[RC] help needed ASAP with girth grunge - Karen Sullivan
For the first time in 10 years I have having a
girth problem. Prior to the last mont, I have been happily
using
cheap Chicks catalog neoprene cinches, with a Sport
saddle, on probably at least 10 horses with never a rub
or girth sore.
Last spring my Chicks Neoprene cinch fell apart, so
I custom ordered some neoprene cinches with elastic from
Montana Cincha. I noticed it was a different
type of neoprene, thinner. Used for 6 months with no problems i
saw.
Until a month or so ago...I noticed some hair loss
and scruffy skin on one side down low, on my
5 year old buckskin. Thinking it was a
fungus, I started using cleaning area with betadine, then applying
Clotrimazole
ointment twice a day (my vet reccomends it
for fungus), and
it did slowly start to clear up......then I read
this sounded like the beginnings of an allergy to neoprene. About that
time it showed up on the other side....Stopped using the neoprene cinch for a week...stopped the clotrimazole ,(since
soudned like NOT A fungus), and would wash area really well and then apply Mictotek spray 3 times a day for a week
(supposed to sooth and cure "girth itch").
Didn't ride the mare, so no cinch on, meanwhile
ordered woolback Toklat cinch which a friend had been having very good luck
with. Mare had 5 days no cinch, hair came back, things looked
good.....
Okay, woolback cinch came, mare now looks
fine....rode last night, somewhat hard ride with up and down. First thing
I noticed was that the saddle slipped unless I cinched tighter than I usually
have to do with the neoprene....but I did get one elastic end, so didn't worry
too much. took saddle off and checked cinch area...looked fine last night,
no rubs, no flakey skin, etc.
Looked this morning.....and she is sore, itchy,
bigger areas,now both sides of crusty and flakey skin....skin almost has a
scalded feel.....
Any idea? I'm stumped!!!! Mayby she wasn't
allergic to neoprene after all. Have a biothane quick cinch on order, that
is my
next to try....
She is young and I am stepping up the
distances......does she just need to "toughen up skin area?"
Any help appreciated!!!!! Of course, signed
up for first enduance rideon this mare, next weekend. Not really wanting
to ride 5 year old on first ride bareback!!!
