Home Remedies for Rain Rot in a Horse

Rain rot, a bacterial infection of the skin, thrives in wet weather. It causes painful scabs on the back, rump and lower limbs of your horse. It looks similar to other skin infections, so it's best to have your veterinarian take a skin sample and culture it to be sure of the diagnosis. Rain rot is sometimes called dew poisoning or rain scald, but no matter the name, it is an uncomfortable and unsightly condition for your horse and should be treated promptly.

  1. Keep Dry

    • Improve drainage in and around your horse pastures. Rain rot bacteria thrive in damp conditions. Sunlight and dry weather will reduce the dermatophilus congolensis bacteria that causes rain rot. During periods of prolonged rainfall, horses prone to rain rot should be kept indoors. If that is not practical, avoid pasturing in muddy areas.

    Clip Hair

    • Keep your horse's hair clipped to allow the skin to dry. This is most important for horses with long, thick hair, but all horses can benefit from a trim during wet weather. The hair tends to hold moisture close to the skin, creating conditions favored by rain rot bacteria. Disinfect your clipper and tools after grooming. Rain rot bacteria can live on these surfaces and reinfect your horse or spread to others.

    Avoid Ointments

    • Do not use ointments on rain rot unless your veterinarian advises you to do so. Ointments, like wet hair, tend to hold moisture and prevent the skin from drying. Wash the affected areas with a mild antibacterial solution such as Betadine or Nolvasan, and allow the area to air dry. Continue to wash the affected areas for at least one week after symptoms subside. Some horse owners use one part Listerine to one part water.

    Remove Scabs

    • Scab removal can be painful, but it is necessary because infection can grow under the scabs. Wash the affected areas with a mild antibacterial solution. As the scabs soften, very gently pick off the scabs. Use caution here; this is not something your horse is going to love. Start slowly and discontinue your efforts if your horse reacts strongly.

    Stall Hygiene

    • Proper stall hygiene is essential for horses suffering from rain rot. This is a contagious condition and will spread to other horses, so it is necessary to muck out stalls every day and keep grooming tools clean and disinfected. Remove wet or soiled bedding as quickly as possible and compost it properly. Install wall-mounted water buckets or other spill-proof watering systems. Good stall hygiene also keeps biting insect populations to a minimum.

    Protect from Insects

    • Biting insects can spread the rain rot bacteria, so protect your horse from these pests. A clean stall and proper manure management will reduce fly populations, and there are a variety of fly sheets, leg wraps and masks available to protect your horse from biting flies. Consider adding fly predators to the areas around your barn; they will kill the "bad" flies and reduce biting flies.

    Antibiotics

    • In cases of severe rain rot or if infection has set in, antibiotics may be necessary. This is not common, but if your horse is old or has a compromised immune system, this relatively benign bacterial infection can result in a more serious condition. If you notice unusual discharge from the affected areas or if your horse develops a fever, contact your veterinarian.