Moulting and bald patches

[shannonandtay]

This is our first year with our boy and he has been moulting for a few weeks now. Have noticed that in areas where he has a rug on like the shoulders and under the saddle that these areas the hair has become really fine. There's no sores or redness, and I called my saddler out to check the fit even though I had only had her out a few weeks ago to reflock and fit my saddle. She said she sees this a lot at this time of year where the horse moults and it's nothing to worry about. I've also noticed that where the reins touch on his neck there is a small patch of hair there that has thinned. Has anyone else got this at the moment, I'm scared hes going to have bald patches everywhere.

 

[Honey08]

Don't worry. Its normal. My gelding gets patches on his shoulders from the rugs and small patches under his saddle at this time of year. It never affects his summer coat or causes any other problems, and it has happened with three different saddles as he has grown up and changed saddles.

 

[Baggybreeches]

Yep mine too, currently sporting bald patches from the poly pad at the back of his saddle!

 

[shannonandtay]

Thank you, I haven't noticed this on any other horse before. I'll try not to panic now I'm not the only one

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Don't worry about this at all, at this time of year it's very common. The coat hair is fairly brittle & the coat shows rub patches in various places, where the reins rub on the neck, the chest where the rug rubs, on the back where the saddle sits & sometimes where the girth lies. This is normal & when their spring coat comes through it will all disappear so don't worry.

 

[lyndsayberesford]

pleased to read this as mine has a few patches under the saddle cloth area which when i have brused a bit of hair has come out and left baldish spots!

I worried at first but it isnt scabby or anything! think he has got hot under his rug or something! I hope it all looks ok by the time summer coat starts coming through