain rot typically heals completly with correct treatment and has no long term effects...i just have to say though if you are nursing horses back to health shouldnt you know this already?

Answer 11

it looks like it could be some sort of fungal skin infection. Given that he is malnourished it is very likely that his immune system is deplited, it would be worth having a vet come and do a full work up on him if you haven't allready. Apart from checking out the skin they will be able to make sure he is sound in the heart and lungs and make sure there isn't an underlying cause for his weight. They can also do a dental at the same time as poor teeth is one of the most common reasons for skinny horses.

Also be patient with him as far as getting him up to weight goes - I resuced a tb about a year ago now and he is now just beginning to come up to weight, it takes time for them to gain it, especially as their gut can slow down if they have starved by the previous owner and it can take a while for it to kick in again.

Good luck with him.

Answer 12

From the picture, it looks like your horse has rain scald. Rain Scald is one of the most common skin infections seen in horses. The organism that causes rain scald appears in warm and damp conditions. This condition is not life-threatening, so don't worry. However, while the horse has rain rot, any equipment that may rub and irritate the infected skin (such as saddles and leg wraps) should be eliminated.

To treat your horse for rain scald:

1. Keep the horse in a dry, clean area that is very well ventilated. Give the horse protection against biting insects. Separate the horse from any others that also have rain scald.

2. Use an antimicrobal shampoo that lathers well. Vigorously lather the horse, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Be sure to follow with a conditioner that works well. Continue this for daily for 1 week.

3. Remove all scabs that are present. This is usually painful for the horse, so be gentle! The best way I have seen to remove these scabs is to temporarily moisten them (so they become soft and easy to remove). Be sure to dry the horse immediately after scab removal.