Identifying and Treating a Ringworm Outbreak Among Horses

When you take home your first horse its a wonderful feeling. That same feeling hits you with each new purchase or birth of yet another horse. It takes a lot of work to keep him fed, exercised and in good health. Youll have to get him shots, vet treatments, special foods, products for his coat. Well, the list is extensive. There are some times when your horse needs a vet because you simply dont have what it takes to heal or help him. Other things, though, like common fungi, can often be taken care of without calling the vet.

Its almost a constant battle to keep your horse free from bacteria, viruses, insect bites and other skin conditions. Symptoms can be anything from a bare patch on the skin, to a rough, bumpy spot, to the horse constantly rubbing against things to scratch. If you can identify the problem you can often treat it yourself.

Ringworm is one common ailment which can affect a horse, but in no time, can infect all of your horses. Ringworm is a fungus which grows rapidly and can travel between the animals. Once one horse is infected the others can also be infected when tack and grooming items like brushes and harnesses, are shared. Ringworm is usually recognized as circular patches, which generally start out small, but can grow if untreated. The skin within the circle is generally rough and can have the appearance of a scab. If the ringworm isnt stopped it can become large and irregular, and in addition, can lead to secondary skin conditions and infections. The fungus is often noticed around the saddle area, girth, legs and face. Although the most susceptible to ringworm are horses under three years of age, elderly, and sickly horses, any horse can develop the fungus. When you notice a ringworm, immediately separate that horse from the others, and check the others for the fungus. Its necessary to disinfect all tack and grooming supplies which have been used with that particular horse. Mix ten parts water with one part bleach and apply it liberally to all the horses tack and grooming items. For the horse itself, use a medicated shampoo which contains miconazole. Treat the horse daily for a week then once a week until the infected areas are completely gone. Although the shampooing of the horse and the disinfecting of the tack should completely erase the ringworm infection, if you still see signs after the complete treatment, contact your vet. Source: www.horses-and-horse-information.com