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My 8 yo gelding, Yaled, is rubbing the top of his tail. He began this
behavior in the spring, and while he hasn't rubbed it raw or anything, he's
breaking the hair shafts and making his pretty tail look ratty. He is
itchy all down the length of the tailbone, and will sometimes bend around
and chew his tail, too (yes, he's very flexible!)
He is dewormed regularly (every 6 to 8 weeks) and was on Strongid C for
much of the spring and summer. (discontinued due to expense, not because I
didn't like it). No evidence of parasites (pinworms, lice, etc) --- he is
the picture of health with a shiny coat and good appetite. He is turned
out to pasture with a run-in shed and a young and playful companion horse,
and is regularly exercised (goes without saying, right? He IS an endurance
horse! =3D } ) He has hay in front of him for most of the day and sparse
pasture to pick at.
The skin underneath the hair of his tail looks a little dry and flakey,
but otherwise looks healthy. He is rinsed down with straight water after
every hard workout. I work for an equine vet who suggested that some
horses rub their tails when they need their sheath cleaned --- any support
of this theory? (I tried cleaning his sheath last week, but didn't have
enough acepromazine to get him to drop. Stubborn pony! This is the same
stallion-wannabe who runs up to me in the pasture, all talky ---- and drops
just cuz he's happy to see me. Go figure!) I am planning to have a go at
it again after this weekend. By the way, his sheath was cleaned in the
spring when his teeth were floated, and he still rubbed his tail after that.
Any ideas, or experience with this? Is there something topical I can use
to relieve the itchiness? I don't think he does it out of boredom....he is
truly itchy. =20
Shannon W. & Yaled (Khomytt's tail doesn't itch, mom,
why does mine?)
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