The skin - the most common conditions

Like every organ, the skin can be affected by diseases, contagious or not.

Among the contagious diseases, we will consider: ringworm, lice infestations, warts of young horses.

Ringworm
It is a common mycosis contracted through contact with a sick horse or through contact with contaminated tack, blankets or grooming instruments.
Contagion can also occur through humans (grooms, riders, etc.) and dogs who are in the presence of horses.
It is mainly a condition of horses in the box. Horses that live outside generally have more resistance and the fungus does not like the cold.
Be careful: ringworm is contagious for horses and humans!

Ringworm can be recognized by the presence of round hair loss, sometimes grouped together, sometimes distributed over the coat, scales, scabs and hairs which fall easily, leaving the skin bare.
If in doubt, a laboratory test will confirm the diagnosis. During treatment against ringworm, it will be essential to disinfect all the harness elements as well as the grooming equipment. The stable should also be cleaned thoroughly. Treatment usually involves the application of a veterinary antifungal lotion that kills the fungus, but not the spores. After a few days, the spores turn into fungi. You must then repeat the application. In general, the horse is treated four times, three days apart.
If you want to use natural products, take Equi'shamp 2 in 1 plus a few drops of Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Immunity plays a very important role; support the general condition with the help of a course of Equi'drink Immunotonic or a course of Equi'drink Drainage , associated with Biotics , antioxidants ( D-Tox ) and Iodamine Equine , iodine deficiency amplifies and facilitates the establishment of mycoses.

Lice
Horse lice live in the hair. The movements and bites of lice cause irritation, which leads the horse to scratch and rub against the available supports. The most commonly affected parts of the body are the neck and shoulders. If your horse scratches and is not prone to summer dermatitis or allergies, check for the presence of lice. You can see them moving around, or highlight nits in the form of small white dots stuck to the hairs. An application of Anti-Lice Powder once every six weeks will be sufficient.

Warts (of young people)
They are mostly found in young horses, particularly on the nose, lips, pasterns and genitals. Caused by the papilloma virus, this condition is very contagious. In principle, treatment is not necessary, after 3 to 4 months the young horse has built up resistance against the virus.
Our advice: help the horse increase its natural resistance with a supplement that contains sufficient magnesium, copper, zinc: D-Tox , or Equine Iodamine ; on warts: Equi'baume Tea Tree .

Dermatitis; allergic diseases
A horse sometimes develops a sensitivity to certain materials that come into direct contact with its skin, which can then react with hair loss, redness and itching; the horse will scratch.
The problem sometimes comes from contact with synthetic material but also from fly spray, shampoos or even certain plants. A cream against itching can provide relief to the horse. To avoid these disadvantages, it is important to identify the cause.
Allergy treatment can be undertaken, try: Equi'drink Immunotonic , D-Itch , Equi'drink Drainage or Equi'mixture Anti-itch , combined with Biotics .

Urticaria
The horse has patches of edema everywhere, which sometimes appear in less than an hour. This is an allergic reaction to insect saliva, medicines, ointments, food, etc. Sometimes it is accompanied by fever, a decline in general condition and lack of appetite. In principle the plaques disappear on their own, however it is advisable to look for the cause in order to take better action.
Our advice: Equi'drink Immunotonic , Biotics , followed by a course of Equine Iodamine .

Photosensitization
This is an inflammation of the skin, particularly non-pigmented skin, following hypersensitivity to the sun and even light. The skin becomes hot, red and edematous. Bacterial complications may appear.
Most often, we find that the horse has liver problems: certain toxins, instead of being eliminated by the liver, are found in the blood circulation in the skin.
Under the influence of the sun, molecules are released and damage the skin.
Our advice: protect the horse against the sun; Equi'drink Drainage or BLK , Biotics .

Mud itch = cracks
The name scabies is incorrect because it is not a true scabies. (Scabies being a disease caused by mites).
This is a bacterial inflammation in the pastern fold, caused by:
*the presence of mud, humidity but also dust during periods of drought;
*a dirty box (presence of ammonia) and “overcrowded” meadows overloaded with droppings;
*a lack of exercise (slowed blood circulation in the limbs);
*hypersensitivity to the sun, to certain nutrients such as clover, alfalfa, molasses;
*irritation due to mowing;
*small wounds, caused for example by bells;
*a drop in resistance, including liver problems, unbalanced intestinal flora, stress etc., will contribute to the problem;
*horses with depigmented extremities and those with a dense and long coat (Frisian, Shire) are particularly exposed.

Symptoms
*wet skin will crack and become infected, the infection will be accompanied by swelling: the skin is swollen and red;
*a scaly, moist eczema then appears;
*then cracks are located in the fold of the pastern, often covered with scabs;
*the horse may present lameness.
If treatment is not undertaken quickly, the disease can spread to the entire limb and affect the flexors and/or the lymphatic system (lymphangitis).

How to treat?
*take the horse out of the mud, into a dry and very clean box;
*you must wash the affected area with a disinfectant shampoo then dry, especially without rubbing. Never brush or scratch the lesions;
*the scabs are a barrier for ointments, if necessary, soften them overnight with vaseline, possibly under a bandage;
*cut excess hair;
*apply the ointment with gloves, make sure the jar remains clean, hygiene is very important!
*if the wounds are raw, apply Equi'baume Tea Tree directly, when they heal and the pain subsides, continue with Anti-mud Ointment or MSM Ointment . Keep in mind that an arena or arena with a sand floor will not help matters. Care should be taken to keep the horse's skin clean and dry. Support the general condition with Equi'drink Immunotonic , D-Tox .

Tumors: sarcoids
It is the most common skin tumor in horses, especially between 2 and 6 years of age. The origin is certainly a virus, but it is not certain. In some families there is a predisposition. Sarcoids are preferably located in moist areas: the groin, behind the ears, around the eyes, etc. You should always consult your veterinarian.
Our advice: increase the horse's resistance, first with Equi'drink Drainage and Biotics , then continue with Equi'drink Immunotonic , D-Tox or Iodamine Equine .
On sarcoids: Equi'baume Tea Tree .


Tumors: melanomas
These are tumors that involve pigment cells. They are found mainly in gray horses (more than 60%), often not before 6 years of age.
Some families are more sensitive to it. Although they are benign tumors, they can cause problems depending on where they are found: the anus, under the tail, on the neck; always consult your veterinarian.
Our advice: see sarcoids.