Common Skin Conditions in Horses: Causes, Care & Prevention

When caring for your horse or pony, their skin is more than just a protective layer — it’s vital to their overall health and wellbeing. As the largest organ visible to the owner, the skin can reveal underlying issues and reflects the general condition of your equine friend. Healthy skin prevents dehydration, helps regulate body temperature, facilitates sensation, and even plays a role in social interactions among horses. This comprehensive guide highlights the most common skin conditions in horses, updated for 2025 with current UK veterinary advice, helping you identify symptoms early and promote responsible care for your equine companion.

When looking for horses for sale or new additions to your stable, consider that good skin health and appearance can be a sign of an animal that has been properly cared for.

1. Ringworm: Understanding and Managing Fungal Infection

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by fungi that can survive in damp, shaded environments such as stables or grooming equipment for many years. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected horses, shared tack, grooming tools, clothing, or even insects. It also poses a zoonotic risk, meaning it can infect humans and other animals.

Initially, ringworm appears as raised, itchy papules followed by hair loss revealing scaly grey or crusting patches. These lesions commonly spread rapidly if untreated and symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear.

If you suspect ringworm, isolate the horse immediately, notify your vet, and assign dedicated equipment and stable space to avoid further spread. Treatment typically involves removal of scabs and applying topical antifungal medications. Preventative care includes quarantining new arrivals for at least 21 days and strict hygiene practices such as regular disinfecting of the stable, tack, rugs, and grooming kits.

2. Warts (Viral Papillomata): Viral Outgrowths in Young Horses

Warts are caused by a papillomavirus infection, mainly affecting horses under 18 months old. They appear as small, grey, cauliflower-like growths commonly located around the eyes, muzzle, and nose. The virus is generally passed from mare to foal but can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or grazing areas.

Though contagious among young horses, these warts typically resolve on their own within four months. Isolating affected foals helps prevent spread to other youngsters.

3. Sarcoids: Non-contagious Equine Skin Tumours

Sarcoids are skin tumours thought to be viral in origin and mostly found in adult horses. They do not spontaneously regress and are not considered contagious. Sarcoids have six different forms including occult, verrucose, nodular, fibroblastic, mixed, and malevolent types. These may appear on the head, limbs, neck, sheath, groin, or other body areas.

Due to their varied appearance, it is essential to consult a vet for diagnosis and management options. Treatments such as radiation therapy or surgical removal may be discussed, though regrowth is possible. In many cases, if sarcoids do not affect tack-bearing areas or cause discomfort, a watchful waiting approach may be appropriate.

4. Rain Scald (Dermatophilosis): Bacterial Infection from Moisture

Rain scald is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis that invades the skin of horses exposed to prolonged wet conditions. It usually affects the back, quarters, and dorsal neck and is evident by clumps of matted hair and crusty lesions that can be pulled off to reveal pus-covered hair shafts.

Horses turned out on wet pasture or those wearing leaking rugs that trap moisture are most vulnerable. Grooming or riding horses while damp can also predispose them to this infection. Rain scald indicates poor skin care and management, so good drying and shelter are preventive measures.

Your vet may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is severe. Meanwhile, affected horses should be stabled, carefully dried—using a heat lamp or low-heat hair dryer—and kept clean to encourage healing.

5. Mud Fever (Greasy Heel): Lower Limb Skin Infection

Mud fever is a form of rain scald affecting the lower limbs, where the skin is more prone to cuts and chapping. The bacterial infection leads to crusting, swelling, pain, and sometimes lameness due to inflammation.

Daily inspection, careful washing with antiseptic shampoo to remove crusts, and thorough drying are crucial in treatment. Clipping hair away exposes affected skin to medication, usually antibiotic ointments. Severe infections require veterinary intervention and often a course of systemic antibiotics. Preventing prolonged wetness with barrier creams and dry stable conditions is key to avoiding recurrence.

6. Allergic Skin Conditions and Other Common Issues

Many horses suffer from allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis or insect hypersensitivity (sweet itch), leading to intense itching, hives, and hair loss. Environmental allergens like dust, pollen, and poor-quality hay exacerbate these reactions.

In addition to allergies, mechanical causes such as saddle sores from ill-fitting tack can injure the skin, presenting as sores, blisters, or scarring.

Regular grooming, appropriate fly protection, correct tack fitting, and maintaining clean, dry environments form the foundation of prevention and management for allergic and mechanical skin problems.

Summary and Responsible Care

Early detection and prompt veterinary consultation are vital if skin abnormalities appear. Maintaining high standards of hygiene, isolating new arrivals, and regular health checks help prevent many infections. Responsible ownership includes providing suitable environment, nutrition, and protection against parasites and allergens. By understanding common skin conditions in horses and their management, owners can support lasting equine health and comfort.