Archive for the ‘Skin, Coat & Hooves’ Category

Have you ever heard of a horse losing its hair? And if so, what are the causes and treatments? Have you ever run across it happening as a reaction to supplemental feed? Our horse is losing his hair and his vet hasn’t figured out why. DG, Wyoming
Dear DG,
I’m sure your vet is steering you down [...]

I’ve noticed when the weather turns warm every spring my horse tends to lose hair in a circular pattern on his face and neck. This slight balding is accompanied by severe itchiness on his stomach and chest area. I spoke with my vet and he is attributing this to a reaction from the Onchocerca parasite. [...]

I have a 13 yr. old thoroughbred with a chronic thrush problem in one front foot. I have tried the bleach/water mixture. A friend with horses says she puts Icthammol ointment on the hoof and covers it to draw out the thrush and dry it out. Is this a good remedy? LB, Nebraska
Dear [...]

I discovered that my draft horse has scratches tonight. I’ve been reading about different treatments, but thought I should ask around (you, my vet) about the best treatment before starting something. I have also read that you should clip the area short and keep it clean & dry during the healing time. Thank [...]

I am looking at a horse to buy that has white line disease. He was diagnosed 4 yrs ago. They have kept pads on him and kept him in a dry place. If I purchased him I would keep him in a paddock outside year around. Would this be safe for him? How easy [...]

I have a black horse whose coat has bleached out a bit and he will be showing within the next two months. I know most coat-darkening supplements carry paprika which is a banned item for showing purposes…my question is two-fold: (1) how long does the paprika product stay in the system? (i.e. could [...]

My horse is 15 years old and gets sweet itch every spring. Someone told me to add Flax seed meal to her diet. I’ve started that this winter. I’ve noticed a growth in her mane and tail but was wondering if it will help with the tail rubbing this spring. Thanks any [...]

You brought up the benefit of omega 3’s…If it is already in their feed, is it necessary to also have it in your fat supplement? How much is beneficial? There are studies that claim it can negatively affect their immune system if they are given too much, so how much is too much? Thank you. [...]

Another entry from Mark R. Baus, DVM, Grand Prix Equine, New York Metropolitan Area
My 12 year old mare has had three abscesses of the hoof in the last year. The vet noted on her most recent episode that “she has lots of separation of the white line of all 4 feet and I feel this is [...]

What do you recommend for horses who are prone (even with good preventive care) to rain rot? Rebecca
Dear Rebecca,
Rain rot, or dermatophilosis, is a frustrating skin condition because some horses just seem to get it each year no matter what you do. There are a number of reasons for this. First, Dermatophilus congolensis, the organism [...]