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[geordie_racer]

nothing to do with RACE horses, but

my daughters pony has had a touch of ringworm and we have been told [amongst many other bits of advice] that keeping him very tightly clipped helps avoid this little pest. Is this an old wife's tale?
I can see that it would help us spot it quickly, but otherwise i am struggling to see why it wopuld be of advantage [I'm a bit soft with him and think he will be better off in the winter with a decent bit of coat on him.....]

Any advice from those wiser than I gratefully received.
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Geordie_R
"A should of known there mum was buying banana's"

[theGoingStick]

Blimey this forums been used

I think ringworm is a fungal infection so to prevent it from coming back you'd need to keep the area clean and dry. I guess keeping the ponys hair short helps with this !!!

Isn't it about time you bought the poor blighter a horse rug ?

[jennywales]

Geordie, TGS is right - ringworm is a fungus (there are two types) which is passed on by contact (ie it is contagious, not infectious) - by contact with other animals, with contaminated equipment (tack, rugs and so on), and is usually curable with a course of one of two sorts of antibiotics (the type of ringworm can be determined by microscopy and the most appropriate antibiotic determined thereby).

I have had ringworm myself, through contact with infected calves when I was de-horning them (when you actually have to hold them to the ground while de-horning takes place!) It is not life threatening, but can be uncomfortable and unpleasant for the human or animal who gets it. The clipping is probably to do with the fact that there is a fungicidal wash which can be used, which is more effective if the skin is close clipped.

However, there are more modern treatments, and instead of clipping I suggest you consult your vet about a course of antibiotics. Rugging up would perhaps be necessary if the pony were clipped out completely, but I have found a pair of nail scissors much more effective for the small patches/lesions that develop. Rugs can also carry the contamination and are therefore to be avoided if at all possible - the likelihood, unless rugs are washed and sterilised regularly, of re-infection, is high.

Hope that helps!

[geordie_racer]

thanks both

we bought some cream [as used on humans] and he has been clipped; its all but cleared up now;

as for rugs he has more winter wear than me......
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Geordie_R
"A should of known there mum was buying banana's"

[jennywales]

Just testing....

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