Rubbing his eyes and muzzle - can u help x

[Twinkletoes]

Hi - my Forester has started rubbing his eyes and muzzle area, he is bay and has now rubbed the hair off. He is in by day and wears a boett blanket when out, as he also rubs his tail and mane. Grazing is good but low level and flies do annoy him. His stable is airy and because of his COPD we are very aware of conditions required etc to keep him optimum. He has a good showing career and its not going to go much further this summer with all this face rubbing. Skin is not at all broken or heated, just hairless around his eyes mainly. Do you think hv vet send out some eye drops & pop face mask on? Want to get to the root of it rather than just hair regrowth etc. x

 

[MagicMelon]

I replied to a post like this not long ago, so maybe look back a few pages to find the original post?

Basically one of mine did this last summer - suddenly began itching his face to the point that the hair was rubbed off by his eyes, on his cheeks etc. I tried everything (creams etc.) and vet put him on anti-hystemines in case it was an allergy but didnt help. After 2/3 weeks it cleared up all on its own and the hair began growing back. So never knew what caused it!!

One of my other horses who has sweet itch has been rubbing his face raw in small patches since the winter. Very odd I know that he started way back then and hasnt stopped yet! He had a Boett put on for the first time in early March which I thought might help with his face (although I dont have the face cover bit), but it didnt. Vets been to check the usual things and guessed that it must be his sweet itch (even though he's never rubbed his face in the past) OR could be an allergy........ I changed his diet to soaked oats and alfalfa in case he had a barley / molasses intolerence but that hasnt helped. Ive tried washing him with numerous things to no avail. I also show mine so its not exactly ideal! I have just purchased one of those face masks from Solva Sweet Itch Solutions (like the Boett one but cheaper) so Im hoping that'll work although Im thinking he might just rip it!

Obviously try to not allow him to rub if possible but then it is horrid when the horse so clearly wants to. Mine is turned out 24/7 and usually shut out of the yard where he itches on the shelter edges. But he can still get at wooden fencing which is what he does it on. But even when he goes to a show, he'll rub on the side of the trailer etc. so its hard work trying to stop them!

Does he need the eye drops? Personally I wouldnt use them just because if he's also rubbing his muzzle, then it doesnt sound like an eye problem. But yes, Id try the face mask. It might just clear up on its own though no matter what you do!