Rain Rot in Horses

Easy Steps to Identify & Treat Rain Rot in Horses

best treatment for rain rot

Antimicrobial Horse Spray

Rain Rot and Horses --- What  is  Rain  Rot  in  Horses?

Rain Rot, also known as Rain Scald, is a common skin infection in horses caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis.

It’s often confused with ringworm, staph infections, or the fungal infection known as Scratches or mud Fever.  Truth be told, Rain Rot is a bacterial infection rather than a fungal one. The bacteria responsible for rain rot reside beneath the skin's surface.  This then explains why the resulting scabs on your horse may discharge unpleasant infected fluids. The infection has been brewing in an enclosed space!

Conditions  Conducive  to  Rain  Rot

What causes Rain Rot on horses? Bacteria accumulations and growth cause this skin problem. They thrive in the warm, wet conditions that are common in spring or early summer.  They also flourish in seasons when we experience wide fluctuations in temperature, such as in Winter or Spring. As you know, these temperature swings can lead your horses to sweat – whether it's simply from the weather or they're under their blankets or tack.  Consequently, their moist sweat and the warmth create an ideal setting for bacterial growth, resulting in equine skin infections.

Despite its alarming appearance, it is important to note that this bacterial infection is not as severe or as grave as it appears. In the realm of horse health concerns, it’s quite far from the top. It’s more unsightly than critical.  Plus, with a proactive approach and the use of a two-pronged solution courtesy of Banixx Horse Care, you can nip Rain Rot in the bud.  Banixx products provide you with a swift, simple, pain-free rain rot treatment plan for your horse.

Recognizing the  Signs  and  Symptoms

Rain rot presents as scabby, scaly, or crusty areas along the water run-off pattern mostly on your horse’s back and rump.

  • It is quite common in the neck area, particularly for horses that wear neck covers in winter.
  • Your horse's hair may one day appear with rough tufts instead of the usual sleek, smooth look. This results from the skin infection.
  • As the hair follicles die, the hair falls out, leaving open, smooth, hairless areas.  Or, in severe cases, small scabs or open sores.

Rain Rot Treatment Success Story

View images of Jazz, a horse with rain rot, before and after treatment with Banixx. The total transformation in just under two months demonstrates Banixx’s effectiveness when it comes to horses and rain rot.

Rain Rot in horses treatment
Rain Rot
how to treat rain rot
Complete recovery from Rain Rot

In these photos, you see Jazz with rain rot on January 26th (above/left) and then Jazz on March 29 ... after using Banixx to resolve the rain rot. What a difference!

Banixx Reviews - What Our Customers Have To Say

rain rot in horses treatment

Banished rainrot – We had a pony who had developed hives, which ended up contributing to the worst case of rainrot ever! This product cleared it up in a matter of days.

Additionally, we had 2 horses with thrush. Our farrier loved this product. It also cleared up thrush amazingly quickly.

By Lazyfilly (Smartpaq Customer)

best treatment for rain rot

I've tried almost every product available for the treatment of infections since I always seem to end up with horses that have problem skin. Banixx is effective and works quickly.

I've used it for rain rot, mud fever, and "mystery bumps". This product is easy to apply and causes no stinging or discomfort!

By Monika (Banixx Customer)

Banixx for your horse

Best treatment for rain rot. Worked great both times. Used this for a mild case of rain rot, then a bit later when one of my girls got into some barbed wire.

Worked great both times.

By A.S (Amazon Customer)

rain rot in horses

No more rain rot!!! My OTTB has lymphangitis and each case of mud fever and rain rot could get into her bloodstream causing her to become very ill.

This one product has single-handedly saved her!!! A case I was fighting for weeks was gone in three days. Thank you!!!!!!

By Chauntelle (Smartpaq Customer)

rain rot treatment

Two applications and the rain rot was gone. Horses hair also began to regrow. Best rain rot treatment!

By Ba4ever on Amazon

what is rain rot

Two horses had rain-rot. Nothing we had tried worked. Banixx is the most effective.

Highly recommended.

By M. E. Dunn (Amazon Customer)

    horse rain rot

    How to Treat Rain Rot in Horses

    While very mild cases of rain rot in horses might heal on their own, many cases of this horse skin infection will spread without special attention and treatment.  Fortunately, the Banixx approach is not only simple but delivers the best rain rot in horses treatment plan.

    1. Anti-bacterial Solution: Its anti-bacterial, antiseptic formula eliminates the conditions for bacterial growth, while also delivering a simple yet swift solution.  Moreover, it’s non-toxic and cost-effective.
    2. Painless Recovery: The unique pH formula ensures painless recovery, encouraging new hair growth.  With no scarring it’s fast in restoring your horse's appearance.
    3. Safe Application and affordable: Safe for use around the eye and mouth, Banixx is the 100% safe, anti-fungal & anti-bacterial solution to any horse skin ailments.  All this magic with no sting, no steroids and no clinical odor. Priced around $25 dollars for a healthy 16oz spray bottle that’s also highly successful or any other skin infection.
    4. Vet recommended as the best treatment for rain rot and widely used by top equine professionals and amateurs due to its swift, painless results.
    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx

    Step-by-Step Rain Rot Treatment for Horses with Banixx

    Liberally Spray Banixx: Spray against the direction of the horse's hair, gently patting Banixx into the infected skin area for good saturation.

    Avoid Scab Removal: Let Banixx debride scabs naturally with its unique pH, aiding painless removal.  Daily saturation of Banixx into your horse’s skin will help nature gently lift off rain rot scabs.

    Saturate the Entire Area: Ensure complete coverage by spraying slightly beyond the visible area to contain the infection. Too often the infection has spread beyond the area visible to the naked eye.

    Healing  Time

    Consistent Use: Consistency is Key. Apply Banixx 2-3 times daily. Once the crusty skin or scabs have lifted off, you’ll see healthy pink tissue underneath. Pink indicates good blood flow.

    Visible Results: Results, in terms of less crusty skin should be noticeable in 3-5 days.  Shortly, full recovery is under way but may take a week or two for larger or heavily infected areas.

    Patience with New Hair Growth: New hair growth that has the look of fine gossamer may be challenging to see initially.  It’s just so fine! But the evidence is right around the corner….so …patience is the name of the game.  As we all know, a watched pot never boils!

    Ease of Use: this aspect is so important.  Of all the horse rain rot home remedies, this one is most pleasant for your horse and so easy to follow. History shows that an easy to follow regimen means it's more likely to be done and hence success is more quickly achieved.

    Before and After Photos

    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx
    rain rot
    rain rot on horses

    Medicated Shampoo for Stubborn Cases

    For hard crusts or thick scabs, use Banixx’s uniquely formulated medicated shampoo to soften them.  Leave it in place for about 15 minutes to let it go to work.  Once rinsed, pat dry gently and then apply the gentle yet potent Banixx horse care spray.

    Multi-Skin-Issue Relief: Banixx’s medicated shampoo is effective at providing aid in the recovery of rain rot, scratches (mud fever), girth/mane itch and sweet itch. Moreover, it’s a powerful force against cannon keratosis, dermatitis, fungal/bacterial skin infections, as well as ringworm and yeast infections in dogs. 

    Irritation-Free Relief: Made without using soaps, detergents, parabens sulfates, alcohol, or steroids, our medicated shampoo is the ticket for rapid, irritation-free relief.

    Marine Collagen Benefit: Indeed, it’s enriched with moisturizing and nourishing benefits of marine collagen for maximum recovery to damaged skin and hair.  Thus offering effective treatment for many horse skin conditions, including rain scald, without the harsh, drying effects of typical soap-laden medicated shampoos.

    Chlorhexidine Power: This specially formulated, 100% safe shampoo also contains 4% time-honored chlorhexidine, delivering a potent punch to bacteria/fungus.

    Safe for Daily Use: Can be used daily for spot treatments or as an all-over body cleanser.

    banixx horse shampoo

    Banixx Medicated Shampoo

    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx

    Preventing Rain Rot Recurrence and...Stopping the Spread!

    As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With that in mind, here are some simple tips to help prevent rain rot from spreading or reoccurring:

    Hand Washing: Wash hands after handling a horse with rain rot.

    Disinfect Tools and Equipment: Disinfect grooming tools, equipment, tack, and anything in contact with the infected horse to prevent spreading. Don’t’ share tools and equipment with other horses!

    Low Human Infection Risk: While Rain Rot is contagious to other horses, the risk of infection in humans is low due to differing conditions. Albeit humans can spread rain rot from horse to horse hence our advice about non-sharing of tools and equipment. 

    Skin Ailment Prevention: Learn more about preventing common skin conditions in horses to ensure overall skin health.

    Regular care and attention to your horse's skin health contribute significantly to your horse’s overall well-being. Stop rain rot from raining down on your stables with Banixx.  It’s the best, effective and affordable skin care treatment, created to promote rapid recovery and prevent recurrence. 

    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot Before Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx
    Horse Rain Rot After Banixx

    Customer Testimonial:

    "My mare had a bacterial infection. I guess the layman's term for it is "Rain Rot". She developed patchy, scabby areas where the hair completely fell out. After treating these areas with Banixx Wound & Hoof Care for three days, there was a noticeable improvement. Now, after ten days of treatment, the wounds have healed & the hair is coming back. I am very satisfied with the product"Loren M, Valley Vet Customer
    "We noticed a large patch of fur missing from one of our mini donkeys and as we examined further we noticed lots more patches were starting underneath...the result of a very wet winter here in central VA, aka "rain rot". We started using diluted betadine as the Vet recommended, but our pet sitter who is very equine savvy suggested Banixx.. This product is an absolute miracle! The betadine was drying to tissue, but this product noticeably helped by the 2nd treatment. It soothed the scabbing and helped us ease the fur off from of the affected spots. We are rounding home with treatment and ready for healthy re-growth of her fur now! Thank you Banixx and Chewy.com!"Danijay, Chewy Customer
    "Banixx is a wonderful product. I have a horse in my barn that gets scratches and rain rot every year from all the fungus here in PA. This year she had none! We used Banixx as part of her normal grooming routine and she was free of the normal yearly problems. I've recommended Banixx to all my clients, especially those with "high white" (white socks) and bald-faced animals."Pam Kister, via Facebook
    "We had a pony who had developed hives, which ended up contributing to the worst case of rainrot ever! This product cleared up the rainrot in a matter of days. Additionally we had 2 horses with thrush. Our farrier loved this product. It also cleared up thrush amazingly quickly."SmartPak Customer
    "We are very pleased with your product, Banixx. A equine friend recommended it so I bought a bottle to have on hand. In addition to horses we have goats, llamas, pigs etc. Our grandmama goat lost her left horn and it was quite a mess. Tried everything and nothing seemed to help....we soon realized she was getting screw worms. So, I grab Banixx from the back of my medicine cabinet and a screw worm spray. Within hours there was a huge improvement, worms were dead and the tissue was healing. Thank you for a great product for all our wonderful critters. It will always been ready for all emergencies at our ranch. "Angie Gaines, Golden Curls Ranch

    NOTE: The symptoms of Cushing’s disease can often mirror certain horse skin infections. If you suspect your horse has Cushing's disease, contact your veterinarian. While Cushing's disease has been recognized for more than 70 years, only recently are there improved diagnostic and treatment options. A horse with Cushing's disease can NOW live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. Learn more about Cushing's disease.

    As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By "prevention" we mean being proactive and involved in your pet's welfare.  For example, if you are using Banixx for a particular problem and results are not seen in a few days or, if the situation seems worse--don't hesitate---it's time to consult with your local veterinarian!