It seems that something is going around the barn and it is suspected to be ringworm. A couple of the horses have it, and a few of the boarders, but we have a very qualified trainer and she said she has seen ring worm several times and whatever it is, is not ring worm.. But whatever it is is contagious and all the horses are loosing their coat and its grosss.

be careful you can get it too its nasty

ring worm that ive seen dos not cause the animal to loose fur. They generlly jsut break out in a rash. now they bould be loosing fur becasue there rubbing the rash. there r treatments for ringworm that u can probably find at a tack store or get it from ur vet.

oh & ring worm is contagious by touch so someone has to pass it along. like ur trainer who has touched multiple horses could have passed it.

http://horsegroomingsupplies.com/pictures/files/1/9/4/8/equineringworm2.jpg
http://equiderma.com/images/sweetitch_horse.jpg
http://cattletoday.com/photos/data/500/ringworm.jpg

If this is a decent barn, the veterinarian will be called and the problem identified and treated.

Anything that is contagious to both other horses and to humans should be diagnosed by a vet so it may be treated correctly. Has not anyone had their vet out to see this? Tissue samples of the lesions should be obtained and examined for identification. In the meantime, affected horses should be isolated, and antiseptic precautions taken.

Pics of ringworm

http://horseproblems.com.au/Photo%27s/Veterinary%20Photos/ringworm.jpg
http://customequineservices.ca/FWThumbnails/ringworm%20016.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wDjDRgpHDOM/Rcdou26alEI/AAAAAAAAAnw/jc1_lZiPguk/s1600-h/sunny_skin.JPG


it is not a true worm it is a fungus & does not need to be a 'ring' in appearance although that is the norm. If left to go too long the horse WILL lose hair in the affected area.
It is spread by trainer/rider not washing hands & touching another horse, touching another tack, sharing blankets & brushes, etc.
All horses should be washed in a fungicidal shampoo along with all blankets that r shared & brushes.
Hand washing between touching horses.

MANGE: Generally the symptoms of mange include areas of cracked, dry skin & formation of scabs. (another thought to ponder)
pics
http://icb.usp.br/~marcelcp/Imagens/zenz39.jpg
http://icb.usp.br/~marcelcp/Imagens/zens38.jpg

ring worm will ''glo'' under black light. It does cause hair loss & is contagious to humans & other animals. it will get worse too if the horses r blanketed as that helps create the nice warm humid environment it likes to grow in. Anti fungals will get rid of it.

Lice r another option, they r more common in winter weather & usually found under manes, forelocks, around the face. they can cause hair loss & even self mutilation by the horses as they try & stop the itching biting beasties from getting them. -- u will need a vet to get rid of them DO NOT use louseacideds for cattle or sheep as they cause bad skin reactions in horses.

mange is another one.. though usually the species of mange on the horse can not live on humans.

Someone needs to get a vet & get it looked at. Or to see their doctor & find out what the boarders have

I've seen fungus really pop up in darker/poor lighting barns. One thing with ringworm and fungus where there is hair loss is keeping your horse inside in a dark barn will not help. The sunlight/daylight helps kill it along with whatever treatment your vet prescribes. Make sure to sanitize the stalls once this clears up because the bacteria will hang out in the wood.

Well ringworm which is caused by fungus does destroy hair in the follicles. But it usually leaves just small hairless patches. It can be passed on by grooming tools, tack. l would personally just call a vet. Maybe its sarcoids? It can look like ring worm, But l really doubt that!