Girth gall is commonly associated with dirty tack and poorly groomed horses. But even horses with the cleanest tack get sores. Sometimes these are ringworm, not poor skin care. Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection that is easily passed from horse to horse on shared equipment. It can also be passed by a rider’s boots, which would rest on the horse just behind the girth area during riding.
Source: EQUUS, August 18, 2022. Link.
INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and newsletters as fair season ends to alert horse owners to be watchful.