Companion Animals

Rain Scald in Horses: Welfare and Prevention

Rain scald (dermatophilosis) is a bacterial skin disease affecting horses kept in wet conditions, causing pain and requiring proactive management.

Key Facts

Caused by Dermatophilus congolensis — the same organism causing mud fever in lower limbs
Affects the back, rump and neck — areas where rain runs off the coat
Crusting lesions lift off with tufts of hair, leaving raw, painful skin
Most prevalent in autumn and winter in wet climates
Horses without adequate shelter are most at risk

Welfare Considerations

Rain scald causes local pain and general discomfort — horses with extensive lesions may be reluctant to be groomed or rugged, and lesions can become secondarily infected. The condition is largely preventable with adequate shelter, appropriate rugging in wet weather, and prompt treatment of early lesions. It represents a welfare failure when horses kept on unmanaged wet pasture without shelter develop extensive disease repeatedly each winter.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have access to adequate shelter from rain during wet weather
Dry horses thoroughly after wet weather and before rugging
Check horses' backs and rumps regularly during autumn and winter for early lesions
Treat confirmed rain scald with appropriate topical antiseptic and environmental management
Provide supplementary shelter for horses on exposed grazing if natural shelter is insufficient