Winter hair rubbing saddle pad area advice?

[horses99]

In the summer I have had no issues and I’ve had this in the past with another horse and now my current boy! I have had saddle checked and flocked and fit is fine. However the pad rubs at the back on his long hair in certain areas (he has a blanket clip) His reins sometimes also rub on a patch on his neck so think it might be his skin.

Soon his summer coat shall come through so I’m sure the issues will go away on their own but any ideas to help prevent this? Or to make it not as bad? Or to help the hair/ skin recover. It is not inflamed or red etc just vert short hair almost bald can take photos if this helps. Seen others with this issue online when I looked but not much in the way of helping the problem! TIA for your help in advance!

 

[sport horse]

It happens to a lot of horses at this time of year - due to coat beginning to change?

 

[sbloom]

I would look at diet, amino acids are often inadequate and, with the coat in it's "dead" phase at this time of year rubs are much more common. Forageplus have a great information site (parallel to their own feed site) which has good stuff on amino acids, they also have good supplements and can advise on overall diet.

You may be able to reduce the rubbing at the back of the saddle as it usually goes with a "wagging" from the saddle being a little wide for the horse when the horse is at its narrowest, see if your fitter can help.