My horse's rain rot won't go away! And he's getting old and showing weird signs. . .?

Question

I have two horses, but one is anywhere from 20 - who knows what! he's got rain rot that's not curing. . . and it's been very hot the last 2 -3 weeks! the vet gave us shampoo and we use it but it doesn't help much! also, he walks with his head tilted. the vet told us it could be an ear tick and she's coming back to check it out. is my boy okay? when should i retire him from schooling western shows?

Answer 1

Hmmm.... Most of my lesson horses are well into their 20's. And as long as they are managed and used appropriately they really enjoy their work - it keeps them healthy and feeling good. Exercise is vital to good health!

Rain Rot... Here is what I would do; Get a bottle of 7% iodine solution, and a good rubber curry comb. Using lots of "elbow grease" curry the iodine into your horses coat. The curry comb will remove the scabs, and rain rot is a fungus that is sensitive to light and air. Use liberal amounts of iodine. It takes a good 30 - 45 minutes to accomplish this. Then twice a day for 4 days take a cotton ball soaked in iodine and dab it on the scabs. In five days repeat the curry comb and iodine scrub. The next day bathe him and check him for active fungus - he probably will be clean as a whistle! Be sure as you bathe him to deep cleanse him with Aloe shampoo - Suave works great for this. Curry the shampoo in, and curry the rinse water through. Sterilize your brushes, combs, and Curry's in 3Tbs of bleach to 2 gallons of warm water - let them soak 15 minutes. Your brushes could be reinfecting him. Clean your brushes at least every week until the fungus is gone.

As far as the ear goes... It could be a sinus infection, early onset of EPM, ear fungus, an insect , or? Your vet needs to take his temperature, do a white blood cell count, possibly a chem screen and a cbc, and a physical exam of the ear and sinus area. This could all be connected. Often when an older horse gets run down, he is an easy target for all forms of parasites and fungus. I have my old guys blood checked whenever they look "poor" Adding supplements, blood builders, protein blocks, or switching to a senior feed can really make a difference!

Best of luck to you and your horse - and please do not retire him because like a rusty hinge he'll be no good in a short period of time.

Answer 2

My guy had rain rot bad when I got him/
The vet gave him a shot of antibiotics and a jar of Nolvasan creme with Dexamethasone in it to put on the spots.
We had to hose the spots and remove all the scabs and put cream on him. It took several weeks but this worked better tahn anything I have ever used for rain rot.
The head tilt I would be worried about. Have the vet run some tests and ask what they think. There are a few things that can make the head tilt.
I would at least give him some time off of the showing. If you have not washed his balnkets you could be reinfecting him with the fungus. You need to wash all his blankets and bleach all you brushes and grooming stuff.

Answer 3

Hmmm best you give him a spell for a while until his rain rot clears up and the vet has checked out that tick, ticks can make horses really sick, you should remove the tick ASAP, wipe its ear with some tea tree oil if you have too.

In the meantime whilst waiting for the vet, go pick him up a salt lick block get the good molasses one, they are full of nutrients that isn't always in the grass, this will speed his recovery. Good Luck!

Giddy Up!

Answer 4

I would retire him if he doesnt seem to get any better. Western can be especially hard on him. If you still want to ride him, just be gentle. If its just schooling shows its probably ok but go easy. Horses can get stuff like that a lot easier if they are under stress, and older horses can be stressed easier. Some horses really enjoy learning new things, you could teach him to direct rain for instance (if he doesnt already), or do some gentle trail rides. I would go easy for a bit then see how he is doing in a bit, but right now it seems like you have the right idea.

Answer 5

If the shampoo alone doesn't seem to be helping, you can try a betadine(iodine) srub or diluted bleach. I found they both work well though if your horses skin is raw the bleach will burn til it stars to heal. I also use bleach when I get poison ivy. You can try other shampoos as well and keep him dry. If he has any infection from the rain rot ask for some antibiotics and topical ointments.

Answer 6

Has he shed off? Is he out in the rain? If it's been hot and dry it probably isn't rain rot and he should have a summer coat now. Are you using an iodine based shampoo?
I wouldn't use him for schooling shows if he's less than 100%.

Answer 7

sorry to hear about your baby... I think it's time to retire him to green pastures... the rain rot is a really bad thing when it sets in to an older horse... once i used some dog mainge( i don't think I spelt that right) spray on my horse and it helpped him heal. maybe you could ask you vet if that's worth a try?? your lucky it's summer, it could be worse you know... maybe retiring him will give him body the time and energy to heal it's self? also if he starts to show signs of missing his job as a a teacher you might have to bring him back part time or let him watch...or else you might kill his spirit... best of luck

Answer 8

It' time to retire him.
Keep him seperated,give him a good iodine bath,brush him dry,there a lotion and spray found at most drug stores you can buy over the counter called dermaplaste.every time you brush him apply this,I mean brush him a couple of times a day and apply it each time,give it a week .

Answer 9

okay if my horse was like your horse, i would shoot and put it down, it aint right for a horse to suffer like that, i had to put down a horse and i buried it in the back pasture cause that horse was a great horse, but i prefer my animals not to suffer cause it makes me suffer