Rain scald!

[Caz_Beauty]

My horse has rain scald and I have scared myself by googling about it...I didn't realise I had to pull the scabs off etc...I have left them on as I was always told never to pull scabs off!

The scabs are in his saddle area and cover a space about the size of a dinner plate.

Any advise on what to do? Confused!

 

[KJW]

I always thought mud fever and rainscald were the same/very similar and therefore would assume you treat the same - i.e wash with hibiscrub (the scabs should drop of themselves when washed) and once dry apply sudocreme.

 

[capalldubh]

My horse had this last October - I didn't pull the scabs off, I just brushed pig oil and sulphur into the coat, stuck a rug over it and waited for a few days, then groomed as normal (when he'd let me - he wasn't too keen on grooming while his back was sore). After about 5 days, the scabs all just brushed out and skin was fine. I think the rationale about picking off the scabs is that the bacteria hides under them - but if you apply something like the pigoil and sulphur that penetrates the scabs, you don't have to pick them off (much less painful for the horse, I would think...)

 

[Tiy]

My vet told me to gently remove the scabs daily, wash with hibiscrub and dry really well then rug back up to keep the area dry. (although some say stabling is a better option as you can keep the area uncovered to let the air get to it and dry it out. Railscald loves warm damp conditions) I also used to spray with anti bacterial spray....just a colourless aerosol spray.....every couple of days too.