strange ripples on horse's back

[BlackCat]

Hi there
I hope there is someone out there who has any ideas on what this might be.
Our 3yo OTTB filly has terrible 'ripples' (I actually don't know what to call it) all over her back.
She arrived here almost 4 weeks ago and had absolutely nothing wrong with her. Because of her age, we don't want to work her so she had only been getting 2 (maybe 3) days of work per week, just basic walk and a bit of trot and only for a maximum of 20mins. A little over a week ago, we had some terrible rain (it went on for more than 24 hours) and the next day her back was sore. We don't have stables at the moment so she was out grazing in the rain with our 11yo competition horse (also TB) all night.
We immediately stopped working her but a few days later it had just gotten worse, ripples/bumps had suddenly formed and she was completely stiff in the hindquarters.
The ripples had gone down 2 days ago and her back was almost fine again but that night, it rained...again...and then it rained the next day... The ripples were almost gone but yesterday they came back and had spread all the way up toward her withers.
the back pain (and ripples) was never actually in the saddle region, it started by the croup area and by the next day it had stopped in the middle of her back but never got any further than that.

On thing we know for sure is that this is not saddle related, her saddle fits perfectly and in any case, she has only been worked maybe 5-6 times since she arrived. We were using a wintec CC with a black (medium) gullet

Her back is extremely sore, especially there where the bumps are.
The bumps/ripples are not scabby or open, the hair is not falling out and she has not lost her appetite.

She is also teething (one of her teeth actually fell out into my hand 4 days ago!)

any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[Lacey Lu]

very strange? any signs of fungus?

[IndraAmber]

What was she eating before you got her, and what is she eating now?

The only thing I can think of is a reaction to something. I personally haven't seen something like that.

[ParkedOut]

Are those her veins? I can't understand what I am seeing....

[mozart]

The pictures and description sound like HERDA, although the other information doesn't fit.



I've never heard of TB's carrying the HERDA genes, nor does it make sense that the 'ripples' are occuring in places besides where the saddle sits, but that's the first and only thing that came to mind.

[Asfaloth]

One of my clients horses had this in the fall. It was finally discovered to be a kind of fungal infection that required veterinary treatment. I belive the information I got was that it is common in horses that wear neoprene tack.

[RedneckCowgirl]

The pictures and description sound like HERDA, although the other information doesn't fit.



I've never heard of TB's carrying the HERDA genes, nor does it make sense that the 'ripples' are occuring in places besides where the saddle sits, but that's the first and only thing that came to mind.

Is she an appendix? That would make HERDA a possibility. Its the first thing I thought of as well

[JBandRio]

She's an OTTB - can't be Appendix

OP - you will truly need to get your vet out. There may be some rainrot involved, but I don't believe it can be JUST rainrot.

OTTBs can come out with a variety of immune system issues because of how they are housed, fed, and especially if steroids are involved.

[RedneckCowgirl]

She's an OTTB - can't be Appendix

Didn't catch that part

[BlackCat]

Thanks for all the replies!

@ParkedOut, no, those are not veins. It is sort of a 'network' of lumps. it's rather difficult to explain it. I was standing next to her shoulder when i took this photo (if that helps!)

@Asfaloth and Lacey Lu. we were also going on the fungus idea. I've been asking all my horsey friends and it seems all anyone can think of is fungus!

@IndraAmber, we're in South Africa, so you probably wont know the brand of feed, but she was getting Equi-Feeds 12%, it's just your regular 12% concentrate. She is now getting another brand called Romix (also the 12%), no one has had any problems with the feed as far as i know.

@Mozart, oh golly, i sure hope it's not something like that! But her's definitely doesn't look anything like that. She is 100% pure TB, her breeding is verified etc and there aren't too many QHs here.