What is this on my horse? It looks like wound or cut, but almost covered in dandruff-like stuff.?

I noticed a few days ago on my 15-year old appy a dandruffy-covered wound, that is, I think. I'm unsure but it might be a skin condition? Please HELP!!! If it's serious I need to know to get it taken care of. thank you.

i forgot to mention that it's also in 2 or 3 spots. There's a big area (roughly 3'' by 1/2'') then there are about 2 or 3 other little areas (roughly 1'' by 1'' or so)

Andi
Any condition like you mention is serious! Correct treatment at the onset is a time and money saver in the long run. Like hives,rain scald, greasy heel/scratches,lice,mange,
allergic reaction,melanoma,ringworm and more:whew!
Your vet will have the safe answer and products. That there are several patches means all caution for contagion should be taken, and if it is painful be alert treating it with your vet recommended products.
Unless you are in a wet area with a lot of manure/bacteria causing agents, its not the season for greasy heel or rain scald... but that never stopped a horse you love from getting it! Good luck follow vets directions, and consider their fee well spent.

If there really is a cut, it might be infected and that could cause sort of flaky stuff. I suggest that you call your vet and describe the symptoms over the phone and get his/her opinion. Otherwise, try washing it gently with a diluted antiseptic and see how it goes.

it may be just a little dry skin that was rubbed on something if it is sore or leaking you need to have it checked out otherwise just clean it with some soap and water and keep a wach on it.......it could also be a fly bite it may not be harmful but could cause an infection if not kept clean......if it gets any worse contact a vet asap......best of luck on the heath of your furry friend

if you think it is a cut it may be infected. get a vet to check it out

Sounds like it could be rain rot-- Is it kind of flaky and maybe scaly?

Rain rot can appear as large crust-like scabs, or small 1/4 inch matted tufts of hair. There is usually dozens of tiny scabs that have embedded hair and can be easily scraped off. Underneath the scabs, the skin is usually (but not always) pink with puss when the scabs are first removed, then it becomes gray and dry as it heals. It is usually hard to differentiate rain rot from other similar skin conditions, so if you are unsure, call your veterinarian.

Rain rot is one of the most common skin infections seen in horses. It is also referred to as "rain scald" or "streptothricosis". The organism that causes rain rot appears and multiplies in warm, damp conditions where high temperature and high humidity are present. They get that from being in moist areas or having wet fur and their blankets put on etc... 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 taken off.

The organism that causes rain rot grows better without oxygen. Since the organism doesn't like oxygen, you'll have to eliminate the heavy hair coat (if your horse's hair is long and thick), and remove any scabs that hold the organism to the horse's skin.

It is not a good idea to use ointments on rain rot, since they hold moisture to the skin (and moisture needs to be removed for the condition to cease).

The best treatment is to wash the horse with antimicrobial and antibacterial shampoos and rinses. These medications help to kill the dermatophilus congolensis organism. If Betadine, Phenol or Nolvasan is used, you should continue applying them once a day for one week.

GOOD LUCK and don't worry =)

It could be any kind of fungus. Was there an actual wound? Where on the body is this located? I'm not sure if your problem is rain rot, but:

The most typical fungus found on horses is rain rot. This usually occurs along the back and haunches and/or down the legs in patches. Rain rot looks like black beads of dirt clumped together on the hairs and with some rubbing the beads come off with the hair. Rain rot is a result of poor grooming usually. If your horse is out in the rain and he rolls in the dirt, water will collect on the coat and skin causing a fungus to grow that destroys the skin underneath. When you rub or scrub the rain rot off, you're taking the skin with it. If your horse is pasture boarded and you don't see him every day it can happen to your horse.

To cure rain rot you need an betadine scrub or betadine bath, which you can find at your local equine supply store. Grab a pair of gloves so you don't get orange iodine stained hands. Scrub the affected area and make sure you wash the betadine completely off. Your horse may show signs of tenderness over the affected area, especially after you scrub off the scabs. If your horse is severely affected, only do a light treatment at first, then again a couple days later. Just keep in mind, rain rot is painful. You have to keep your horse groomed to prevent a reoccurance.

Any brushes used on your horse now carry the rain rot fungus. They'll need to be soaked in a cap full of bleach for an hour to kill the fungus. If you use your brushes on another part of your horse's body without cleaning them, you can spread the rain rot, likewise if you use the same brush on another horse. You'll have to treat your brushes, including saddle pads (if touches the affected area), after each use.

Good luck!

I agree with the opinion that this sounds like rain rot. It does to me as well- I have horses, and have worked with them for most of my life as a professional. Rain rot is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil- and horses pick it up when they roll in the dirt to clean themselves. You need an iodine scrub to treat it, and I would loosen the scabs first by applying a little baby oil to them and picking them off gently with my fingers or a soft cloth. Horses can get rain rot any time of year, though it is more common in the winter months in the northern parts of the US. Keep applying the iodine and baby oil until the scabs are completely gone. Make sure that you don't share your horse's brushes with anyone else- and after you treat your horse, you need to make sure that you wash your own hands with hot water and plenty of soap. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

where abouts on your horse is this 'wound'? if it is on the shoulders or hind quaters then it is likely to be rainscald, if it is on the legs then it could well be mud fever. I am a former equine vet nurse & experienced in this sort of thing, feel free to email me at amandathepanda100@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to give me more information.

In the meantime, the best approach would be to wash the affected area twice a day with hibiscrub (available from most chemists). If the wound is kind of crusty/scabby on the legs (mud fever) then zinc & caster oil cream is good at lifting the scabs.

that is totally normal for right now the horses are shedding there winter hair and growing there summer hair and some horse shedd all of there winter hair down to your skin and it is really flakey it is normal don't worry about it.

It could be mange or ringworm. You should be able to get some topical ointment for it.

You should contact your vet. If the wound is the shape of an "O" than is is probably ring worm. There is ointment that you can get to put on it. And watch out, if is contagious and you can get it. I have gotton it from cows before.

okay if it has scapped over pick it off so you can clean it. Wash him with salt water on the cut and clean it with soap. Salt water will help the infection decrease. The soap will clean the wound. Then dry the cut with a sponge/towel. MAke sure to cover it up with a blanket/polo anything to keep dirt from getting it in again. Make sure a scab is forming when you are sure the infection is gone a cleaned well. If it is not better in 5 days call your vet it could be something wronge but probably not. Good luck!