Skip to content
Sign Up for Newsletter
Get Unlimited Access
Facebook-f Twitter Pinterest-p Instagram Youtube
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Topics
    Breeding and Reproduction

    Horse breeding from planning through foal care

    Hoof Care

    Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot

    Nutrition

    Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses

    Welfare and Industry

    Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends

    Diseases and Conditions

    Horse-heath-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

    Horse Care

    How to care for the basic health needs of horses

    Sports Medicine

    All aspects of caring for performance horses

    All Topics
    Farm and Barn

    Design and maintain a healthy horse operation

    Lameness

    Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness

    Vet and Professional

    News and issues for equine health professionals

  • Magazine
    The Horse 2025: Older Horse

    Cover Story

    Aging Metabolic Horses--What Do They Need?

    Age can complicate managing already tricky metabolic disorders in horses. 

    Also in this Issue

    • Keeping the School Horse Sound and Healthy
    • Equine Health Emergencies: Plan Ahead for Best Outcomes
    • Equine Metabolic Syndrome Facts
    • Case Study: Keeping the Older Show Horse Competitive
    • Feeding to Avoid or Reduce Inflammation
    • Balancing Work and Rest for Horses’ Long-Term Soundness
    • A Hoof for the Ages
    • Recognizing Vision Problems in Horses
    Digital Edition
    Give a Gift
    Subscribe
    Manage My Subscription
  • News

    Latest News

    Florida Thoroughbred Confirmed Positive for Strangles

    Understanding Essential Nutrients in Horse Diets

    Caring for Young Horse Joints

    AAEP Kester News Hour: Highlights in Equine Genetics and Neck Lesions

    Wisconsin Filly Positive for Strangles

    North Carolina Horse Tests Positive for Strangles

    More News

    Disease Alerts


    EDCC Health Watch

    Event Coverage

    2024 AAEP Convention

    2024 EquiSUMMIT

    2024 Olympics

     

  • Features

    Latest Features

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome

    April 30, 2025

    Managing Your Performance Horse’s Joints

    April 9, 2025

    Additional Features

    Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing Pain in Horses

    How Much Does It Cost to Own a Horse?

    Dealing With Equine Colic: Here are 33 Do’s and Don’ts

    Promoting Longevity in Performance Horses

    Everything You Need to Know About Laminitis in Horses

    All Features
  • Q&As

    Latest Q&A

    Understanding Essential Nutrients in Horse Diets

    May 9, 2025

    Equine Nutrition FAQ Series

    Sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition

    Learn More

    Q&As

    Equine Behavior

    Our animal behavior experts field your questions about why your horse does XYZ.

    Horse Nutrition

    Equine nutritionists respond to queries about forage, grain, supplements, and other related topics.

    Performance Horse Health

    Veterinarians and researchers tackle questions about equine athletes.

  • Visuals

    Featured Media:

    Identifying and Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS); diagnosing insulin dysregulation in horses; EMS Horse; top podcasts of 2018

    Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses—More Than Laminitis

    equine metabolic syndrome

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome Facts

    Quick Links

    Webcasts
    Infographics
    Slideshows
  • Podcasts

    Featured Podcasts

    longeing bay horse

    Caring for Young Horse Joints

    lameness exam

    Equine Innovators: Improving Joint Health in Horses With Orthobiologics

    Podcasts

    Ask 'TheHorse' Live

    The Horse’s experts answer your questions during a monthly live audio event.

    Equine Innovators

    Join us as we interview leading equine researchers from the University of Kentucky.

    All Podcasts
  • Free Reports

    Fact Sheet: Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)

    Fact Sheet: EPM

    Fact Sheet: Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) in Horses

    Free Reports:

    View All Free Reports

    Quick referenced of horse conditions, diseases and health topics

    Forms

    Checklists and identification forms for horse owners

  • Tools
    Equine Vital Signs Interactive

    Normal Horse Vital Signs and Health Indicators

    Mare Gestation Calculator

    Adult Horse Weight Calculator

    Additional Resources

    Event Calendar
    Horse Health Glossary
    Get-A-DVM
    New Products
    Polls
    TheHorse.com en Español
  • StableManagement.com
  • Topics
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Features
  • Commentaries
  • Visuals
  • Podcasts
  • Free Reports
  • Tools
  • Shop
  • StableManagement.com
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine

Common Equine Skin Conditions

  • May 12, 2022
  • Posted by The Horse Staff
Skin conditions in horses are often difficult to diagnose and frustrating to treat, with causes ranging from fungi to allergens to who-knows-what. Check out our pictures of common equine skin conditions—patchy to scabby and everything between.
  • Topics: Horse Care, Media, Other Skin Problems, Skin Problems, Slideshow
Share
Favorite
Please login to bookmark Close

Please login to access.

ADVERTISEMENT

Common Equine Skin Conditions

Equine skin conditions are often difficult to diagnose and frustrating to treat, with causes ranging from fungus to allergens to who-knows-what. Check out our pictures of common equine skin conditions—patchy to scabby and everything between—in this slideshow. (At left: rain rot). | Photo: Paula da Silva/www.arnd.nl

Sarcoids

A sarcoid is a nonmalignant but locally aggressive tumor most often seen on the head, belly, groin, and legs. The most common are verrucous, with a warty look, or fibroblastic, which resembles proud flesh. Bovine papilloma virus (BPV) is probably a causative factor in sarcoids, and a 2010 study of 222 horses at the University Equine Clinic of Bern identified a possible genetic basis for sarcoid development in horses as well. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Scratches

Breaks in the skin lead to bacterial and/or fungal causing scaly patches, hair loss, and inflammation on the legs called scratches (aka grease heel or mud fever). Causes include contact allergies and irritants, infestation with Chorioptes mites (leg mange), and malformations with the lymphatic vessels, etc. Secondary infections are often worsened by exposure to moisture in mud or pastures. Draft breeds and other horses with feathered legs might be most susceptible. | Photo: Pam MacKenzie

Aural Plaques

As the name suggests, aural plaques form inside the horse’s ear. The cause of these crusty, whitish lesions is unknown; however, the spread of a papilloma viral infection by biting insects is suspected. | Photo: The Horse Staff

Rain Rot

Also known as rain scold or dermatophilosis, rain rot is skin disease caused by the opportunistic bacterium Dermatophilus congolesis, which thrives in moist conditions and enters through damaged skin (think bites or chaffing). Rain rot is usually evident over the horse’s neck, back, and croup, but can also spread to the legs. The skin crusts and raised tufts of serum-matted hair, called paintbrush lesions, form. The tufts usually shed, leaving hairless patches. Rain rot is contagious. | Photo: Mathea Kelley

Hives

Hives are round, raised wheals over the body that cause the hair to stand up. They can range from the size of a nickel to several inches in diameter and can cover part or most of the body. A breakout of hives is usually related to air-borne allergens (e.g., tree, bush, weed, or grass pollen; mold; dust; etc.); ingested allergens (e.g., feed ingredients); or vaccination or medication reactions. A breakout usually isn’t painful but might itch. | Photo: Dusty Perin

Warts

Warts are caused by the equine papilloma virus and are often associated with young horses. The lesions usually form on the muzzle and lips and last approximately 60 to 100 days before the horse builds a natural immunity and the warts spontaneously disappear. Warts are contagious and spread via direct contact with horses suffering active breakouts. | Photo: Pam MacKenzie

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a highly contagious fungal infection, not a worm, and is named for the shape of the skin lesions, which take on a ring-like appearance. Each ringworm forms a circle with a raised edge that encircles a hairless and often scabby patch. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Marianne Sloet

Insect Hypersensitivy

Tiny insects, such as mosquitoes, ants, and a variety of flies, can cause big skin problems for your horse. Insect hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction, usually to a biting insect’s saliva, and is one of the most common equine dermatological issues. Bites can result in welts and bumps at the site of penetration, but can also lead to an outbreak of hives (see next slide). | Photo: Paula da Silva/www.arnd.nl

Sweet Itch

Sweet itch, aka Queensland itch or summer eczema, is a reaction to salivary antigens from the bites of Culicoides gnats (also called no-see-’ems). Small, itchy papules form on the skin. The horse’s mane and tail head are especially susceptible, and hair loss is often caused by rubbing the affected sites is common. Scabbing and ulceration can result from this self-mutilation. | Photo: Nancy S. Loving, DVM

Melanoma

Approximately 80% of gray horses will develop melanomas by the time they’re 15 years old. These skin growths are malignant tumors usually located near the anus, vulva, sheath, penis, ears, salivary glands, and underside of the tail. | Photo: The Horse Staff

Share

The Horse Staff

The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care is an equine publication providing the latest news and information on the health, care, welfare, and management of all equids.
MORE ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
PrevPrevious10 Low-Carb Diet Resources on TheHorse.com
Next2022 Dorothy R. Havemeyer EPM Workshop Seeks Abstracts by June 1Next

Related Articles

Understanding Essential Nutrients in Horse Diets

longeing bay horse

Caring for Young Horse Joints

neck pain, neck, cervical spine,

AAEP Kester News Hour: Highlights in Equine Genetics and Neck Lesions

equine anaplasmosis; Does a Canine Lyme Vaccine Elicit a Response in Horses?

Tick-Borne Diseases of Concern in U.S. Horses  

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Learn More

Sponsored Content

Identifying and Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS); diagnosing insulin dysregulation in horses; EMS Horse; top podcasts of 2018
Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses—More Than Laminitis
4CYTE Horse - Epitalis Forte
Ask a Pro: 4CYTE™ for Horses: Why Early Joint Care Matters  
FoalinPasture-iStock
Feeding Programs for Orphan Foals
No posts found

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

What’s the biggest challenge you face when bringing your horse back into work after winter?
107 votes · 107 answers
VOTEView poll results
View All Polls

Readers’ Most Popular

longeing bay horse
Caring for Young Horse Joints
1-WesternHorseinArena--Nichole-Chirico-8D2A7235-(1)
Mares in Heat: What’s Normal, What’s Not?
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Hyperflexion_AdobeStock_286300566
Researchers Review the Effects of Hyperflexion on Horse Welfare
No posts found

Top Categories

  • Breeding and Reproduction
  • Nutrition
  • Horse Care
  • Hoof Care
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Vet and Professional
Partners in Equine Health
AAEVT Logo
World Equine Veterinary Association logo
AAEP logo
BEVA logo
International Association of Professional Farriers logo
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis logo

Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

Follow us

Youtube Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter

Our Sites

  • A Home For Every Horse
  • American Cowboy
  • Barrel Racing Magazine
  • Breakaway Roping Journal
  • Calf Roping
  • EQUUS
  • Haul Safe
  • Hope In The Saddle
  • Horse & Rider
  • Practical Horseman
  • Stable Management
  • Team Roping Journal
  • The Horse
  • US Rider
  • US Roper
  • A Home For Every Horse
  • American Cowboy
  • Barrel Racing Magazine
  • Breakaway Roping Journal
  • Calf Roping
  • EQUUS
  • Haul Safe
  • Hope In The Saddle
  • Horse & Rider
  • Practical Horseman
  • Stable Management
  • Team Roping Journal
  • The Horse
  • US Rider
  • US Roper

Resources

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Freelance Info
  • Help
  • Horse Radio Network
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Freelance Info
  • Help
  • Horse Radio Network

Company

  • Meet the Staff
  • Mission Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Community Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Meet the Staff
  • Mission Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Community Policy
  • Advertise with Us
Your Privacy Choices
Data Subject Access Request
Cookie Consent
Privacy Policy
Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
  • RSS feed
  • Site Map
  • Privacy
  • EquineNetwork.com
  • RSS feed
  • Site Map
  • Privacy
  • EquineNetwork.com
Copyright ©2025 Equine Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without written permission of Equine Network, LLC is prohibited. THE HORSE, THE HORSE logo, THEHORSE.com and THEHORSE.com logo are trademarks of Equine Network, LLC.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site you consent to cookies. Learn more

Sign In

Lost your password?

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

The Horse
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.