What are the common skin conditions?
In spite of the exposed position of the skin, it is usually remarkably free of disease. However the skin is also the organ most likely to be damaged accidentally – cuts, bruises and burns are common! It is difficult to say what is the most common skin disease. What is common in some circumstances is not necessarily common in others. For example, ringworm is common in racing yards but is very rare when horses are stabled on their own with no contact with others or poorly managed ponies might all be affected by rain scald in the middle of winter due to poor hygiene and the lack of shelter. Old horses are very prone to develop Cushing’s disease but it would be most unusual to encounter this disease in a yard of young racehorses!
