[QUOTE=jaybird660;8810256]
I know this might sound odd but I had heard ointments like Desitin help and suggested that to a couple of customers with the same issue. Not neat but they said it did help. I have never tried it personally.[/QUOTE]
It was suggested to me, too. Would probably be great UNLESS horse has to stand outside in broiling temps. Most ointments have a petroleum base. I just checked Desitin and it does too.
The odd thing with my pony was that simultaneously with the girth rub his skin was peeling (majorly in some places) between his front legs and at girth area. I tried putting things on it - to medicate, to soothe, etc. - No luck. He even had swelling at top insides of legs at one point and was short-stepping.
Finally one of the BMs who’d worked with stock horses out west, said “That’s what we used to call heat rash. Best thing is just leave it alone, let his body heal itself. And make sure not to put any petroleum product on him, because it changes in the heat.”
So I checked my fly spray, too. It, along with other pastey stuff I’d put on him, was oil (petroleum) based. Ceased and desisted. Eventually cleared up as long as I kept the fly spray (and everything else) off. Even a water-based spray started to build up on him (I spritzed him with water after riding but even one application could end up concentrated under his front legs if it rained) and it started all over again. At its worst it was itchy and sore. Even his chest was peeling.
Poor pony. :no: Worst part was knowing I did it to him!
Cue the hysterical tears, because the girth has been working great to keep the saddle in place on his little round self and true to the marketing, he was moving better in the first ride. Since he does get rubbed quite easily (the Tekna shaped girth gave him a rub just while warming up!), I was heartened to see no rubs in the first week.