This bacteria is in a family called actinomycetes these little things act like both bacteria and fungi. If your horses are turned out all the time give them a place to go where they can completely get out of the rain.

How To Treat Rain Rot In Winter Coat Defense

This condition is aptly named as it is caused by rain or moisture on the horses coat and is fairly common.

How horses get rain rot. When the horses skin becomes compromised by humidity high temperatures wetness or. Rain rot most often occurs when the skin has been compromised in some way. Many horses seem to be the happiest.

A few hours after coming in from the rain your horses coat begins to stand up in a peculiar pattern either bordered by the drip line of rain runoff or in patches. Technically known as dermatophilosis rain rot is the most common skin disease in horses and is caused by a bacterium called Dermatophilus congolensis which lies dormant in horse skin. Scientifically Dermatophilus congolensis is the bacteria that causes rain rot in horses.

As you begin to smooth it down you feel a radiating heat. It is also sometimes called rain scald. Typically it can be found on a horse with no ill consequences as it simply sits on.

Some vets advise to just sprinkle the dry powder on the horse while still wet from the shampooing. This area includes the back rump withers and shoulders. When you bathe your animals take a few extra minutes to scrape the water off of them to help the skin dry.

Rain rot can develop in elderly horses or immunocompromised animals. Malnourished horses arent healthy enough to fight off the bacterial infection. Neglect can also lead to rain rot.

Examples of this trauma are wounds scrapes or abrasions. The bacterial infection typically affects the top side of a horse the portion exposed to rain. Additionally rain rot is extremely contagious and can be passed from horse to horse.

Rain rot comes from the bacterium dermatophilus congolensis. Compromise occurs during times of high humidity prolonged rainfall or increased exposure to biting insects. Its a myth that only horses stuck in the rain without a blanket will get this skin condition though this is the most common way.

Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Practicing good hygiene and reducing environmental risk factors can help keep a horse from getting rain rot. Insect bites and excess moisture on the horses skin can also allow the bacterial spores to penetrate its outer skin layers. Pour it on or apply with a sponge.

Typically rain rot is found on the body of the horse though it can spread all over the skins surface. Any horse can get rain rot but horses with. First prevention is key.

Rain rot does best in warm wet weather. Scrape away the excess then let it dry on the coat. Horses naturally have these organisms on their skin.

Captan to 150 oz. If your horse develops crusty scabs that peel off with clumps of hair and leave bare spots on the skin then they have probably contracted rain rot. The signs of rain rot are unmistakable.

Horse owners should take steps to limit impact when these environmental conditions are present. Insect bites can create wounds that open the skin up to spores causing rain rot. It can spread through contaminated equipment ie brushes blankets and shared tack and biting insects.

They lay dormant until rainy wet conditions cause it to flare-up. How to Prevent Rain Rot in Horses. Keep insect repellent on hand and spray your animals to prevent the tiny wounds that can lead to rain rot.

Of water over the infected areas. The bacterial spores which produce rain rot penetrate a horses skin when it has experienced some trauma. Horses dont seem to mind the rain like people do so your horse is likely to stay out in the open under light rain.

Rain rot typically only affects a horses topside. When the skin is saturated or broken by bugs or cuts the bacteria can get in. If your horse is living in a pasture setting and has a run-in shed but no enclosed stall he or she will get wet.

Simply pulling the scabs off or brushing your horse out does not treat the bacteria. When a horses skin remains wet for an extended period the outer layer becomes soft and compromised. Bathe the horse to remove surface dirt and any loose scabs then rinse a solution of ½ oz.

Prevention is Better than Cure. Horses who contract rain rot are usually subjected to wet conditions for long periods. Rain Rot in Horses.

Prevention and Treatment of Rain Rot. This bacterium combined with moisture and warmth on the horses coat create an environment in which rain rot can thrive. Rain rot is a common skin condition in horses that is caused by moisture on a horses skin.

Because of this it is the most common in areas that get a lot of rain or have very high humidity rates The condition can look rather serious but thankfully its fairly easy to treat.