I have a pony that is 23 years old recently she's developed these sores that ooze a thick yellow substance. They get crusty and when you rub them the scabs come off along with some hair. She has them on all four legs and sometimes develops them on her face and neck. Even more recently she's developed these large swollen pockets of fluid on her abdomen which are warm to the touch her legs are also very swollen. Our local vet is at a loss as to what this is. She has cushions disease and has foundered multiple times.

We have tried using different shampoos and fly sprays thinking that perhaps she was having an allergic reaction to the chemicals in them but it doesn't seem to make a difference. The only thing that seems to help is an anti fungal shampoo along with some Benadryl. We've noticed that it tends to get worse while the weather is warm but seems to calm down during the winter (she still gets them just not as bad).

Wow I have never heard of this. Sounds like some type of boils. I would definitely get several vets opinions on it if your one vet is clueless about it.

Could it possibly be a reaction to some plant she is eating? Have you tried moving her to a different location, and/or putting her on a different diet? And how long has she been developing these?

Good luck, hope you find the cause or at least a remedy.

We also thought that it was something in her paddock however, we have had her for all but the first 3 years of her life she's been in that paddock for the entire time that we have had her. What we have not tried is changing her diet but that may be something that we should now consider as we are at a total loss. We also tried calling Cornell University Equine Center and they too are at a loss. Our next step is to try to send them a sample of her hair follicles and skin.

She's had this for about three years now but it always seemed to clear up after we gave her a bath with anti-fungal shampoo, she's seen the vet several times for this issue and he basically just gave her an anti-hestimine shot which made it clear up for a very short period but it always seems to come back. This is the worst we have ever seen it and it doesn't seem to be going away this time.

Thank you for your help, it is very much appreciated. If there is anyone out there that may have some inkling of an idea as to what this maybe please post! T_T