Is rain rot spread by sharing brushes and balankets?

Question

In all the horse books I've read, it always says rain rot can infect another horse if it shares brushes or blankets with aninfected horse, but my horsey friends say that's not possible since it's caused by rain? Who's right? And how is rain rot actually caused?

Answer 1

First of all, your horsey friends are WRONG about rain rot being caused by rain. IT ISN'T !!! Rain rot, or rain scald as it is called in Europe, is caused by a fungus which lives in the soil. The horses get it by rolling in the soil- and it's possible for a horse to get rain rot WITHOUT ever being exposed to rain and moisture. I should know- I have had to treat and work with horses which were infected with it, even in places where it was very dry, such as in California during the dry season.



As for the other part of your question, yes, it is VERY possible to transmit the fungus from horse to horse by sharing brushes, blankets, saddle pads, and any other personal item you can think of. Rain rot is HIGHLY contagious. We currently have 2 horses on our farm which have this condition, and they both share the same pasture- but not the same brushes or blankets. There is also another horse, in the field next door, who has the condition- and HE doesn't share ANYTHING with the first two- not even a water trough, and yet he also has this problem. From what I just described, it should be rather obvious to you that rain rot is caused by more than rainfall exposure.



You are the one who is right in this argument, and so are the authors of the books you have been reading. Rain rot is treated in a variety of ways, but the best treatment I know of is iodine ( betadine) in baby oil. The oil loosens the scabs, and the iodine will kill the fungus and allow them to heal. This is what we are using with our horses right now, and it works well.



I hope this helps settle the arguement.

Answer 2

Yes it is possible. However it is also probable that all the other horses in your herd have already been exposed to that particular fungus. Therefore transimission is not as likely as some would have you believe.



Rain rot is in fact horse dandruff. Almost all horses have some of the fungus on them. However some strains are more vigorous than others and these strains can spread from horse to horse. However they spread as easily from a horse rolling on the ground and then another rolling in the same spot or two horses brishing up against each other, as from shared brushes. This is especially true for pasture kept horses. Stall kept horses are less likely to spread the fungus in these manners so keeping the brushes seperate may spare them an infection.



BTW rain rot is caused by a fungus but the fungus grows far better in damp conditions than in dry. Therefore horses in wetter areas or horses with denser coats (which hold in moisture better, and breathe less) are more likely to get it than horses with thinner coats or in dryer conditions.

Answer 3

that will spread it



What is rain rot?



Rain rot is one of the most common skin infections seen in horses. It is also referred to as "rain scald" or "streptothricosis". The organism that causes rain rot appears and multiplies in warm, damp conditions where high temperature and high humidity are present. This condition is not life-threatening, so don't worry. However, while the horse has rain rot, any equipment that may rub and irritate the infected skin (such as saddles and leg wraps) should be eliminated.





What causes rain rot?



The organism dermatophilus congolensis causes rain rot. dermatophilus congolensis is not a fungus. It is an actinomycetes, which behaves like both bacteria and fungi. Most people believe that the organism is present in soil, however, this has not been proven. The organism is carried on the horse, who has it in his skin. A horse who has this organism in his skin may or may not be affected.

Answer 4

Rain rot is a fungus and can be spread by using brushes and blankets. Use only your own stuff on your horse. Wash anything used on another horse before you use it on your horse. It is the best way to prevent the spread of Rain Rot and other diseases and funguses. That includes bridles, saddle pads, blankets, polo wraps etc. Rain rot is not cause by rain but does really well in wet and damp situations.

Answer 5

Rain Rot is called that because a wet hair coat can contribute to the infection. It starts as a fungal infection but can quickly develop into a mixed Bacterial/fungal infection. Sharing Brushes and blankets can spread it. Use a dilute bleach solution on the brushes and then let them air dry to kill the fungus/bacteria. This is the reason you shouldn't share brushes and blankets.

Answer 6

Yes, it can be spread by sharing horse products. Always sterilize the brushes if it has been used by a horse with rain rot or any other infections. It's caused by a bacterial infection formed after leaving your horse wet for periods of time.

Answer 7

Yes it can... Rain rot is a fungal infection.

My daughter, the 13 yr old horse expert read about it.

And is correcting my spelling as we speak... er... type

Answer 8

Yes it can spread. It is not caused by rain. Rain just helps it get worse.

Answer 9

im pretty sure it can be spread by sharing infected blankets and brushes and stuff. i wouldnt take chances just to be safe until you find out for sure.

Answer 10

Yes it can! The bacteria on it is what can make it spread.



Check out this link for more. Definanintley worth reading!

http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthRainRot.shtml

Answer 11

it is a fungal infection. yes, any fungal infection can be spread.



http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthRainRot.shtml