Itchy hocks

[petite-girle]

My 3 year old has really itchy hocks. He rubs them on the wheelbarrow when I'm pooh picking and always backs his legs to me asking for them to be itched. My instructor suggested putting sudo cream on them to help soothe the itching. I am concerned however as to why his hocks are so itchy. Does anyone have any knowledge and advice on this?

 

[Shysmum]

hiya - at this time of year it sounds like it could be feather mites. They make the whole lower leg very itchy, and cause constant scratching. I would speak to your vet - you can use jabs to clear them up. I use pig oil and sulphur all over the lower legs, and that sorts them out.

Hope that helps, sm x

 

[petite-girle]

Feather mites? My horse is a very fine warmblood with barely any hair and no feathers! It's also been going on a couple of months now. Thanks anyway

 

[abbieandfiona]

could be mites still as really does sound like them, knew a horse who had no feathers and had mites before.

 

[TheoryX1]

I've got a MW cob and his feathers are always clipped off. He just loves doing it. When YO mucks him out in the morning, she always places the wheelbarrow just so against the wall so that she can fling the dirty stuff in, while he rubs his hocks. He loves it, he stands there with his head in the air and his top lip curled up. I have to make sure I do the same in the evening when he is mucked out as well. Its part of our routine. He also loves mum 'grooming' his hocks with a rubber curry comb. It could well be just one of his 'spots' that he likes either being rubbed or scratched. My cob does get feather mites, but there are no scabs on his hocks, nor any sign of the little beggers.

I wouldnt worry about it unduly.