What Can You Do For A Horse With Sensitive Skin?

Most sensitive horses have areas of the body that are more reactive than others.

1. Softer brushes and curry combs.
2. Cactus cloth.
3. Grooming gloves or mitts.
4. Rubber and flexible tools (versus metal)
5. Tools that attach directly to a hose.

What can you give a horse for sensitive skin?

Herbs and essential oils have many naturally-occurring properties that make them well-suited for addressing a range of skin conditions in horses.

• Aloe. The use of aloe for skin problems dates back at least to the time of the ancient Egyptians.
• Calendula.
• Chamomile (German)
• Comfrey root.
• Dandelion.
• Echinacea.
• Mullein.
• Plantain.

How do you toughen up a horse’s skin?

To Toughen Horses’ Backs
It works equally well for saddle horses that are used hard. Mix approximately one cup table salt with one gallon water. Apply liberally daily to the under-saddle and girth areas after the horse is unsaddled.

Why is my horse so sensitive to touch?

A variety of conditions cause a horse to be hypersensistive to touch on the back or topline including muscle soreness and strains, various back conditions, pain from poorly fitting tack, tying up, skin conditions, some neurologic diseases, and conditions that cause lameness.

What is good for horse skin?

Adequate protein is particularly important for skin regeneration; your mature horse’s ration should contain 10% to 12% quality protein. The trace minerals zinc and copper are also specifically important for healthy skin.

Can you put coconut oil on horses skin?

Hoof repair and relief
If your horse is suffering from cracked, dry hooves, coconut oil can help. Coconut oil contains vitamins C and E as well as capric acid and lauric acid which can help promote healthy hooves, skin, and hair. Rub coconut oil onto sore or dry spots of the hooves daily.

What can I give my itchy horse?

Treatment: Antihistamines or corticosteroids may help ease the itch and inflammation, providing relief to the itchy horse; antibiotics or antimicrobial shampoos can help prevent secondary infections. Pentoxifylline can be used to decrease skin reactivity, and in some cases allergy serum is worth trying.

How do you treat soft tissue damage in horses?

In this is first phase of treatment we use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), topical steroids, hypothermia (cold hosing, ice water, cold packs, and poultices), supportive wraps and rest. All of these help control the initial inflammatory response.

How do you prevent soft tissue damage in horses?

Avoiding Soft Tissue Injuries in Horses

1. Warm up your horse with slow, easy work before asking for a harder effort.
2. Condition the horse gradually for intense exercise.
3. Keep up a regular schedule of hoof trimming and shoeing.
4. Avoid the “weekend warrior” syndrome.
5. Be aware of footing.

What do you feed a horse with dry skin?

Restore the balance between the essential fatty acids Omega-6 and Omega-3 by adding flax seed or fish oil to the diet, which will improve both the structure and function of skin cells.

Is apple cider vinegar good for horses skin?

Top Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
It causes thiamine to be excreted through the skin, which repels mosquitoes and flies. A spritz of diluted ACV can be applied to fungus, burns, and skin infections. Spray it directly onto hooves with thrush or other fungal problems. Some even soak the hoof or create poultices.

Is vinegar good for horses skin?

Adding some ACV to the rinse water will help remove soap residue and make Saddle Pads more comfortable against your horse’s skin.

What does dermatitis look like in horses?

Dermatitis may have many signs including any combination of itching, scaling, abnormal redness, thickening, and hair loss. The usual progression of a skin disease involves an underlying trigger that causes boils, scabs, scales, or blisters. Abnormal itching, called pruritus, occurs in many skin diseases.

Why is my horse rubbing his fur off?

Generalized itching and scratching may result from many causes. It can result from an allergic reaction to insects such as flies, lice, or mites. It can result from an allergy to new bedding, feed, or topicals (shampoos and grooming products), or a variety of internal disease processes or infections.

What is a natural antihistamine for horses?

Quercetin, a natural antihistamine, belongs to a group of beneficial plant antioxidants known as flavanoids. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster and has been said to be similar to, or more effective than, common NSAIDs in reducing inflammation.

What causes skin irritation in horses?

The most common causes of itching are parasites, infections, and allergies. There are many skin diseases that do not initially cause itching; however, itching may develop because of secondary bacterial or yeast infections. It is possible that by the time itching develops the initial cause is long gone.

What is the fastest way to heal soft tissue?

The mnemonic RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation is key to treating an acute soft tissue injury.
Elevating the injured area is critical even up to first 48 – 72 hours after the injury, as it reduces swelling due to gravity.

1. Step 1: Rest.
2. Step 2: Ice.
3. Step 3: Compression.
4. Step 4: Elevation.

What foods help heal soft tissue damage?

Here are 10 healing foods that can help your body recover.

• Leafy green vegetables.
• Eggs.
• Salmon.
• Berries.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Poultry.
• Organ meats.
• Cruciferous vegetables.

What helps soft tissue damage?

Treatment involves healing the inflamed area with rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Ice may be used in the acute phase of injury. Stretching and strengthening exercises can gradually be added to help avoid further injury.

What is a natural antihistamine for horses?

Quercetin, a natural antihistamine, belongs to a group of beneficial plant antioxidants known as flavanoids. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster and has been said to be similar to, or more effective than, common NSAIDs in reducing inflammation.

Can I give my horse Benadryl for itching?

Over the counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or comparable antihistamines can be used in an emergency for horses with severe hypersensitivity or allergy. Prolonged use is not advised. There is no literature to support the use of diphenhydramine in horses. You are using this product at your own risk.