At 15:20:32 on 09.03.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
My pony developed rainscald on his tummy this year, he didn't last year when he was unclipped. He was given antibiotics, kept in, hibiscrubed and sudecrem the area every day and it is nearly gone now on day 6 of treatment! Just wondered how can I prevent it next year? I was looking at rugs with a belly flap...eg the weathebeeta taka but it only comes in a 360mg fill and even with a fully clipped highland that is too heavy for him. 220mg on the coldest days here in scotland and it's more than enough! Any suggestions? - And before it is said, yes he does NEED to be clipped If I did nothing but lightly hack him then no I wouldn't. But i keep him at peak fitness over winter and do show jumping and dressage, it would become a welfare issue if I didn't clip him out for his own comfort.

At 17:46:27 on 13.06.10, Caseymyrealhorserox wrote:
there are several things you can do to prevent rain scald (aka rain rot) 1) Groom at least daily, epically those wearing blankets 2) Keep brushes, blankets, tack, etc. clean and try not to share with other people/borrow stuff from other people 3) Provide shelter from rain 4) Make sure all the horses are up to date on shots, deworming, and other health care and they are the proper weight. 5) Try to put him in the least muddy paddock and if he has a warmish barn take of his blanket if he has bedding (dont do it if he has mats as it will usually just make them colder) Now, I have a suggestion, you said he needs to be clipped, but does ALL of his body need to be clipped? You could only clip where his blanket goes, as this will help prevent rain rot/rain scald. If he starts sweat a lot you can clip his neck to but try to at least leave his belly unclipped, because it sounds like he is prone to getting it there.And getting a blanket with belly flap can in some conditions make it worse, as it will sometimes trap moisture which will encourage rain scald. Hope this helps!

At 17:58:09 on 13.06.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
Casey - All of the above is what I already do...and not all of his body is clipped only have his neck and under his bell where he sweats the most. Everything I have for him is kept clean including him! I was cleaning off any mudfrom his belly every night to try and help avoid it but still no luck, in winter when he's clipped he comes in everynight so he is not even exposed to the wet/mud for 24hrs! It's only about 8 -10 and I clean him after and hes in a warm dry stable all night!