pressure sores

[Nhi]

I have a 30 year old TBX whose 'figure' has slipped southwards and whose spine and withers are now extremely prominent - so much so that he is developing pressure sores on his withers where the rug is resting. I have tried raising the rug off his withers by putting on one of those lycra things (the name of which escapes me now but which are supposed to prevent the rug rubbing the chest) and stuffing straw under it. It works to an extent but he finds the straw itchy and irritating. Has anyone out there faced a similar problem? How did you deal with it? Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

[Kerry's Partner]

In humans, depending on how deep they are, they are a nightmare!!!!!!!!

I have no experience with pressure sores developed in horses but my "other" experience shouts that I advise you to change the rug so that there is absolutely no pressure in the same place. Also, you need to treat the existing sore - and how you do that really depends on how deep it is.

If it's only superficial then releasing the pressure altogether might be enough (but your horse is quite old now so this isn't certain). If the sore is deeper than "superficial" I think you need the advice of your vet because of the implications of treating something like this along the lines of "friendly" advice.

In any event the amount of pain/distress caused is relative to the depth of the sore and where the horse's superifical or deep sensory nerve receptors are.