Horse Facts and Fun at Healing Tree

Three Steps to Treating "Sweet Itch"

A common problem experienced in all parts of the country (heck, for all I know, all parts of the world!) is a condition commonly referred to as ‘sweet itch’.  Other names include ‘summer sores’, midline dermatitis, etc.  It’s more than just an allergic reaction with subsequent itching; it involves a number of different aspects, so let’s break it down.

Small gnats of the Culicoides family are attracted to the midline of the horse’s chest and abdomen where the hair is either very thin or non-existent, just down the very middle of that part of the horse’s anatomy.  It’s also the area where sweat may accumulate.  These gnats, or other biting flying insects, bite along that midline, sometimes all the way back to the sheath or udder,  causing a localized allergic reaction.  Now, remember, all mammals have normal surface bacteria, what we call ‘skin flora’, but when the horse rubs his or her belly or chest to try to scratch this very irritated and itchy spot, a bacterial dermatitis can occur since the normal skin flora is now ‘under the skin’ due to the excessive rubbing and scratching.  So, two things are occurring:  the original allergic reaction with a resultant histamine release causing the initial inflammation as well as the secondary bacterial dermatitis.

All three aspects need to be treated to adequately take care of the problem:

1.     Keep the insects from biting in the first place with proper insect control

2.     ‘Kill’ the bacteria, and/or fungus, that is continuing to cause the dermatitis, usually spread over a large area of the chest and belly.

3.     Stop the itch and irritation.

Do we have the solution for you at Healing Tree?  Yessiree!  Tea-Clenz® Antimicrobial Concentrate will stop the bacterial and fungal dermatitis, T-ZoN® Dermal Care Cream with hydrocortisone will stop the itch and inflammation, and “Go’Way! “®All Natural Repellent for Horse & Rider will keep those pesky gnats away from the midline, sheath and udder.

Treating Your Horse's Fungal and Bacterial Skin Conditions

It’s that time of year for many parts of the country where, after a long and cold and wet winter and spring, many horse owners are trying to figure out how best to treat the various fungal and bacterial skin conditions that their horses have.  There are many names for these problems including ‘rainrot’, ‘rainscald’, ringworm, sweet itch, galloping crud (okay, I made that last one up, but you gotta admit, it fits, right?).

The term ‘rainrot’ typically refers to a fungal skin/hair condition that often covers large areas of the horse’s body.  Rainrot can occur anytime of year, but usually varies depending on the geographical location around the US.  It’s exemplified by patchy losses of hair, scaly skin with redness and possibly minor pain and itching associated with it.  ‘Rainscald’ is technically, at least in my book, a severe deep-seated bacterial skin condition caused by the bacterium, Dermatophilus congolenses.  Rainscald usually involves large chunks of hair that can be pulled out leaving a small pus-filled divot, so to speak, in the skin.  Ringworm is a specific fungal skin and hair infection in which the hair shafts are colonized and destroyed by the fungus itself.  As the name implies, the lesions are usually circular in nature and can be small spots or large circles of hair loss, redness and scaling.

Regardless, an aggressive treatment is called for and that’s why I invented Tea-Clenz® Antimicrobial Concentrate.  Believe me, after having lived and practiced veterinary  medicine in the Pacific Northwest for 30 years, I know my funguses!  Shoot, we have rainrot on the cars and trucks up here! :)

Rescued Colt with Rainrot on the Mend

Evan Almighty

One evening in March 2010, Theresa Batchelor, founder and president of Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc (Morriston, Florida) was made aware of a malnourished colt that was advertised on Craigslist for $100.  Theresa responded to the advertisement and was told by the owner that in addition to the baby there was also a mare for sale for $300.  An appointment was made with the owner for Theresa to meet the baby the next day.

The next morning, when Theresa arrived to meet the baby she found him standing in the yard with a glazed look in his eyes while the mare was being ridden.  The baby, who appeared to be 3 to 4 months old, looked very weak and sad.  He was orphaned when only a few weeks old and Theresa knew that it was going to be a long and winding road to recovery for this precious baby.  She also knew if he stayed where he  was, he would likely die.  Theresa went to him and rubbed him - assuring him that he would be okay.  She paid the man $100 and walked the baby, slowly, into the trailer.  Even though he was thin and weak, there was a light in his eyes and where there is light, there is hope.  He was unable to stand steady and he dragged his legs when he walked.  Like the mare that was also for sale, his hip bones protruded considerably, and he had neither fat nor muscle mass.  His shaggy coat was unhealthy and full of rain rot. Theresa’s concern was that the baby would colic due to his frailty and stress; and that his body had been feeding off of itself to the point that his organs may have been in the process of failing.  

Once the baby was loaded Theresa turned her attention to the mare that was being ridden by a man and was wearing a hackamore and tie down. Theresa noticed that the mare, an Arabian, wore a look of anxiety on her face, her eyes emitted discomfort and her breathing was labored.  When Theresa requested that the mare’s saddle be removed in order to better assess her overall condition, it became apparent that the mare was very thin and one could actually place a finger between each of her ribs.  The mare’s low and wide belly gave Theresa indication that she may be pregnant.  She had scars along her spine from old saddle sores – she had likely been a hack line horse and wore ill-fitting tack for long periods of time.  As Theresa ran a finger along her back and neared her rump, the mare hunched up in extreme discomfort.  The mare had scars on her face and around her ankle, a chunk of flesh missing from the side of her mouth and very sharp teeth which created cuts and blisters within her mouth.  Theresa was compelled to take the mare too and offered the owner $200 and the deal was done.  As soon as she loaded the mare into the trailer with the baby she realized that even though the mare wasn’t the mother of the baby, there was a close bond between them.  The mare treated the baby as though he were her own – she hovered over him and seemed very proud and protective.  When Theresa asked the owner where the baby’s mother was she was told that the mother had been very sick and it was implied that she had died when he was only a few weeks old.  The man said he’d bought the mare at an auction a couple of months before.   

After arriving at the rescue, Dr. Ryan Meeks was called to examine both the baby and mare, now lovingly named “Reva”.  As suspected, Reva was indeed pregnant.  When it was time for the baby’s examination, he was well behaved albeit a bit nervous.  He was emaciated and had malabsorbtion syndrome and rain rot.  Blood work revealed that his immune system was extremely compromised due to lack of proper nutrition.  His tummy was greatly distended due to both fluids and parasites.  Dr. Meeks stated that it was truly a miracle that this precious foal was even alive and at that very moment, it was decided that this boy who had such an incredible will to live, should be named, “Evan Almighty”!   In the subsequent weeks, Reva had chiropractic adjustments and dental work performed.  She has gained weight and is an exquisite mare both in appearance and temperament. 

Theresa will be forever grateful to Reva for raising Evan Almighty as her own, for without her, he may not have survived.  She has been a wonderful teacher for Evan and with her help, and a proper rehabilitation program, he has blossomed into a very healthy and happy little horse.  He has grown considerably and now stands strong and tall.  His coat is shiny and healthy – he is simply adored by everyone who meets him.  Evan’s once shaggy and unhealthy coat is now stunning due to his treatment with Healing Tree Products and proper diet.  He loves the extra attention  that he receives when this wonderful product is applied.  At first he was a bit hesitant but then he realized it felt good!   The story of Reva and Evan Almighty is just one of many that comprise the chapters of Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc., where ‘Life Begins Again.’ 

 

 

Evan getting a bath with Healing Tree Tea Clenz for his Rain Rot.

Evan after some groceries and a body clip. His coat is beautiful!

Evan making friends with Jedediah, a three-month-old blind colt.