Why Do Animals Rub Themselves?
Chafing can be caused by a horse, dog, or cat rubbing against trees or other surfaces. The purpose of rubbing is usually to relieve itching or discomfort on the skin.
Common reasons for itching and skin discomfort include:
- Allergies or skin sensitivity
- Inflammation
- Shedding
- Ill-fitting equipment or unsuitable care products
- External parasites
Chafing can easily become inflamed, especially in horses that spend a lot of time freely outdoors. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the rubbing so it can be treated and prevented in the future. Instructions for different skin problems are available on our website.
Causes of Mechanical Chafing
Animals can also develop chafing from mechanical reasons. The most typical causes are sports equipment used during activity.
Common examples:
- Chafing caused by equipment in horses (saddle, girths, harness equipment)
- Harness and pulling-equipment chafing in dogs
Preventing Equipment-Related Chafing
Ensure that the equipment used fits your animal correctly.
Prevent chafing by always using equipment on clean skin and coat. Brush away mud and sand under the equipment. You can also support the skin with the following products to help protect against friction:
- Derma10 Heel Balm: Apply to the skin under equipment (e.g., tail strap, leg boots) to reduce friction.
- Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care: Adds glide under equipment, moisturises and conditions both skin and coat.
Treating Chafing with SOLHEDS Products
- Chafing where the skin is broken
- Wash the area with antiseptic Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo
- Apply Derma2 Calming Serum or Derma11 Anti-itch Spray to the clean, dry area
- Calluses, scar-like thickened skin (“elephant skin”), such as elbow calluses in large dog breeds
- For broken skin: Apply antimicrobial Derma5 Germ Fighting Cream to prevent and treat skin infection
- For intact calluses: Derma10 Heel Balm softens and increases skin elasticity, helping prevent the callus from cracking and becoming infected
- Both products can be used daily on clean, dry skin
Product benefits:
- Derma1 Shampoo cools the skin, softens possible crusts, and removes harmful microbes (e.g., bacteria) to prevent infection
- Derma2 Serum and Derma11 Anti-itch Spray promote skin and coat regeneration, soothe itching, and absorb well without leaving a dirt-attracting surface
Information on product safety of animal care products can be found here.
Rug rubs in Horses
Care instructions:
- Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care: Clipped coats cause friction and reduce rug glide. Spray onto the coat in areas prone to rubbing, such as the shoulders. Derma9 conditions and moisturises both skin and coat/mane.
- To support regrowth of rubbed-off hair and skin: Derma2 Calming Serum