Heather Smith Thomas

Sometimes it’s difficult to prevent spread of contagious diseases, but it helps to thoroughly disinfect the stall where a sick horse has been before using it again for any other horse.

Jenny Wilkinson, DVM, of the University of Vermont, said that horse owners need to know rain rot is contagious. “People originally thought it was caused by a fungus that lived in the soil. Research showed it is caused by bacteria that live on the skin. Horses may carry it and never develop a problem, but other horses they come into contact with might be susceptible to infection.