The last question I asked had such great response, I'm going to throw another one at ya. I have looked back in the archives first, but didn't find exactly my problem: 2 year old mare rubbing the hair on the top of her tail off. As I recall, she did the same thing last year around this time, it lasted for about a month, or so. Last year I tried listerine, suggested by my vet, because of it's antibacterial qualities, also used a medicated shampoo. I'm not convinced these worked all that great, because the problem persisted for a few more weeks. This spring has been very wet so far, although last year was very dry. She does tend to stay out of wet weather on her on accord, so I don't think it's rain rot. The skin isn't broken, or even showing, and it's not flaky or scabby. She is regularly wormed with ivermec, just last month infact. I've been told it's "range rot"(whatever that is??), boredom, or related to her heats. What do you all think??? Thanks in advance, Leslie in Missouri.

-- Leslie Homer (jhomer@train.missouri.org), May 02, 2002

Answers

Boredom, perhaps, lice perhaps.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

That's usually a sign deworming is needed. If you're only using an Ivermectin product each time you deworm, it could be ineffective. If you rotate products from different classifications, it'll solve your problem. Talk to your vet as to which dewormers are needed in which months. It's different around the country.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

Could also be allergies

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

Leslie,

Here's a site that can help answer questions about tail rubbing and many other equine questions.

http://www.horsevet.bizland.com/dermatology.html

This site can direct you to numerous equine vet sites and anything else you need to know about horses!

http://www.haynet.net/

Hope that helps!

-- Cindy (ilovecajun@aol.com), May 02, 2002.

Take a fresh manure sample into your vet. He can do a worm check and tell you what you need. I agree with rogo. You need to rotate those wormers. I have a rotation I follow and works well. Here it is:

January: Safegaurd or Panacure

March: Ivermectin

May: Strongid P

July: Quest

September: Safegaurd or Panacure

November: Ivermectin

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), May 02, 2002.

Ticks can cause this problem. They will crawl up the tail hair and attach, usually but not always, near the tip. Even if they fall off it can cause itching. To keep them off your horse put baby oil on her tail hair (they can't crawl up it).

It could just be warm weather related. I've heard of trying diaper rash ointment or aloe vera to get rid of the itch.

-- Stacia in OK (OneClassyCowgirl@aol.com), May 02, 2002.

Do you get midges or no-see-ums in your area? They come out in the cool early morning and the evening and look like little gnats. They bite horses and other livestock as well as people and often cause alergic reactions. The horse will rub it's tail and main and frequently rubs the hair off and makes the skin raw. Not all horses are affected with hypersensitivity to the bites and others take several seasons to develope the problem. The condition is known as sweet itch.

The best cure for this is to protect the horse from the midges. Bring the horse in at the times when the midges are out. Mosquito netting can be fitted over windows and open doors--anywhere the midges can gain access. If stabling is not an option then I'd advise getting a protective sheet for your horse. Fly sheets aren't good enough as the holes are too big and don't completely block access. There are a couple of companies that make sheets that have elastick arm, leg, and head holes and encompas the entire girth. They also come with face masks. To my knowledge they run about $100 but last several years. Even though they look flimsy I've heard from a couple of people that they hold up quite well and repairs are easily made. If your horse is indeed suffering from sweet itch it will probably get worse as the years go by. The sheet will really help her.

Benzyl benzuate can be used to sooth affected areas. Fly repellant may also help but won't completely eliminate bites.

-- Erika (misserika129@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.