SmartPak’s Ask the Vet: Saddle Fit, Colic Research, Rain Rot, and More!

[originally published in the September 2016 issue of Show Horse Today]

Questions answered in this episode:
1. How do you soothe itching for a horse who is sensitive to bug bites?
2. What are some guidelines for when I should ice my horse, and should the hind leg be iced the same as the front? I feel like I see far less hind leg icing.
3. What are some behaviors you might see in a horse who is uncomfortable with the way their saddle fits? If your saddle doesn’t fit is it bad to get a thicker pad or is it better to get a new saddle?
4. My friend’s horse has passed away due to colic. Is there anything new for colic in horses out there that can save their lives? Also, how far along are vets in research in finding more cures for colic?
5. I recently started riding a horse for my trainer that has rain rot. His skin is a total mess and there’s no arguing with that, but I feel like people often call any skin issue “rain rot”. What really is rain rot and how do I fix it?