Protecting Your Horse's Skin During Warm, Humid Weather

Protecting horse's skin.
Protecting horse's skin.

Warm, humid weather during the summer months is prime time for equine skin conditions to occur as a result of fungus and bacteria. As horse owners are faced with these conditions that can spread rapidly in warmer weather, Equine America® offers Fungasol® skin and coat care products as an effective system that will help treat both fungal and bacterial skin conditions.

Protecting horse's skin

Protecting horse's skin

Warm, humid weather is prime time for equine skin conditions to occur as a result of fungus and bacteria unless horse owners take pro-active steps to prevent problems.

Use Fungasol products to help address a variety of skin conditions during the warm season:

  • Rain rot is a fungal condition that typically occurs on the back. Hair takes on a dull appearance, feels waxy to the touch, and breaks off easily in chunks. The dermatophilus congolensis bacteria which causes this condition thrives on and spreads via moisture, making sweaty backs under dirty saddle pads an ideal site for occurrence. 
  • Ringworm is caused by a fungus, rather than a worm. Although its appearance varies, the condition can generally be recognized by raised, round lesions that spread into an area of hair loss, which gradually expands into a larger and larger ring. The condition is extremely itchy as well as contagious to other horses.
  • Pastern Dermatitis, also known as “scratches”, is a condition that occurs on the back of the pasterns, on the heels, and can spread up the leg if left untreated. Scaly, crusty lesions that will sometimes ooze form on the skin and are very painful. Frequent moisture accumulation in and around the pasterns is usually the cause of this condition.
  • Girth itch comes as a result of sweaty tack, typically the girth, suffocating skin and allowing fungus to grow. This leads to bumps, itchiness, and irritation around the tack areas.

These, as well as other varieties of fungal and bacterial conditions affecting the skin, can be managed with the use of Equine America’s line of Fungasol products. Available in a shampoo, spray, and cream, Fungasol is specially formulated with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients. To fully treat skin conditions, a bath with Fungasol shampoo should be followed up with an application of the spray or cream.

Fungasol products are gentle on a horse’s sensitive skin. All three products are mild formulas which include tea tree oil. This not only helps treat fungal and bacterial conditions, but also soothes the skin.

To learn more about Fungasol skin & coat care products, or to find the nearest farm store or tack shop near you.

About W. F. Young Horse-care Products

Ever since Wilbur and Mary Ida Young created the first Absorbine® horse liniment back in 1892, innovation has been at the heart of everything we do. That inventive spirit, as well as an intense focus on meeting the needs of our customers, has allowed W.F. Young, Inc. to grow into a global leader in animal and human health and wellness products.

After 120 years, we’re still a family owned, American company with a passion for providing high-quality over-the-counter medications as well as a full portfolio of horse and pet care products through our Absorbine and Equine American lines.

That passion drives us to develop further advances in the way our products are formulated and delivered—while always maintaining the highest levels of integrity. This is all part of fulfilling our mission of helping improve the lives of people and the animals they love.

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

Author picture

As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

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