Odd mane baldness

[Vaskenvalaja]

Hello all, a newbie to the forum here! I have been doing an ungodly amount of research on this issue but can’t for the love of me find any answers, so I figured I’d ask if anyone has any knowledge.

I have owned a 12-year old finnhorse gelding for over 6 years now. His mane is medium length, approx. 8 inches (still growing from a cut), a bit shorter towards the withers. The problem: at around the midway point of his mane it suddenly turns from very thick to very thin, the reason being that on the half closer to his withers there’s only one sad layer of mane growing at the top of his scalp and the rest of it is practically bald underneath. In all the time that I’ve had him there’s never been any mane growth in this area apart from a couple sad stray hairs here and there. He’s not itchy, only rubbing his mane every now and again like all horses, especially now that it’s fly season. There’s no breakage or wear, he’s simply just bald. His scalp is kept in good condition, during sweaty seasons I braid his mane to give it some breathing room and in the dry winters I keep it moisturised. As a native he rarely needs rugging. He occasionally gets some dandruff but no rashes or other skin issues. His nutrition is well taken care of and his mane, tail and coat are shiny and soft.

It’s not really that big of an issue but it bothers the life out of me that I can’t figure out the reason behind this. The lack of mane also leaves his scalp vulnerable to bugs and weather conditions. Would greatly appreciate any tips.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I think it may be the braiding even loose it can cause a pull on the hair I would stop doing it, maybe use shapeleys mtg or mega tex it helps with re growth.

Even pure coconut oil can help with hair growth I use it on my Arab's but as they have got older the hair is thinner but they are 19 and 20 now.

 

[vickyb]

It's not from trying to eat grass etc from under a fence is it? Sounds as though it might be a bit far back for that, but I had a mare thin out her mane drastically in one spot doing that. Just a thought.

 

[Goldie's mum]

What was he used for the first 6 years, before you had him?
A lot of his breed start their life in harness racing & are then backed to ride later. Constant rubbing from harness on a young horse's neck would cause permanent damage to the hair follicles. (Just my best guess!)

And welcome!

 

[FlorrieBrown]

I have an elderly cob with exactly this problem. His is the result of historic sweet tech or similar which he now seems to have grown out of, or be less affected by, in his later years. He just rubbed the area so much that the hair seems to have given up. I treat his mane with a bit of Megatek to try to encourage it to grow but the rubbed area half way along his neck is always thinner and he has a permanent bald area underneath it.