Common Skin Conditions in Horses: 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston 🐴✨

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of AskAVet.com. The skin is your horse’s largest organ—an essential barrier against pathogens and injury. In this 2025 guide, we explore the most common skin conditions in horses—how to identify them, treatment strategies, and prevention tips to keep your horse’s coat healthy and itch-free. Let’s dig into dermatology! 🧠

🧪 1. Rain Rot (Dermatophilosis)

• Cause: Bacteria (Dermatophilus congolensis) thrive in moist conditions.
• Signs: Crusty scabs, hair loss over back, rump, shoulders; raised tufts of matted hair.
• Diagnosis: Clinical exam + microscopic evaluation of scabs.
• Treatment: Clip area, use chlorhexidine or iodine-based shampoos 2–3×/week; keep dry and clean.
• Prevention: Provide shelter during wet weather, avoid sharing tack.

🌧️ 2. Mud Fever (Pastern Dermatitis, Scratches)

• Cause: Mixed infection (bacteria, fungus, yeast); aggravated by wet, muddy conditions.
• Signs: Scabby lesions and swelling on pasterns and heels; often painful.
• Treatment: Clip hair, clean with antiseptic scrub, dry completely, apply antimicrobial cream; bandage if severe.
• Prevention: Keep legs clean and dry; use protective leg wraps in muddy turnout.

🧫 3. Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

• Cause: Fungal infection (e.g., Trichophyton spp.); contagious to other horses and humans.
• Signs: Circular hair loss, scaly, raised skin often on face, shoulders, girth.
• Diagnosis: Fungal culture or Wood’s lamp test.
• Treatment: Antifungal shampoo (miconazole, enilconazole); isolate infected horses.
• Prevention: Disinfect tack, grooming tools; isolate new arrivals.

🖤 4. Sarcoids

• Cause: Tumors linked to bovine papillomavirus; not life-threatening but persistent.
• Types: Occult (flat), verrucose (warty), fibroblastic (fleshy), nodular.
• Treatment: Topical cytotoxics (e.g., Xxterra), laser removal, surgical excision, immunotherapy (e.g., BCG).
• Prevention: Protect wounds with fly repellent; early treatment of lesions.

🎭 5. Equine Melanoma

• Cause: Tumors common in gray horses, often near tail, lips, and sheath.
• Signs: Firm, dark lumps; may be benign or progress to malignancy over years.
• Treatment: Surgical removal, oral cimetidine, newer immunotherapy injections (ONCEPT melanoma vaccine in trials).
• Monitoring: Document size/location; report sudden growth to your vet.

🦠 6. Urticaria (Hives)

• Cause: Allergic reaction to feed, insect bites, vaccines, or environmental allergens.
• Signs: Raised, soft bumps over neck, flank, or trunk; may resolve quickly or persist.
• Treatment: Antihistamines (hydroxyzine), corticosteroids if severe; ID allergen if possible.
• Prevention: Rotate feed ingredients gradually; monitor vaccine response history.

🪰 7. Insect Hypersensitivity (Sweet Itch)

• Cause: Allergy to bites from midges (Culicoides spp.).
• Signs: Tail rubbing, mane loss, itchy skin, scabbing in warm months.
• Treatment: Antihistamines, fly sheets/masks, topical cortisone or anti-itch sprays.
• Prevention: Avoid turnout at dawn/dusk; use fans, fly repellents, and midge-control products.

🧬 8. Photosensitivity & Sunburn

• Cause: Reaction to sunlight, sometimes from ingestion of photoreactive plants (e.g., St. John’s wort).
• Signs: Crusting, redness, and ulceration of white-skinned areas (nose, socks).
• Treatment: Keep shaded, apply zinc oxide or sunscreen, remove offending feed.

🩺 When to Call the Vet

• Unusual growths, fast-spreading infections, unresponsive sores
• Persistent itching, open wounds, or crusting that worsens despite cleaning
• Skin disease with fever, limb swelling, or weight loss

🧽 General Skin Care Tips

• Groom daily—early detection is key
• Disinfect brushes and pads between horses
• Rotate paddock areas to prevent mud and fly buildup
• Use waterproof rugs in wet seasons—remove daily to check skin
• Apply fly spray routinely and avoid over-bathing (strips natural oils)

📋 2025 Quick Skin Conditions Chart

📲 AskAVet.com Integration

With AskAVet.com you can:

• 📷 Share skin photos for veterinary review
• 🧴 Log and track topical treatments
• 🚨 Set alerts for rechecks or vaccine-related skin reactions

🌟 Final Thoughts from Your 2025 Vet

Skin issues may be cosmetic—or clues to deeper problems. Quick action, good hygiene, and smart prevention ensure faster recovery and long-term comfort. Whether it’s crusts, lumps, or itch—stay ahead with daily checks and AskAVet.com support. 🐎✨