rubbed tail hair

[lizzib]

Can anyone tell me what might cause a pony to rub away the hair at the top of it's tail? (Spotted yesterday.. pony was fine two weeks earlier when I last saw pony). I`m trying to learn as much as I can and this was something I was curious to learn about.

Pony seems to wear a rug 24/7 atm. (Welsh Section B) I`m guessing that maybe mites or lice might cause such an itch.........and possibly getting too hot in a rug...... but is it too early in the year for sweet itch? Said pony has never had it before. Forgive me for being daft but I thought Sweet Itch occured spring ish and was triggered by midges??

Always eager to learn more!

 

[bonnie08]

no its not too early for sweet itch as this time last year my pony who have servere sweet itch had the sweet itch rug and fly masks and things on so it could be sweet itch has the pony rubbed any hair/fur from anywhere else??

And it is manily caused by midges but other flies aswell

also just because the pony has not had it before it can develop as they get older

hope this helps and if you want to know anything else feel free to pm me

 

[mandylou]

Pinworms perhaps?

 

[mandylou]

Here's a link with some more info:

http://www.equidblog.com/uploads/file/JSW-MA2%20Pinworms%20-%20Equine.pdf

 

[lizzib]

ah ha... you were reading my thoughts......"what are pinworms!"...... v. interesting.

didn`t see any missing hair elsewhere.............

gonna have a good looksee over tomorrow.

 

[lizzib]

and the answer was................. LICE. Horrible litter buggers!

 

[millimoo]

Benzyl Benzoate is very good for horses that rub their tails - I used to have a horse on loan who would periodically scrub his tail.
Applied with gloves, not only did it smooth the hair back down, it definitely stopped the itching.
I think it is mainly used for sweet ithc, but i've read it can be used for mites too - don't quote me on that