shave a foal

[leahisabella16]

Hi, I have a 10 month cob foal that is really hairy. I recently found out he has seasonal alopecia. I thought it was settling down but now its getting hurrendous. His bald patches have all gotten bigger and chunks of hair are falling out leaving new bald patches to get bigger. Some are bigger than my hand!! In the night, he gets really really sweaty, itchy and generally irritated I just dont know what to do for him. I wondered whether I should shave him partially where its bad or just leave nature to run its course. I asked a few people at the farm and no-one knew what would be best for him as there are pros and cons for both. Please help!! Thanks

 

[littleshetland]

Speak to your vet! Clipping may be an option or a good grooming every day to help remove his winter coat - but probably best to speak to the vet.

 

[Tnavas]

Have you checked for lice. They are very good at making the horse bald in patches.

Then give him a thorough bath using Nizoral shampoo. You buy it at the chemist. Dilute with hand hot water and work well into the coat. Leave 10 mins and then rinse off. Getting really sweaty can lead to fungal infection, this can affect the coat.

Make sure that your pony has a multi mineral supplement that contains zinc and copper. These two minerals help to produce healthy skin and hair.

Then lots of daily brushing to help the coat come out. If you can avoid clipping him now as it will take the top off the summer coat and he'll have no shine.

 

[Fides]

Seasonal alopaecia? Never heard of that... All horses lose hair at this time of year - my welshie has 'holes' where he has rubbed his winter coat due to being warm and itchy. Is yours totally bald or is there much shorter hair underneath?

 

[Tnavas]

Seasonal alopaecia? Never heard of that... All horses lose hair at this time of year - my welshie has 'holes' where he has rubbed his winter coat due to being warm and itchy. Is yours totally bald or is there much shorter hair underneath?

It is a condition - had a couple like it myself - the coat falls out before the new coat has emerged from the skin. Can also be caused by fungal or lice infection.

 

[Mince Pie]

Fides, I've seen it first hand on 2 occasions, both ponies (one C and one cob) had is in patches when coming in to spring, although theirs was confined to their face/neck. Both cleared up within a month/6 weeks and summer coat came through as normal