Re: RC: Heat bumps

[Linda Flemmer <bluewolfranch@yahoo.com>]

Diane,

"Heat bumps" are caused by many things, but not
usually "heat"...  Old thinking before horsemen
learned what we know today.  Removing the saddle "too
soon" is not really the cause either.  I do remember
the days in the 1970's when my saddle didn't fit and I
was told that I had loosened the girth too quickly &
taken the saddle of too soon!  Old Wives Tales.  :-0

The lumps or bumps are from swelling due to trauma to
the tissue in that area.  Probably the most common
cause is pressure in a localized area. The pressure
cuts off blood supply and initially appears as a dry
spot where there is no sweat.  Then swelling (the
bumps) appear.  With enough pressure over enough time,
there is so little blood supply that cells begin to
die.  The cells that color the hair follicles die
easily (hair will grow in white later), followed by
fast growing cells like the hairs follicles
themselves.  After the swelling, you would see hair
loss as the hair follicles die.  The next step would
be open sores or ulcers.  Gray horses will not show
the white hair, but they will often have white skin in
the damaged spot where their skin would normally be
black.

A poor-fitting saddle is generally the cause for this
syndrome.  It is either too narrow or it rocks forward
or back where it doesn't conform to the back and
creates pressure.  If there is a single lump on one
side of the back, the cause may be uneven distribution
of the rider's weight.  The rider may unconsciously
weight one hip or leg more than the other, the stirrup
leathers may be uneven, etc.

If the lumps are smaller than pea sized, it may be
local irritation from a saddle pad material, residual
soap in a pad after washing, or irritated bug bites
that are swelling.

If bumps are a pronblem for you, ask an experienced
endurance rider or saddle fitter to evaluate your
saddle's fit as well as your riding style.  Maybe you
can find an answer before there is permanent damage to
the horse's back.

Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV

--- Dianne Hilbert <imridinhi@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hello out there!
> Does anyone have any information regarding heat
> bumps?  Causes other than 
> removing saddle too soon?  Preventing reoccurrences?
> Any info/advice?
> Thank you!

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