Horse Acne

Horse Acne or equine pimples are one of the major areas of concern for most horse owners. Though the small multi-toed creature has evolved into a large single-toed animal today; problems regarding horse diseases too have increased along with it.

This disease is sometimes confused with ringworm. Small, round, inflamed areas appear on the horse’s coat usually in the girth and saddle area. This condition can be treated with tincture of iodine. It is highly contagious, which necessitates the isolation of the horse and disinfestation of all the tack, kit, and equipment that has come into contact with him. Soiled bedding should be burned and not put on the muck heap.

Earlier, skin diseases in horses were not discovered in detail. That’s why it took a considerable amount of time for veterinary science to analyze the various types of skin infections in horses. Similarly, the remedial measures too faced slow but steady progress where horse acne received the status of a curable disease.

Definition

Acne is a skin infection or a disease wherein we see pimples on the body parts like the face, chest, and back in human beings while in horses it affects the girth and saddle area of the animal. Although acne is a common skin disease, it is assumed to be a contagious disease. Bad acne leads to very bad scars and its treatment is equally expensive. The major fact is that there are specific reasons that cause it, be it in humans or animals like horses. Early detection of acne can save the further spread of the skin disease.

Causes of Acne in Horses

The causes of equine pimples or horse acne are mysterious. Reasons for this skin infection are pores blocked with oil, inflammation of skin layers, irritation, hormonal fluctuation, unhygienic living, dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulation in skin pores.

Health conditions

Whether it is a creature like a horse or in the case of human beings, the symptoms are visible. In, horse acne the skin looks itchy and pimples-like formation on the infected parts. Changes in the sebaceous gland secretions appear prominently as scars. Any kind of physical contact with the affected body part can be painful leading to scratching and irritation. In addition, the spread of infection in diverse ways results in various forms of acne that act differently. Thus it requires an altogether different treatment as per the severity of the disease. For this, careful observation and treatments can be applied to minimize the spread of the skin infection.

Treatment and Remedy

There is no proven technique or fool-proof remedy that can completely cure horse acne. However, combinations of various antibiotics, as well as homeopathic medications, are practiced in general as per the responsiveness of the affected body part towards it. E.g. killing the bacteria using oxides or pills to prevent the further spread of the skin infection. At the same time, care has to be taken so that the infected part should not develop resistance to the medication.

Various skin treatment kits are also available that can be applied to horse acne to get rid of pimples and itchy skin. Some of the popularly applied medications are as under:

• Applying various forms of oxides
• Killing the bacteria
• Removal of dead skin cells
• Avoiding pimple popping
• Applying warm water
• Usage of horse pimples kit
• Detoxifiers
• Sprays
• Herbal treatments
• Tetracycline acne medication
• Holistic and natural equine products

To date, various case studies have revealed that even if acne can’t be cured completely, the damage caused by it to the skin can be effectively reduced to a great extent. Horse acne too can be controlled, provided it is treated using proper medicines and effective prescriptions through certified veterinary professionals or registered animal health care centers.

See more: Healthy Horse