My horse wants to be a zebra! (Linear Keratosis)

[Paint Me Proud]

Kasper has always had a small bald spot on his shoulder, about the size of a 50 pence piece.

However from February the baldness has spread rapidly, in a very unusual vertical orientation, and confined only to that area.

Long story short, yesterday the vet diagnosed linear keratosis, a hereditary skin condition that causes lesions then permanent alopecia in a linear pattern.

I think Kasper just wants to be a zebra!!

This is the offending hair loss, now a permanent feature

Has anyone ever had a horse with this condition?

 

[ester]

As if he wasn't a funky enough colour already!

 

[Paint Me Proud]

As if he wasn't a funky enough colour already!

I know! lol

it doesnt bother me in the slightest, makes him even more unique

 

[Shady]

awww , dear of him!
never seen this but interestingly enough my OH has just looked over my shoulder as i said you have a beautiful horse and said he was looking for something on the internet and there was a horse with exactly the same markings and the thought was it had been a reaction to something washing off the mane, a product maybe that left burn like marks, he can't remember any more but is this possible ? it seems strange that a mark like a 50p that's been there for ages would suddenly change to what you have now,

 

[AdorableAlice]

This forum is so interesting at times, something new to learn. He is a very handsome zebra and I wish him well.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

awww , dear of him!
never seen this but interestingly enough my OH has just looked over my shoulder as i said you have a beautiful horse and said he was looking for something on the internet and there was a horse with exactly the same markings and the thought was it had been a reaction to something washing off the mane, a product maybe that left burn like marks, he can't remember any more but is this possible ? it seems strange that a mark like a 50p that's been there for ages would suddenly change to what you have now,

No it isnt a reaction to something, and we have ruled out any sort of fungal infection. It has been getting slightly larger very slowly until it suddenely progressed in the last two months.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

this photo shows how it looks on him as a whole, photo from last Sunday

 

[Snow Falcon]

Blimey. As AA said, you do learn something new every day.

Has he got any other spots on him anywhere that may turn into stripes?

 

[Ladyinred]

At least you will never need to freeze mark him! He is unique enough without.

Will it spread? Or will that be it?

 

[Illusion100]

He's a War Horse! FREEDOM!

 

[Gloi]

Gosh, my friend's old horse had this and we never knew what it was.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

Blimey. As AA said, you do learn something new every day.

Has he got any other spots on him anywhere that may turn into stripes?

At least you will never need to freeze mark him! He is unique enough without.

Will it spread? Or will that be it?

He has two tiny spots on the other side but they havent changed. However the condition is supposed to be very localised so unlikely to spread other than in the linear section it has laready developed in.

it doesnt scab or anything, just the hair starts to thin then falls out, he's not at all bothered by it.

I wanted to post about it as i hadnt heard of it either and googling dosnt bring up much helpful information, thought it may help other horses who have it and maybe owners dont realise.