[LordOfDaReins]

My arab has sores on her lips, and they are obviously keeping me from riding her (I can't put the bit in he mouth, and she has too fine skin for a hackmore or halter. They hurt her and sometimes bleed, and they are making it hard for her to eat. She is trying to keep her lips apart all the time, and she trys to chew with her mouth open, so her hay and saliva fall out, so I have to feed her twice as much as she is supposed to have because most of it ends up half chewed on the ground. So I need ways to help heal and medicate this. (the last thing I need is an infected mouth) Also, If anybody has suggestions on ways to !ride! her without using the halter or a hackmore or a bit! (She can't have any of them), I would really apreciate it, seing as now the only ways I can exercise her is by free longing and leading.

[tn walker]

It sounds live vesicular stomatitis. A couple of horses at a barn near us got it last year from hay that had been infected with a chemical. Talk to your vet. It is treatable, but is also contagious to other horses, so don't share bits, etc. The sooner you talk to your vet the better.

[LordOfDaReins]

Well, thats a good thing, cuz I seperated her and gave her seperate feed when I found it. Is there anything I can do until the vet gets here? She can barely even lick up some oats from my hand. (and even then I get at least 3 tablespoons of saliva on my hand)

[MissBandit]

Exactly how long have you left it before you called the vet? I personally have not had an issue like this, but this sounds extremely serious to me. If she is in so much agony that she cannot even eat, then why on earth are you exercising her?!? Your vet should be able to come out PRONTO, and you should let her rest in comfort until then.

[Dawn]

It seems that you have a rather lackadaisical view of this apparently serious situation. Even if the actual cause of the problem isn't serious, her being off of her feed and in pain could easily cause her to colic.

[Estelle]

Call your vet now..sounds like you waited quite a while as it is if it is that bad now!!! Your vet will come out same day on an emergency call and fact that you didnt call him as soon as this started has now, in my opinion, made it an emergency..gonna cost you more bucks this way, but youre just gonna have to suck it up..that's how it is when you have animals or childern, beings that depend on you for their well being...good luck.

[belle4]

She can barely even lick up some oats from my hand.

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My arab has sores on her lips, and they are obviously keeping me from riding her (I can't put the bit in he mouth, and she has too fine skin for a hackmore or halter. They hurt her and sometimes bleed, and they are making it hard for her to eat.

If your horse can't eat, and her mouth is so sore she can't close her lips, the last thing you should be worried about is riding her!!!

[Super_Trooper]

I wonder if horses can get cold sores....like humans? Get your vet to come....ease her pain.

[Sandra-A1]

It seems to me that first thing you need to get the Vet out. wink

Next, I would get some complete feed pellets and soak them and get them soft and mushy so maybe the mare would be able to eat without a lot of pain. I would probably add a bit of honey or molassas to it to motivate her to try it.

[Idrivetrotters]

If the vet just says non seriuos, try epsom salt mixed with peroxide to help dry up the sores. I used a liquid niacin spray when my mare got sores from pulling on the bit, but I'm not sure where to get that over the counter. The salt works wonders. As far as food goes, oats, pellets, and a little bran plus supplements mixed in warm water will help eating wise. Good luck!