Balding horse - horse moisturiser??

[Horse_Mad!]

Hello all, I am hoping for some advice,

The silly mare is going bald on her face - she looks all dry and scurfy on her skin and her hair is falling out, but just on her face. I have tried washing it with hibiscrub but this has not helped. She was having the same problem in September when we got her but then it resolved itself - we thought she was lacking vits and mins and that it resolved itself when she was having proper feeds. But it seems this is not the case!

Any ideas what it could be? It doesn't seem to bother her, she scratches, but she always does that. I keep saying if she was a human I would moisturise her, but can you do this to horses? Would it help? And is there such a thing as horse moisturiser?

Thank you, looking forward to hearing any ideas!

 

[whisp&willow]

i know a few horses who go bald in patches on the head when they are shedding their winter woolies. also common in youngsters.

have also seen it as a reaction to lice, especially if they are scratching, and balding on the neck aswell.

if you want to moisturise it then i would just put a bit of vaseline on. this will keep the skin supple and make hair regrowth easier.

 

[Horse_Mad!]

Thank you - I'm not worried about her so much, but it's just unsightly which is a pain now we're starting to go to shows! I suspect it could be just because she's moulting. Vaseline is a great idea though - thank you!

 

[rosie-ellie]

I used nizoral antifungal shampoo (suggested by Tnavas - another member) for cracked heels last week and my mare also had dry skin. I have to say within 3-4 days her heels were clear and dry skin gone, i will be keeping this product in my medicine box from now on because i think its brilliant. Thanks Tnavas.
I wouldnt use hibi scrub but thats just me because i'm not a fan of the product i tend to use detol.

 

[Moomin1]

Sounds possibly like lice to me. I would ask your vet for some advice.

 

[Horse_Mad!]

She doesn't have any hair loss anywhere else though - what would other signs of lice be?

 

[glenruby]

If you are not concerned about parasites which are the usual cause of hair loss then wash with a medicated shampoo. My preferred ones currently are Coatex medicated dog and cat shampoo and universal medicated dog and cat shampoo. Obviously both are cat and dog but are brilliant on scurfy skin and mud fever/ scratches/ Pasternak dermatitis. Repeated use of hibiscus dries the skin out.

 

[rosie-ellie]

I agree with the lice, i treated my mare for lice before i tried anything else, nizoral shampoo is for humans http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/nizoral-shampoo-100ml.html i got mine from boots and i used it everyday for 3-4 days with good results. Goodluck!!!

 

[popularfurball]

I would be checking for lice too.

I personally wouldn't use the above shampoo on faces - just a baby shampoo - a cradle cap one that is safe for eyes.

As much as she isn't bothered, please do take it seriously - as an owner of a pony with pemphigus, hair loss can be very serious. Pemphigus is very rare but it's not to be ignored.

 

[Merlin11]

one of mine had this last year and it cleared up after i bathed him with insecticidal shampoo - think it may have been lice. i got switch on him early this spring and so far he is ok - he seems to be prone to lice despite me spending a fortune on feeds and supplements for him!