Rain rot is a skin infection that usually affects horses. Warm, damp conditions and areas where there is high humidity and high temperatures often causes the rain rot to form. It’s been said that this condition is not life-threatening but if any equipment such as leg wraps and such that rubs and irritates the infected skin, should be disposed of.

What Causes Rain Rot?

Rain rot is caused by an organism that is called dermatophilus congolenis. It is not a fungus but acts like one. This organism is carried by the horse on his skin. Rain rot usually appears on the back of a horse or on the rump. It may also appear on the tips of the horse’s ears and around the muzzle and eyes. It can also appear on the lower limbs and when this happens is referred to as dew poisoning.

What Does Rain Rot Look Like?

Rain rot looks like large scabs or small matted pieces of hair. Often, there are many of these tiny scabs that can be found in the horse’s hair. They can be scraped off. Sometimes it is hard to tell if it is rain rot or another skin condition. If in doubt, call a vet.

Where is Rain Rot Found?

Rain rot is found chiefly on most horses in the US but most cases of rain rot are found in Southern Florida.

In order for this condition to exist and grow the animal often is living in a humid environment, in a damp stall with little ventilation, and the skin damaged by a cut or scrape. The scabs don’t bring pain to the horse but taking them off usually causes some pain and most horses will not like the removal process. So, it is advised to use caution when removing the scabs.

Rain rot sometimes will end when a horse sheds his winter hair coat. But, if the condition persists, treatment should begin quickly by a qualified veterinarian.

How to Treat Rain Rot

Rain rot is treated by first washing the horse with certain shampoos and rinses. The treatment consists of a specific process that includes the following steps:

• Keep the horse in a clean, dry and well ventilated area. Give special care that the horse is protected from insects that bite. And, separate the horse from other horses that have rain rot.
• Use an antimicrobial shampoo. Lather the horse well and then let the lather stay on the horse for 10 minutes. Then rinse. Follow up with a conditioner. Continue these steps each day for a week.
• Then, remove all scabs that are visible. This will be painful for the horse so use caution and be gentle.
• Then, the organism on the horse’s skin needs to be killed. This can be done by various ways using antibiotics such as potassium penicillin, sodium ampicillin, streptomycin or gentamycin. In addition, immune-boosting drugs may be needed to help the horse’s immune system fight off the organism and help with healing