Ugh. Overly sensitive skin and "spur" marks- Update

[yellowbritches]

So, my darling horse, Vernon, really does like to keep me on my toes when it comes to his skin. He had a pretty good case of food related skin allergies (which we have under control, for the most part), and, for the most part, his sensitive skin is protected as best as I can with various saddle pads, girths, etc, etc, etc.

I have had some issues with my spurs and him getting rubbed, but the worst has usually been when his skin has been at its worst and/or we've had a major come to Jesus. I have used those plastic roller spurs a great deal, and after the last big incident with rubs, I bought a new pair of small, very round metal ones (which did ok the couple of times I got to use them before all the snow).

His skin does funny things, though, after a large percentage of my rides. There is often a small welt where my spur is, and/or the spot is sweaty (even if he's not sweaty at all). Now, I hardly wail on him with my spurs, but they are used to some degree in every ride.

Anyway, to make this even more obnoxious, after not riding for 4 weeks because of snow, I have finally been able to at least get him out doing road work on our long drive. This is only walking, and, since he hasn't been ridden in awhile, I left the spurs in the tack room. Well, after the first ride (20-30 minutes of walking work), I got off to find a nice sweaty welt right where my spur would have been. :confused: The next day, as I was riding, my boss looked and deduced that possibly the edge of my chaps where rubbing him...but, seriously. Is he THAT sensitive that the bottom seam of my chaps leaves a welt?!?!

I don't know if I'm looking for commiseration or advice. I'm thinking I'm going to have to break out some beach towels JUST to HACK my silly horse. Anyone have any experience with a horse THIS sensitive??

[FineAlready]

My horse gets rubs from my half chaps too. Don't know what to tell you, but it is frustrating. I put aloe cream on the rubs, but I don't know if that helps or not. Let me guess, your horse is chestnut, right?

[yellowbritches]

No! Actually, he's a BAY! His vet says Vernon thinks he's a chestnut, though! :lol:

[FineAlready]

That's funny! He does sound like he thinks he is chestnut! Sorry I'm not really any help on this...but I definitely understand how annoying it is!

[SGray]

past horse came to me abused (waaay underweight, spur sores, etc)

for a while I had to ride without any -- as his skin improved I moved to the kind with a ball-tip and those did not irritate

eventually his skin got back to normal

[Highflyer]

I wonder if you could just put show sheen right there in that one spot? Or vaseline, but that might be gross. I feel your pain, though. My old mare was the same way, with the added bonus that the hair came back white, no matter how minor the rub!

[yellowbritches]

Highflyer, I've done the vaseline a few times if he's had a bad time with rubs (when his skin was really bad this summer, he lost all his hair under my legs and had some really scaly nastiness in spots). It IS gross, and I don't recall it helping too much. The wierdest thing is the sweaty spots he gets where my spur or heel or whatever rubs him.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Do you have him on any supplements for his skin??

I have several sensitive skin guys. One chestnut...four white sock...what fun:eek: Other dark brown.

I find keeping them on MSM seems to help. I also have them on Ultimate Finish (40) by Buckeye....but both are hard keepers so I use that to help keep weight on them.

I also find that their skin gets worse when they are ulcery. Gotta love the sensitive ones.....

[mkevent]

Bornfree you beat me to it!!

I had a horse boarded here that would rub out the top of his tail. Owner wanted to get him off steroids. I did a search on here and it seems that MSM and flax are highly recommended for sensitive/allergic/funky skin. Put that horse and my two on MSM and flax (I use Bioflax 20).

The boarder's horse did as well on the MSM/flax as he did on steriods, *maybe* even a little better.

My two are definitely better on the combo. Interestingly enough, my gelding (4 socks) has not had an incidence with scratches since I've put him on MSM/flax. Before that, I was constantly battling scratches on his legs.

Might be worth a try. MSM is inexpensive-maybe $5.00/month and Bioflax runs me about $20/month/horse.

[yellowbritches]

He is on SmartShine Ultra (he's actually the "cover boy" for that product in the newest Smartpak catalog! :lol:) and it has helped the allergy side of things and some of the inflammation. I did have him on MSM for quite awhile as a 4 year old, but it did next to nothing for him. Now that we have the allergies under control, I could give it another try, though I HATE loading him up on sups he gets his fair share as it is, between his skin and his feet).

BFNE, interesting about the ulcers. He's actually getting scoped in the near future (I have a great vet and I'm scoring big time on THAT one!). He is currently on Tractguard and has been almost as long as I've had him, but I am switching him to the SmartDigest Ultra after seeing the benefits of Succeed on another horse and hearing the SmartDigest is comparable.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

BFNE, interesting about the ulcers. He's actually getting scoped in the near future (I have a great vet and I'm scoring big time on THAT one!). He is currently on Tractguard and has been almost as long as I've had him, but I am switching him to the SmartDigest Ultra after seeing the benefits of Succeed on another horse and hearing the SmartDigest is comparable.


Good luck. I've just put my guys on SmartDigest Ultra as well....they are currently on Gastroguard...hoping I can back off of that soon:eek: But think I'm sunk until we have grass again!

[Woodsperson]

Do your boots have spur rests. One of mine would get rubs from my spur rests even if I left off my spurs.

As for spurs the only ones that never rubbed him were the big pessoa smooth rowels. Go figure.

[mojo7777]

The edge of my half chaps does the same thing. I couldn't figure out for the longest time what was causing those rubs! I have some cheapie field boots ordered and am hoping they'll be just as comfy.

[lintesia]

Same problem here. I have a dark bay (who's also super sensitive!) and he would get rubs from my half-chaps. I switched to tall boots exclusively and the rub marks went away. I can periodically ride with spurs and have no rub issues. If I have to wear spurs on a daily basis and I start to notice rubs, I use vaseline and I've found that it helps. It's messy though!

[JSwan]

. Anyone have any experience with a horse THIS sensitive??

Not a horse, but hound hunters (back in the day) used to use wet tea bags on their dogs pads - the tannins toughened up the skin. They'd used them on a footsore hound, and on hounds that just had to toughen up a bit.

It is harmless (though I suppose the tea might stain a white horse).

And I have absolutely no idea if this would cause a horse to test.

If you do decide to use tea bags - be advised that my grandmother (being very frugal) would holler at my grandfather if he used NEW tea bags. Used ones were fine - but being grandpa he always reached for the new ones.

[lstevenson]

Yep. My top horse had the most sensitive skin, and I had this exact problem. He would get rub marks from anything....girth, boots, halter, and even the tiniest spurs. I won't say they helped a lot, but I would put the products "New Skin" or runner's "Bodyglide" on any area that was prone to rub marks.

[goeslikestink]

So, my darling horse, Vernon, really does like to keep me on my toes when it comes to his skin. He had a pretty good case of food related skin allergies (which we have under control, for the most part), and, for the most part, his sensitive skin is protected as best as I can with various saddle pads, girths, etc, etc, etc.

I have had some issues with my spurs and him getting rubbed, but the worst has usually been when his skin has been at its worst and/or we've had a major come to Jesus. I have used those plastic roller spurs a great deal, and after the last big incident with rubs, I bought a new pair of small, very round metal ones (which did ok the couple of times I got to use them before all the snow).

His skin does funny things, though, after a large percentage of my rides. There is often a small welt where my spur is, and/or the spot is sweaty (even if he's not sweaty at all). Now, I hardly wail on him with my spurs, but they are used to some degree in every ride.

Anyway, to make this even more obnoxious, after not riding for 4 weeks because of snow, I have finally been able to at least get him out doing road work on our long drive. This is only walking, and, since he hasn't been ridden in awhile, I left the spurs in the tack room. Well, after the first ride (20-30 minutes of walking work), I got off to find a nice sweaty welt right where my spur would have been. :confused: The next day, as I was riding, my boss looked and deduced that possibly the edge of my chaps where rubbing him...but, seriously. Is he THAT sensitive that the bottom seam of my chaps leaves a welt?!?!

I don't know if I'm looking for commiseration or advice. I'm thinking I'm going to have to break out some beach towels JUST to HACK my silly horse. Anyone have any experience with a horse THIS sensitive??


hes getting spur marks more so as sounds like you have over active legs and what you dont realise is with an active leg its constant banging on the sides of the horse and in the end will be dead to the leg
be better for you and the horse if you rode him without spurs and you leanrt to have a still secure leg rather than an over active leg

so go back to basics and learn how to use your legs properly
do more exercises working with out sitrrups -

[Mach Two]

I feel for you, I have had sensitive ones in the past, but it sounds like your cute guy (love the Smart Pak photo) is ultra sensitive.

I really cinch galled a grey, thin skinned reined cowhorse (a hot bred Arabian mare) one time, 25 years ago, three days before an important championship, and was doing everything I could to relieve the soreness and puffiness...an old timer, and mentor of mine walked into his tack room and came out with a jar of Comfrey gel, which I smeared on liberally for the next 24 hours, every time I could, and the tenderness, rubbed looking spots, and redness went away! It was like night and day. In my horse's case, it was hot weather combined with sandy arena, and schooling too much in anticipation of a big show...your case is definately not the work or riding related, sounds like. But if you can find some comfrey gel, it is mild and cooling for the time being.

Frustrating when you are doing everything right, though, and have this kind of thing...hope something works soon!

[Thomas_1]

If your horse is being marked by your spurs or by chaps then it's a simple fact that you're riding with incorrect leg position.

You're obviously riding with your heels on him all the time from what you say and I'm thinking you're probably moving him with your heels. Personally speaking, if you were a pupil of mine, I wouldn't allow you to wear spurs until you'd got that matter addressed.

It's good lessons you need to tackle root cause, not skin supplements and things to treat symptoms.

[yellowbritches]

Thanks to those who haven't turned this into a riding lesson and have offered at the very least sympathy and some things to try. I know what I'm doing AND I'm "supervised" so I am 99.9999% sure my riding is NOT the issue. This horse IS that sensitive.

lstevenson, I actually have a ton of Chammois Butter (for cycling), so I may give that a go. Better than vaseline, too, since it isn't sticky-gooby.

I hacked him yesterday in my squishy soft Dubarry boots (I was in a rush). Won't do THAT again. :no:

I was wondering out loud last night if clipping him will help or make it worse. He was clipped in October, but with all our cold, nasty, unrideable weather, I have yet to clip him again. Part of me is wondering if he's more sensitive than usual with shedding and his shaggy coat. :confused:

[Sabovee]

I have a solution!

Get some personal lubricant (I buy the no name stuff from walmart) and smear a glob over the offending part.

All my horses get their sides and corners of mouths lubed prior to being ridden. Helps guard against rubs. :)

To all the riding lesson people - I've seen Amanda ride, she is a very talented sensitive rider and I can assure you, this has to do with the horses skin being sensitive and NOT her riding ability.

[yellowbritches]

I have a solution!

Get some personal lubricant (I buy the no name stuff from walmart) and smear a glob over the offending part.

All my horses get their sides and corners of mouths lubed prior to being ridden. Helps guard against rubs. :)

To all the riding lesson people - I've seen Amanda ride, she is a very talented sensitive rider and I can assure you, this has to do with the horses skin being sensitive and NOT her riding ability.
Your solution made me snort! :lol: It is actually a brilliant one, but knowing the crowd in THIS barn, that would totally get a laugh!!! :lol:

And thanks for the compliment! :yes:

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I found that clipping them didn't hurt.

I use the pink coat moisturize daily (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-2225&ids=312397217) I think it helps. I rub with a rub rag...that really helps. And I've used this product on their rubs and it seems to help...smells like coconut oil! http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-22481&ids=312396653


But I noticed that if they are a bit sick or have ulcers....I think they are significantly worse. While I do external things to help their skin...it really does seem to be an internal thing. One of my sensitive guys (chestnut) got really bad rubs from everything (halter, blanket, saddle pads, fleece girths, reins..basically if something touched hin he lost his hair)...once we started treating him for ulcers....he went back to a horse with normal skin.

Good luck...hopefully you will find the solutions. I would clip him....just because it is easier to keep them really clean and that seems to help prevent some of the rubs too.

[Mach Two]

I ran this question by my well educated, horse specialist for a major feed company husband, and he said "I'd look at ulcers or an auto-immune or systemic imbalance"
His question was "Is it a QH? there is one line that gets an auto immune thing, and skin puffs up and sloughs off where it has contact with ANYTHING" I told him, "No, " he said, "Then might look for ulcers"

And honestly, you people who sat there in front of your computers and criticized YB's riding ? This is not a beginner rider...rather, an experienced, educated event rider.

As an after thought, I took in a young steeple chaser that had been treated for EPM (the former owner chose not to do the whole litany of tests, since the symptoms indicated EPM, and the vet offered meds, rather than pay for tests that would likely be positive...I was not involved in this part) But this horse broke out in hive-like reactions to wearing a turnout rug...smooth lining, clean, washed in the same non-allergenic soap I used for my other TBs...Later, the worst case of rain rot showed up...and I had a hard time getting ahead of it. The co-owner's vet treated him with a systemic for the fungus, and it cleared up, as did the hypersensitivity. I really felt that his immune system had been somehow compromised at some point.
Just a similarity...good luck.

Please keep us posted YB!

[yellowbritches]

OK. Well, he has a date with the scope in a few weeks and in the meantime is starting SmartDigest. I would say "he doesn't seem like an ulcery horse" but I nearly lost Neigh from saying that!

He also has a date with me and the clippers, probably Tuesday. Tomorrow will be "warm", so bath torture so I know he's really, really clean pre-clipping.

Beach towels today, which prevented the rubs from getting worse. Although, if there is any doubt I'm causing this, he had mild rubs from either the edge of the towels or the edge of his saddle pads. :lol:

I'll try various things to a few things to either lube his sides up and/or help heal the skin and then hopefully prevent more issues. I'd like not to go into the season with marks on his sides!

Mach Two, I'll keep the auto immune issue in mind. He's such a vital, vibrant horse, it just seems so unlikely...but I have mistaken before!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Of my horses that have ulcers...neither of them seem the ulcery type. They have never gone off their food and are not nervous types at all. They are on lots of turn out and lots of hay. As I've gotten to know both horses well...they both show the signs in very different subtle ways.

Hopefully that is all it is....since of all things....it is fairly straight forward to treat!

Good luck!

[JRG]

I would try changing sprus and if that didn't work, I would take away the offending article so it would no longer be an issue.

I would take off the spurs and carry a whip instead.

[Thomas_1]

I ran this question by my well educated, horse specialist for a major feed company husband, and he said "I'd look at ulcers or an auto-immune or systemic imbalance" His question was "Is it a QH? there is one line that gets an auto immune thing, and skin puffs up and sloughs off where it has contact with ANYTHING" I told him, "No, " he said, "Then might look for ulcers" Are you being serious??? Nah.... surely.... you're having a laugh! :lol:

You honestly think that horses get marks on the outside of their skin and rubbed off hair on the outside because of ulcers on the inside!?!

Well that definitely takes the biscuit for so far this year!

Still it's probably much less inconvenient than having to reflect on what the rider is doing. MUCH easier to just find an excuse and blame the horse!

And honestly, you people who sat there in front of your computers and criticized YB's riding ? This is not a beginner rider...rather, an experienced, educated event rider. I'm sorry to disillusion you with a truth, but there's a heck of a lot of "experienced" riders who have a poor leg position or who ride constantly niggling with their lower legs or with heels on and so much so that they're rubbing and marking their horse with their spurs.

Clues:
I have had some issues with my spurs and him getting rubbed, They don't get magically rubbed with spurs. If you've a good leg position then you really shouldn't have your spurs anywhere near to rub.

I have used those plastic roller spurs a great deal, and after the last big incident with rubs, I bought a new pair of small, very round metal ones (which did ok the couple of times I got to use them before all the snow).

His skin does funny things, though, after a large percentage of my rides. There is often a small welt where my spur is, and/or the spot is sweaty (even if he's not sweaty at all). Now, I hardly wail on him with my spurs, but they are used to some degree in every ride. Now personally speaking I'm wondering if the horse is so darned sensitive why spurs are even required and I'm darned if I can think why on earth anyone would want to use spurs EVERY ride but no doubt there's some sort of strange logic that I don't want to know.

Well, after the first ride (20-30 minutes of walking work), I got off to find a nice sweaty welt right where my spur would have been. That will be where the heel is!

The next day, as I was riding, my boss looked and deduced that possibly the edge of my chaps where rubbing him...but, seriously. Is he THAT sensitive that the bottom seam of my chaps leaves a welt?!?! Not the horse that's sensitive. Rather if you've got rough stitching on your seams and your leg is doing such as constantly moving and rubbing then you'll not be the first to have a horse experience that.

[lstevenson]

Now personally speaking I'm wondering if the horse is so darned sensitive why spurs are even required and I'm darned if I can think why on earth anyone would want to use spurs EVERY ride but no doubt there's some sort of strange logic that I don't want to know.


Now Thomas, if you really knew all that you think you know, you would know that spurs are required in dressage for upper level eventers. And for those with super sensitive horses, that means riding with them on a regular basis so that there are no suprises on competition day.

[Thomas_1]

Don't be a prat! We're talking about a young novice horse according to the owner's account.

I'm very well aware that they're required for dressage and eventing at certain levels but that's not the case here. It also in any case doesn't mean you wear them every single time you ride out. For sure there's no rule that says you need to use them... ever! But carry on!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[quote=Thomas_1;4716322]Are you being serious??? Nah.... surely.... you're having a laugh! :lol:

You honestly think that horses get marks on the outside of their skin and rubbed off hair on the outside because of ulcers on the inside!?!

Well that definitely takes the biscuit for so far this year!


[quote]

Well my vet agreed with me. My guys were NOT just getting spur rubs. They were losing their hair everywhere. Behind their ears where the briddle or halter touched them, under the saddle, on their necks, shoulders. They also just didn't have the
bloom that they normally did.

As soon as we started to treat them for ulcers.....the hair loss stopped and their coats improved. No way my riding changed enough in that short time frame to make a difference....

[Mach Two]

thanks for that great post, BornFree...you took a deep breath and replied much better than I would have.
YB, I hope a simple solution comes up.

[yellowbritches]

JRG, read for content. I haven't BEEN wearing spurs!

Thomas, honestly, I am the first to take the blame on things. I have issues, but my legs are not one of them. I ride daily with a very good coach (I work for him and he sees me on all the horses I ride) and of all the things he harps on me about, where my leg is and how I use it is NOT one of them. I have also been very privledged to ride with some of our best riders, and, while they might pick up certain things, they never fuss about my legs.

As for why I wear my spurs (which I'm NOT currently doing), my horse's SKIN is sensitive. He has been a mess with various skin issues- mostly allergies- since I've had him. HE himself is not a sensitive horse, as in hot of my legs. He IS a young horse, but I rather him be comfortable with me wearing and using spurs NOW rather than introduce him before, say, our first FEI competition. And, on top of all that, while some don't agree with this school of thought, I have been taught that you wear spurs and carry a whip every ride. That way, if you don't need them, you don't use them. If you need them, they're there.

You can think what you want. I'm comfortable with the idea that this, for once, is NOT my fault but just one of the many things I have to keep in mind as I continue on with this horse. Just like I have to be sure he gets no beet pulp, he gets sheepskin only for pads, his rugs are washed in something gentle, etc, etc, etc. I usually have a lot of respect for what you say, but with this I think you're way off...especially since you don't seem to understand quite how much ulcers can affect a horse.

bfne, next time I see Vernon's vet, I'll talk to her about the whole ulcer and skin thing. She's been helping me deal with this mess for well over a year now, so I'm sure she'll be interested to see what his belly looks like in a few weeks and see if there's a problem, if his skin will calm down once the belly is better.

[JRG]

"JRG, read for content. I haven't BEEN wearing spurs!"

No need to get testy, I gave you my opinion as if it were me....but if you are not wearing spurs you shouldn't have "spur marks" as originally stated.

"I have had some issues with my spurs and him getting rubbed, but the worst has usually been when his skin has been at its worst and/or we've had a major come to Jesus."

[Thomas_1]

:winkgrin:"JRG, read for content. I haven't BEEN wearing spurs!"

No need to get testy, I gave you my opinion as if it were me....but if you are not wearing spurs you shouldn't have "spur marks" as originally stated.

"I have had some issues with my spurs and him getting rubbed, but the worst has usually been when his skin has been at its worst and/or we've had a major come to Jesus."

Now now don't get all pedantic and fiesty! The fact the OP went on about spurs. The title of the post. You should have read for content..... and ignored those bits of the content! :winkgrin: Now do keep up!

Give her time and she'll figure that her heels and the bottom of her chaps which have now rubbed the horse are spookily close to where those spurs used to be.... not that she was wearing spurs! We'll probably next discover no chaps and no heels!

Duhhhh

[FineAlready]

This kind of problem is not necessarily from a "too active" leg as some have suggested. While it is true that a leg that swings or otherwise has too much movement can cause this sort of sensitivity, that is not the only cause of such skin problems.

I have a very tight, correct, non-swinging leg that does not pop on and off my horse's sides (yes, I do have my riding faults - like all riders, I've got lots of them - but I can honestly say that my lower leg is not one of them). The only other person who rides my horse is my very accomplished, very competent trainer. My horse is currently on a rehab schedule for a suspensory injury. He now does 5 minutes of trotting, but prior to that all he did was walk for 30 minutes under saddle. Guess what? He got rubs on his sides from my and my trainer's half chaps during the month or so of under saddle walking. Yes, WALKING only. I assure you, there was not any kicking, excessive squeezing, etc. during this walking period. Some horses just have very sensitive skin.

I have ridden and owned plenty of other horses consistently in my life and none of them have had this type of skin sensitivity or rubbing. None of them. And one of those horses was ridden in spurs every day of his life.

It is one thing to suggest to the OP that she should consider whether her riding style could possibly be causing the problem, but it is another thing altogether to assume for a fact that that is the case and suggest that she is not a competent enough rider to use spurs. The first is a helpful suggestion; the latter is simply rude and presumptuous.

[yellowbritches]

I have ridden and owned plenty of other horses consistently in my life and none of them have had this type of skin sensitivity or rubbing. None of them. And one of those horses was ridden in spurs every day of his life.

I actually was thinking about this this morning. I ride lots of horses, some almost as much as Vernon, one I ride in roweled spurs very often. As much as I ride these other horses (all with spurs, by the way), you'd think that if my leg was that bad, there would be more evidence on these others, especially the one who often goes in rowels.

JRG, I apologize for my testiness, however, if you read passed the first part of my first post (and then again in subsequent posts) I make it very clear that the current problem is made all the more frustrating because I HAVE NOT been wearing spurs. I do have the occasional issue with spur marks, which I mentioned, and I also mentioned that he typically gets spur marks when his skin has been in its worst shape (like this past August when he probably lost about 25% of his summer coat). Thus, I suggested (rather crankily, I'll admit) you read for content.

[Renn/aissance]

I've been using Aloe Heal on rubs for awhile with pretty good success (sister's sensitive-skinned TB got a rub from his saddle pad. Fine, have nice soft sheepskin instead of cloth, be a princess) but the idea of Bodyglide or personal lubricant is intriguing. I'll have to try that. I would think clipping would make it worse--have always had more trouble with rubs on short hair than long.

If it's off of the edge of your half-chaps, and I can see how that would cause a rub if they're older or textured, I wonder if you could secure a piece of fleece to your chaps? Not a great solution, but may be workable. The buckle on Tip's shoulder guard started rubbing him and once covered in fleece, the problem stopped.

[touchstone-]

Yep. My top horse had the most sensitive skin, and I had this exact problem. He would get rub marks from anything....girth, boots, halter, and even the tiniest spurs.

I have one like this. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't lived it myself, but it's probably not your wobbly leg, just a very sensitive beast. Mine can't countenance boots of any kind, dirty tack, imperfectly-fitting blankets, halters for any length of time, or someone wearing spurs looking at him funny. It's silly how often he gets rubs.

But he's otherwise healthy and happy with a shiny coat, good weight, good feet, etc. He just has sensitive skin.

I ride without spurs and clean my half chaps often with this guy. At big shows, I slip on small spurs just before I walk in the ring, and take them off afterwards.

[CoolMeadows]

Thomas, without having seen the OP ride (although am shocked to hear she's an UL rider, didn't think that was the case at all from what I've heard) I can't say I agree with your insight on this matter (shocking, eh?) but don't waste your time with this one. Trust me.

[JRG]

I had another thought, as I was grooming my "mudball". In addition to all the other suggestions have you noticed if your boots are dirty? You could try to clean the boots and polish them then rub some show sheen on the heal. If your leg is moving you will know it! But if it is nice and still it should glide over the hair with minimal breakage.

Off my testy horse, and Thomas..very witty.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

This was an issue for my TB last winter until I treated the area with MTG and started wearing my tall boots. I think the suede of my half chaps might of chaffed his skin/hair.

[inquisitive]

My bay gelding gets rubs every winter (when he is switching between summer/winter coats or winter/summer). This happens from me riding even without spurs, blanket rubs (and not just in his shoulders), or just him rubbing against the doorway. He is in great health (coat-wise too) and gleams during the spring, summer and fall, but the winter is just awful for him. I think his skin/hair just gets really dry. I've tried both oral (feed) supplements and topical for both dry skin and preventing/healing rubs and nothing works. I just know that he's fine and just loses hair easily during the winter... :sigh:

I try to remind myself that this is faaaaaar down the list of bad things he has happen :lol:

[yellowbritches]

I try to remind myself that this is faaaaaar down the list of bad things he has happen
Oh, I SO totally agree. Give me a horse who's hair falls out on occasion and is allergic to most things he comes across any day over one that is constantly lame for one reason or another or that colics on a regular basis!!!

Today I did a two prong attack of Chamois Butter on his sides and JRG's excellent suggestion of a little Show Sheen on my boots and chaps (legs were good and stable). The marks weren't worse when I got off (and our ring if finally rideable, so he actually did real work today instead of a walk), so I think both things helped a good deal. And I really like the idea of the Chamois Butter because unlike vaseline, it doesn't goop up all over his sides and my boots. It did exactly what it does when I use it and just absorbed into his skin (and probably into my boots and chaps...maybe it'll be good for them!).

Thanks, all, for the help and suggestions. When he gets scoped in a few weeks, I will report back with the findings. :yes:

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I might shy away from Show Sheen. I find that (due to the ingredients perhaps) it dries the hair instead of moisturizing it. That's just my personal opinion, though. However, if it's doing the trick...

[RegentLion]

In one post you wondered if he was more sensitive since he was shedding.

My non-skin-issue gelding got spur rubs ONLY when he was shedding. Some anecdotal evidence to further confused you. ;)

[yellowbritches]

Just thought I'd share how Vernon is doing.

Clipping him made a HUGE difference. Getting rid of that shaggy coat, which I think made him even MORE sensitive than normal between it getting him hot and trapped winter gunk, made an instant improvement. Even once I started seriously riding him and schooling him, he no longer got marks, and I started wearing spurs within a week or two. Several weeks out now, and he looks great and the only tell tale sign of an issue is the original rub grew in BRIGHT red/brown. :lol:

He was scoped this week and while he did not have any active ulcers, he definitely has a sensitive tummy. I don't know if keep it under control with the occasional UlcerGuard treatment will make a difference or not, but it will be interesting to see.

And I still don't pinch with my heels or have loose, swinging legs. ;)