What is Rain Rot in Horses?
At Purely Equines, September is Rain Rot Awareness Month. What is rain rot? If you’ve ever run your hands over a horse’s coat and felt small bumps, crusty patches of skin, or scabs that seem to take clumps of hair out with them, then you might be dealing with rain rot.
Rain rot, also called rain scald or dermatophilosis, is a common bacterial skin condition in horses and other animals. It is especially likely to be a problem as we head into September with all of the heat and humidity South Carolina is known for. It is especially problematic when a horse’s skin and coat remain damp for extended periods.
While it can appear alarming, the quicker you understand how to spot it, what causes it, and how to address the conditions that allow it to thrive, the better the chances of a quick recovery.
What Causes Rain Rot in Horses?
Rain rot isn’t technically caused by rain, although it is termed so. It is associated with a bacterium called Dermatophilus congolensis, which is an organism that can be present on the surface of the skin without necessarily causing an active problem. The trouble usually starts when there is prolonged moisture that compromises the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Repeated rain, high humidity, and continual sweating under blankets or tack can contribute to its growth. Also, when the coat does not dry thoroughly for extended periods, it can create the perfect conditions for the bacteria to activate. Often, horse owners can associate rain rot with a horse being “dirty,” but a horse can be very well cared for and still develop it.
What Does Rain Rot Look Like?
One of the easiest signs of rain rot is when a horse has an unusual texture to its coat when you run your hands over it. As it progresses, you may notice:
- Small raised bumps beneath the coat
- Crusty or scabby areas
- Tufts of hair attached to scabs
- Areas of hair loss
- Tender or sensitive skin
- Matted patches of hair
- Irritated skin underneath affected areas
Rain rot most commonly develops along areas that are exposed to moisture, which include the horse’s back, topline, rump, neck, and hindquarters.
Why Moisture Matters
The name “rain rot” is somewhat misleading because rain is not the reason why horses develop it. The biggest problem is moisture that remains trapped against the skin. A horse that gets wet and dries thoroughly may never end up developing rain rot.
A horse living in a humid environment, however, that sweats beneath a blanket or repeatedly gets wet without being fully dried may be at greater risk. That is why coat and skin management is so important, especially during the wet seasons.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Rain Rot?
If you notice signs of rain rot, the first priority is to keep the horse clean and the affected skin dry. Grooming equipment, blankets, saddle pads, and other items that come into contact with the affected area need to be cleaned immediately and not used on unaffected areas or other horses.
Avoid aggressively pulling or picking at the horse’s scabs. Since the areas are already inflamed and can be painful, forceful removal will only further irritate the skin. If the condition is widespread, painful, worsening, or not improving with traditional cleaning, it might be time to contact your veterinarian. There are other skin conditions that can resemble rain rot, and if you aren’t seeing results from treatment, it is best to rule out other things.
Supporting Your Horse’s Skin During Recovery
Healthy equine skin has its own protective barrier, which is why skin care shouldn’t simply focus on making your horse look pretty. Overwashing and unnecessarily harsh products can sometimes leave already stressed skin feeling even more irritated.
At Purely Equines, our approach to horse care is centered around gentle, plant-based grooming and supporting the health of the skin and coat without unnecessary harsh ingredients.
During rain rot season, which is quickly approaching, our approach to horse care is centered around gentle, plant-based grooming and supporting the health of the skin and coat without harsh chemicals or toxins.
During rain rot season, it is important to pay close attention to keeping your horse’s coat clean, allowing it to dry thoroughly, and maintaining clean grooming tools.
Prevention Starts With Your Hands
One of the easiest ways to check for rain rot doesn’t require any special equipment. Simply run your hands over your horse’s coat daily. Don’t rely on what you can see.
If you feel along the topline, neck, rump, and other areas that tend to remain damp, you will often find small bumps and changes in coat texture. They can often be felt before they become large enough to be seen.
Finding a potential problem early gives you the opportunity to address moisture, grooming, and skin care before a small irritated area becomes much larger.
September is Rain Rot Awareness Month at Purely Equines
Throughout September, we’re focusing on rain rot education in the Purely Equines Horse Care Hub. We’ll be sharing information about prevention, grooming practices, recognizing the different stages of rain rot, caring for recovering skin, and knowing when a skin problem requires a call to the vet.
Because natural horse care isn’t simply about what you put on your horse—it’s about understanding the horse underneath the coat.
