Tail fallen out

[Theresa_F]

Just had a call from a mate, has anyone experienced all the hair from about three quarters down the dock falling out within a couple of days. All that is left is a few strands at the tip and the top half of dock is still there.

Skin is a little flakey but not sore, scabby or bleeding. Rest of body is ok, but there are a few tiny circles in the hair - but not ringworm.

Tail is not rubbed, just the hair has fallen out.

I have a few ideas, but wondered if anyone else could throw some light/experience on this.

 

[Passtheshampoo]

Ok a few thoughts :- Has the horse had a tight tail bandage left on for any length of time? Is it in foal if it's a mare as hormones can make the tail and mane hair brittle. Is it in with cattle or does it have a foal on it as my little colt has eaten his mum's tail little beggar?

 

[kellyeaton]

i was going to sat about have you had a tail banadage on? has he rubbed it out maybe?

 

[Theresa_F]

Nope, nothing eaten it as on individual turnout, not pregnant and no signs of rubbing.

Did wonder about a tail bandage but would that only effect the bottom of the dock?

 

[Honeypots]

It could if it wasn't even pressure but would expect the skin to be sore or swollen too.
Has the horse perhaps suffered any trauma to the tail some time ago that has killed off the hair at the roots...maybe got it caught and pulled hard or rubbed while travelling or something?

 

[DuckToller]

The only case I know was the tail bandage scenario. Rider put it on wet tail, it tightened up and restricted blood supply and the hair fell out, mostly from the bottom third.

 

[My_chestnut_mare]

could he be depressed????

when i first got my first ever pony he lost most of his tail and was down to being really down.

 

[tiggerette]

stress - mental or physical can cause this, can happen with humans too (hair loss that is not tail falling out!)