If you’ve been around livestock long enough, you know this time of year can get frustrating fast. Everything is going good… hair is coming in, bloom is starting to show… and then out of nowhere, you notice it—a patch. Maybe it’s small at first. A little spot behind the leg, around the neck, or along the top line. But give it a few days, and suddenly you’re dealing with something you can’t ignore.
I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. And the truth is, spring is prime time for ringworm, fungus, and all kinds of skin issues. You’ve got moisture, humidity, shared spaces, and animals starting to sweat more—all the perfect conditions for problems to spread. And once it starts, it doesn’t just stay contained. It moves. Fast.
The biggest mistake I see (and I’ve made it myself) is waiting too long to act. Hoping it’ll clear up on its own or thinking it’s “not that bad yet.” But with this kind of stuff, early action is everything. The second I see a spot, I treat it like it’s going to spread—because most of the time, it will.
The first thing I focus on is cleanliness. If your pens, halters, brushes, and equipment aren’t clean, you’re fighting a losing battle. These issues spread through contact, and it doesn’t take much. I’ve gotten to where I’m way more intentional about what touches my animals this time of year. Keeping things clean and dry isn’t just about appearance—it’s your first line of defense.
Then comes treatment—and consistency matters more than anything. It’s not about doing something once and hoping it works. It’s about staying on it daily until it’s completely gone. Washing with the right products, treating affected areas, and making sure you’re not missing spots that can flare back up later.
That’s why I’ve leaned on using a full system instead of piecing things together. The Ringworm Prevention Pack has honestly made things a lot simpler for me. Instead of guessing what to use and when, it gives you everything you need to both treat and prevent these issues from getting out of hand. Between the shampoo and topical treatments, it works to eliminate the fungi and bacteria at the source while also helping protect against new flare-ups. And during a time of year when everything is trying to spread, that prevention piece is just as important as the treatment itself.
One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that even after it looks like it’s gone, you’re not done yet. You’ve got to stay ahead of it. Keep treating a little longer than you think you need to, keep your equipment clean, and don’t let your guard down—because it’s way easier to keep it away than to fight it all over again.
And don’t overlook how much this affects your animal beyond just looks. Skin issues can make them uncomfortable, cause itching and rubbing, and ultimately affect how they handle and show. If they’re not comfortable, it’s going to show in the ring—no matter how good they are.
At the end of the day, this is just part of the game this time of year. Every showman deals with it at some point. The difference is how quickly you respond and how consistent you are once it shows up.
Stay ahead of it, stay consistent, and don’t let something small turn into something that costs you later.
