Author: Kaela Schraer, DVM

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Atopic/Allergic Horses can be born with a specific allergy or develop allergies as the seasons change. Skin problems as a result of allergies may include: Hives: Just like people, horses can have allergic reactions to things in the environment including pollens, detergents/chemicals on riding equipment, or even components of their own sweat. Hives are raised swellings or bumps on the skin that can be itchy. Sweet itch/insect hypersensitivity: These conditions are exaggerated reactions to insect bites that can result in welts, hair loss, itchiness, and other symptoms. Granulomas: These are small nodules that typically form along the horse’s back and are made up of collections of allergy-driven immune cells. They are often seen as a response to a sensitivity to detergents or chemicals in saddle pads or other riding gear.,Tumors Tumors may appear in horses as cancer or as benign growths as a horse gets older. Some common skin tumors in horses include: Sarcoids: These tumors can vary greatly in appearance. Although they are not malignant tumors that will invade other organ systems, they can become very large and locally invasive, especially when aggravated by attempted surgical removal. Melanoma: These cancerous tumors are most often found in gray horses. Gray horses are predisposed to melanoma development but the underlying cause of the tumor growth is still unknown at this time. They can form anywhere on the horse but are commonly seen around the rectum and tail head. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This cancer is most often found in and around the horse’s eyes and on the penis. It can become malignant if not addressed at an early stage. Certain breeds such as Haflingers and Belgians are predisposed to SCC.,Are you noticing bumps on your horse’s skin? There are many different problems that can affect the skin of a horse. These issues can range from very simple allergies or dermatitises to parasites or tumors such as sarcoids and melanomas. When dealing with horse skin conditions, it is important to understand the root cause of the issue to treat it effectively.

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References Maddux, Melissa. UTCVM LARGE ANIMAL CLINICAL SCIENCES. Equine Carrot Stretches. Featured Image: iStock.com/golero,References Close,What is Carrot Stretching in Horses? Horses are incredible athletes and just like humans, they perform much better when they are properly warmed up before exercising. Carrot stretching can be a great part of a horse’s warmup and cooldown routines. Carrot stretches are a form of dynamic stretching using a carrot or other high value treat to encourage a horse to move its neck through various positions. It helps to increase flexibility and mobility through the spine as well as increase core strength and improve overall balance. Not only can it help horses who are actively competing, but carrot stretching can also benefit older horses who have developed arthritis by helping them maintain a strong core and increase mobility in sore or tight joints. It can also benefit horses after an injury, since the rest/recovery process can lead to a lot of stiffness through lack of movement.

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Horses are incredible athletes. Just like human athletes, they can get strains, sprains, and sore muscles. Poultices are a very common part of a horse owner’s bag of tricks to help with these mild exercise-related injuries. The legs and hooves are the most common places to use poultices on horses. What Is a Poultice? Poultices are thick, spreadable substances that are applied to the body and then covered with a bandage to keep them in place. The main purpose of a poultice is to act as a drawing agent. It can help to draw out heat, inflammation, and swelling, which are the three main consequences of exercise. By relieving these symptoms, poultices can help to start the healing process and prevent further injury. Clay-based products and Epsom salt-based products are very common for poulticing the lower part of the limb. They help make the leg cool and tight after workouts and decrease the chances of sore muscles and swelling. Other additives such as witch hazel, arnica, and comfrey are commonly found in homemade and commercial poultices. Hoof poultices often contain Epsom salts, ichthammol, or a mixture of sugar and betadine (sugardine). These poultices are typically used when a hoof abscess or bruise is suspected. They help to draw out bruising and infection.

How Do You Get Rid of Chestnuts and Ergots on a Horse? You never want to completely get rid of a horse’s chestnut or ergot. They are a normal part of a horse’s body, and it can be very painful to remove them at the skin level. Some chestnuts or ergots will not shed their outer layer properly and can become very large. Improperly shed chestnuts/ergots can cause skin problems due to an increased risk of them catching on things and being torn off. In these cases, a hoof knife or rasp can be used to trim down the excess tissue. Ask your veterinarian or farrier for assistance if you are uncomfortable deciding how far back to trim them. Featured Image: iStock.com/Azaliya,References Lusi, Carla M., Helen M.S. Davies. The Connectivity and Histological Structure of the Equine Ergot—a Preliminary Study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, vol. 51, pp. 79–85. 2017.,What Are Chestnuts on Horses? Ever wonder what the hard callouses on the inside of your horse’s legs are for? Chestnuts on horses can be found on the inside of forelimbs above the knee, as well as below the hocks of hind legs. A horse’s chestnuts are much like human fingerprints in that each one is unique. Chestnuts also grow over time similar to human fingernails. As horses evolved, they traded the stability of having multiple toes for a single very long toe that gives them the ability to reach much higher speeds. During the evolution process, the other toes (like those found in dogs and people) shrank down and in many cases disappeared. The chestnut, a calloused area on the inside of the horse’s forelimb, is leftover evidence of this process. The chestnuts are made of keratinized skin that slowly grows and sheds over time. Horse chestnuts are also known as “night eyes.” It was once believed that chestnuts helped a horse see in the dark. Most breeds of horse have chestnuts on all four limbs, but some horses are missing chestnuts on their back legs, such as the Icelandic horse. Horse chestnuts are also known as “night eyes.” It was once believed that chestnuts helped a horse see in the dark.