Bald patches on bottom

[Busybusybusy]

I wondered if anyone can shed any light on what's going on with my horse. I moved yards 2 weeks ago and since I moved I noticed that my horse has bald patches on either side of his tail on his bottom. Initially it looked like he'd rubbed it a bit (yesterday) but this evening it is scabby and the hair has come off in an area about the size of a side plate, it is also a little sore under his tail. He has had his diet changed over the past 2 weeks and he is wearing a thick rug which has a tail cover and I wondered if it's too heavy for him to lift his tail up enough to poo and the dropping to clear his dock? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have started putting cream on the patches & under the dock.

 

[kerrieberry2]

could he have been bitten by another horse?

 

[Spring Feather]

Sounds like the rug is rubbing. Do you have a picture of it? Someone posting on here just a couple of days ago (but I don't remember who) with a picture of their horse who had rug rubs in the same spot as you are mentioning. Rug rubs at this time of year are actually quite common with heavily rugged horses.

 

[Busybusybusy]

This is what I thought it might be, as the rug is a heavy weight and the bit that covers the tail is heavy also - I wonderde whether to see up the tail flap so it wasn't so restricting.

 

[Busybusybusy]

Definitely not been bitten as they are on individual turnout

 

[amandap]

Is there evidence of poo? I've just been reading about folk with mares having problems with soreness caused by inability to lift their tails enough to wee cleanly under tail flaps and the mares are getting stinky and sore.

Also worse if the fillet string is material.

 

[Spring Feather]

What make of rug are you using? Some rugs have better and less restrictive tail flaps than others.

 

[Busybusybusy]

The rug is a premier equine winter buster - the heaviest one as he is underweight and don't want him losing condition trying to keep warm, although with this milder weather I think I will change to his medium weight one, but that's also premier equine trio. He wears is in the stable also. Was thinking I might have to change his rugs at night so he's in a stable rug which is not restricting round his tail at all. Will post a picture tomorrow when I am at the yard in daylight.

 

[Shysmum]

Can you post pics ?

The only other thing I can think of is possible pinworm - they rub their bums if they have this ? (Strongid P is the wormer peeps suggest). Unlikely, but just a thought.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I wouldn't have thought a rug rub could be the size of a side plate that rapidly surely!?

 

[D66]

Like Twinkleshy says - pinworms.
Check the position of the patches. Are they level with where the horse would rub its itchy bum on a fence or tree?