Do you know what this is?

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myrtle1982

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I've just bathed my horse and noticed a bare patch of skin, about the size of two 1p pieces. It doesn't look scabby and defo wasn't a cut, it doesn't hurt him and isn't raised or lumpy. Its very clean, its just skin without hair. I haven't noticed him rubbing in the field (he lives out) and he doesn't wear any tack or rugs there... I did slightly notice something there last week but didn't really take it is because was so small. Obviously a little more hair has gone in the last week...
Any ideas? Should I try any creams or get vet out?
Thanks
Ps. There are no other marks on his body and he has no known skin conditions....
 
It sounds like Ringworm, get your vet to check..its not harmful but is hideously catching-for humans too, I should know cos last time our horses got it so did I-all over my face, Attractive!!
Do not wash or groom you horse as this spreads the spores and don't share brushes or tack/equipment
Its easy to treat millions of things (we used to use old engine oil!!)
 

A bit about Ringworm

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin which can spread rapidly from horse to horse, or from horse to human. Confusingly, despite the name, ringworm is not always ring-shaped and has nothing to do with worms. There are many different types of ringworm, but the two main ones are the Trichophyton and Microsporum species. The fungus grows across the surface of the skin and around the hairs, producing a variety of changes affecting the horse¨s coat and skin.
Ringworm can appear in many different disguises. If your horse has a skin rash, sore or bald area for which there is no other obvious explanation, you need to have him checked for ringworm. If you are doubtful whether your horse has ringworm, it may be best to treat him for it anyway to avoid the risk of the infection spreading further. Ringworm is one of the few conditions where it is safe to do this.

Hope that helps!
 
Probably one of the other horses has given him a pinchy bite and skimmed off the hair
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Merlin got treated for ringworm last year as it looked so similar, but then I noticed one of the other horses taking little chunks out of him
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Ringworm has grey skin flakes in the centre of the bald patches.... which are not always ring like!!!
 
Could it also be an occult (think thats the right name) sarcoid? My mare has two, they are just like smooth, bald patches of skin as you describe. Best get the vet to have a look - I think they usually advise leaving them alone unless they change (mine did) as treatment can aggravate them into a worse type of sarcoid.
 
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