Sudden hair loss, flaking skin and scabs on belly...

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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www.farandride.com
Today whilst feeding my horse I noticed an alarmingly large patch on her belly where her winter coat has come away and the skin is very dry and flaky. Some patches are pink and sore looking and there are a few scabby areas.

I hadn't noticed it before and obviously should've been paying more attention! Belle lives out 24/7 and someone else has fed them for me recently as I was unwell. Due to the winter woollies you really have to stick your head underneath her to spot it easily but then it's very evident!

None of our others have the same issue and it is only apparent on the underside of Belle's belly, back towards her back legs. She doesn't seem at all upset (though I can't imagine it's very comfortable) though she has been very itchy in the last week or so, presumably because of the warmer weather. They've all be rolling and rubbing trying to get their coats out, but I don't see how she could have possible rubbed that part herself.

Other than this she seems in excellent health. I don't really have any idea what it could be so wondered if anybody else had any ideas? The only thing I can think is that our field has been a bit more 'midgey' lately with the more mild weather, so perhaps that has something to do with it?

Only got bad photos as with my phone and poor lighting, but here's something to give you an idea:

photo_zpse421581f.jpg


Thank you.
 
She may have rubbed with her feet they are very flexible :) I used some of the Kevin Bacon soap stuff on an itchy patch the other year and that worked sorry cant recall exactly the product name.
 
Thanks for your thoughts. I know she can reach some of her belly but wasn't sure she could scratch that far back to reach the furthest back parts that are rubbed. Maybe I'll have to sit and observe tomorrow to see what she gets up to!
 
She looks quite a hairy type, could she have mites? They will go up onto the belly area I think from the back legs. Mine had a small bald patch on his belly I noticed when I started having to treat him for mites this winter. Alternatively could it be rain scald? From a patch of mud that's got settled in there under the hair?
 
My cob gets similar every year but in autumn. Vet thought it was a mud fever type thing. I soak the scabs in warm water and pick them off then cover in filtabac cream and it clears up in a few days
 
Thanks for the replies. She's an ISH but lives out all year and only lightly rugged when weather is bad, so is quite woolly! Could certainly be mites, I will look into that, thank you. I don't think it is mud related as mud rarely gets on that part of her, except for a tiny splattering if she's been galloping around in it. That part of her usually stays fairly clean and dry and there are no signs of this on any other parts of her body. I'll have another look in the light tomorrow but thanks all for your thoughts so far :)
 
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