White hair appearing on nasal bones

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Rocky01

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Hi, my boy has recently had white hairs where the noseband on his headlock goes. The yard I'm now on always turns out in head-collars (no I'm not that happy about it but don't really have a choice). He also wears a neck and head cover overnight but that tends to finish above the danger area. Just wondering if anyone has come across this, also any ideas to limit the white hair would be good too. I've put some sheepskin over the noseband for now but not sure what else to so Thank you :)
 
White hair usually means the skin has been damaged either by constant friction or a proper injury, I would not be happy with this as unless the horse is difficult to catch there is no reason to leave headcollars on it sounds as if the yard are very lazy not bothering to take them off when they turn out or cannot take the extra moment to put them on when they catch in.
I suspect the headcollar is slightly too small and constantly rubbing as the horse is eating, are you using a leather one which is less likely to cause this and would be safer if he got caught on something, it would require plenty of cleaning to keep it soft and possibly regular adjusting so it is not always in exactly the same place, or even better have several different ones, sheepskin may help but may make matters worse if he gets warm under it and is wearing it all day every day.

I think as there is clear evidence that he has been damaged by the yard rules that they make an exception for him and turn him out without one, if you put it the right way they may change the policy before others are scarred in the same way.
 
Same as above, if you really have to turnout in a headcollar use a flat (non padded) leather headcollar and make sure it's reasonably loose fitting. I would clean at least weekly to stop grease and dirt building up or give it a wipe every evening x
 
I'd think the headcollar needs changing for one with more room in the noseband. Also, some fly masks will give white hairs across the nose in no time.
 
be positive said:
I think as there is clear evidence that he has been damaged by the yard rules that they make an exception for him and turn him out without one, if you put it the right way they may change the policy before others are scarred in the same way.
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^^ this would be my approach too. I'd be pretty gutted about the white hairs.
Is your horse good to catch? Assuming he is then I'd be pushing hard against the headcollar rule.

and if he's not, then a light, loose, clean headcollar is probably the way to go. You could interchange one of the very light webbing fieldsafe ones with a leather one to keep changing any pressure spots. I used one of these with success for a tricky catcher, it's exceptionally light weight though I always put a proper headcollar over the top to lead in and out.

http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/turnout-headcollar.html
 
It is a leather headcollar, there's no way I'd turnout in it without it being breakaway by leather and it does fit, however it is padded so... Will work on the yard as he is brilliant to catch. Thanks,
 
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