Hair loss on legs and bum

alsxx

alsxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2006
Messages
3,227
Location
Moved to Devon!
Visit site
2 weeks' ago my mare came back from loan, since she came back she has been turned out 24/7. Today I got her in for a clean up prior to having feet done in am, and noticed her hair is coming out in small clumps on her legs. The skin underneath is not inflammed, infected or even particularly sore looking. Her hind legs are worse, and this extends from just above her fetlocks, right the way up past her hocks on the front of the leg (gaskin area).

It really really does not look like mud fever to me. Also the tops of her legs are the driest part, yet her pasterns are perfectly normal and are constantly wet from the mud.

About 3/4 days ago I also noticed my TB gelding had a little patch of hair come away by his tail, this has grown in size over the last couple of days (not helped by me nosing at it and discovering the hair just pulls away :o) and he now has a patch either side of his tail. At first I thought he'd been scratching his bum, but his tail shows absolutely no sign of rubbing. Again, the skin underneath is undamaged and not at all sore.

Interestingly, was over at a friends yard (same friend who had mare on loan) earlier today, and she mentioned one of the horses my mare had been turned out with, and was stabled next to, had really bad mud fever, and had had patches of hair loss higher up on his body. I've texted her to ask is she SURE its mud fever, and explained about mare, and she's certain it is but is going to look her over tomorrow.....I'm wondering if this is something else - mites, fungal? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any over the counter remedies I can try before having to resort to (yet another!) vet call out?
 
Really? Both are well rugged and the mares legs are displaying this on the 'driest' parts of her legs. IME of rain scald the fur comes away leaving exudate underneath and this is not the case here.
 
It's a different kind of rainscald really where it's more dirt/grease that is clogging up the pores killing the hair. You will probably find that the skin will become quite dry and flaky and then new hair will grow. Brush it all off and give your horse a good, thorough groom daily.
 
I can't quote from my phone but both are regularly groomed, have lovely coats and are certainly not greasy or the opposite, dry. I'd welcome anyone to come and see the good condition and gleaming coats my horses have in winter!

I really don't think this is a type of rain scald, I've been keeping horses for years and have seen most things unfortunately. this has appeared on two horses within the space of days of each other, coinciding with something similar at the yard the mare has just returned from, can't help but think this is something else? Thanks though I will speak with my vet and see what they can recommend.
 
I have the same problem with by TB - bald patches either side of his tail - he is heavily rugged and now think its due to him not being able to lift his tail high enough to poo clearly, have now tucked tail flap of rug underneath and have been putting nappy rash cream on it to see if that makes a difference. It was quite alarming as it went from little rubbed areas to large bald patches overnight!
 
Hi, well the TB has stopped loosing hair near his bum now, he's just been left with a patch either side! No it's not itchy at all, and he hasn't been scratching, it just fell out then stopped! It's really weird, he is groomed everyday, rugged accordingly in well fitting rugs... No idea! Def not pinworm either!
 
I have similar problem with my horse, except his is front legs. I came to the conclusion it is a fungal infection due to the warm wet weather
since I started spraying with athletes foot spray the hair loss has stopped
 
Pretty sure what my mare has on her legs is fungal; never seen anything like it. Its responding to treatment but is going to take some time to heal completely. Ho hum, horses eh!
 
my mare has hair lose on her hind legs around here pastern and fetlock, it is really scurfy ( no redness or sore) .
but i have noticed she is kicking out as if its irritating her and itching , she has been bringing her leg around and biting.
im not sure what this is but im certain its not mud fever!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top