Commonly prescribed anti-itching medications include corticosteroids and essential fatty acids. A program that stresses preventive control of parasites in the horse’s environment—including insect control and regular deworming programs—can help eliminate or reduce some causes of itching. Why is my horse rubbing his fur off? Generalized itching and scratching may result Read more…
4-6 inches. Start at either the withers or poll (near shoulders or behind ears) and grab a small section of hair. Gently tease out the shorter hairs until you have just a few of the longer hairs remaining. Most people consider 4-6 inches to be the “appropriate” show-length. How short Read more…
A leg might swing out to the side or under the body; a joint might overflex, or a foot scuff or drag. If he trips, an ataxic horse may be slow to correct himself and potentially fall. His trunk, neck or both might sway. How do you tell if your Read more…
$40-$50 per. ‘You get paid per horse, so if it takes you four hours to braid one mane, you’re not going to hold many accounts or make much money. ‘ Braiders typically make $40-$50 per mane and $25-$30 per tail, depending on the quality of braids and the show. How Read more…
America’s Horse Daily, a publication of the American Quarter Horse Association, also recommends putting a satin-lined hood over your horse’s head and neck to prevent mane rubbing. The hood can be used both at home and at shows. Why is my horse rubbing his mane and tail? Mane rubbing is Read more…
Horses are mostly affected between March – November when the biting insects are most active. Sweet itch can affect all breeds and types of horses, ponies and donkeys and can be genetic, meaning some horses are at an increased risk of developing the condition. Is sweet itch seasonal? Typically, sweet Read more…
Sometimes short manes look better than long ones on a particular horse. Some horses don’t grow an attractive mane and look better with shaved. The effect is found in men who only have a wisp of hair around their heads, so they cut all the hair. The same goes for Read more…
Mane and tail biting is most common in foals and yearlings and may be due to a mineral imbalance causing pica. Mane and tail biting can lead to excessive hair ingestion resulting in trichobezors (hair balls) which can cause impaction colic. Why do horses chew each others manes? Mutual grooming Read more…
Stress and/or fever can also cause hair loss (telogen effluvium). An important cause of hair coat abnormalities in older horses is pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing’s disease). What would make a horse’s hair fall out? Hair loss in the horse can be caused by something simple, such as environment Read more…
While we hate the idea of our horses being cold, it’s dangerous to overblanket. If your horse begins to sweat under his blanket, he can overheat or, if wet hair traps the moisture against his body for too long, he could get chilled. Thankfully, it’s easy to tell if a Read more…