What causes ringworm to spread between horses?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Ringworm usually spreads between horses through direct contact with an affected horse or by sharing contaminated kit, surfaces or grooming tools. It can also pass on via tack, rugs, stable fittings and anything else that has had contact with skin or hair flakes.

It can be frustrating because signs are not always obvious at first, and more than one horse may be involved before anyone realises what is happening.

Things To Check

1. Check whether any horse has round patches of hair loss, scabs, flaky skin or areas that look sore or rubbed.

2. Look at shared items such as brushes, rugs, saddle pads, headcollars and lead ropes to see if they may have been used on more than one horse.

3. Think about whether horses have had close contact in the field, stable, lorry or at shows, especially if one horse had obvious skin changes.

4. Check whether grooming tools, tack or rugs have been cleaned between horses, particularly if the issue has spread within the yard.

5. Look for signs on people who handle the horses as well, since ringworm can sometimes pass to humans too.

6. Note whether new arrivals, borrowed equipment or recent movement between yards happened before the first signs appeared.

7. Check whether the skin changes are getting larger, multiplying or appearing on more than one horse.

Common Causes

The most common cause is direct horse-to-horse contact, especially when horses live closely together or travel together.

Shared grooming kit, rugs, tack and stable equipment are another common way it spreads, because fungal spores can linger on items and surfaces.

Less commonly, contaminated clothing, gloves, handlers' hands or yard equipment can carry it from one horse to another.

Ringworm can also seem to spread more easily where horses are under stress, have lots of close contact, or where hygiene between horses is inconsistent.

What To Do

Separate any horse with suspicious skin changes from others where practical, and avoid sharing grooming tools, rugs or tack until the situation is clearer.

Clean and dry equipment thoroughly between horses, and keep a close eye on any other horse that has been in contact.

Wash hands after handling affected horses and consider changing gloves or outer clothing between cases if you are moving between animals.

Keep a simple note of which horses, items and areas may have been involved, as this can help you spot the pattern and manage the yard more easily.

If the patches are spreading, not improving, or you are unsure whether it is ringworm, ask your vet for advice so the cause can be confirmed and managed appropriately.

Products That May Help

Good yard hygiene can be helpful as part of managing horses with suspected ringworm, especially when you need to clean shared spaces, equipment and surfaces more carefully.

Yard & Cleaning

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