Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Biting at Upper Front Limbs, Forearms or Chest
Summary
This frequently occurs as a result of skin irritation due to a wound, insect hypersensitivity or allergies. Stable flies cause skin irritation often resulting in hair loss and crusting, especially on the chest. Bots flies lay their eggs in these areas too, causing skin irritation.
In rare cases, this behavior is part of a behavioral syndrome that result in self-trauma or self-mutilation. As with other stereotypical behavior, this is most common in horses that are housed alone and with little exercise. Horses affected by these syndromes can bite viciously at themselves, causing severe wounding.
In rare cases, this behavior is part of a behavioral syndrome that result in self-trauma or self-mutilation. As with other stereotypical behavior, this is most common in horses that are housed alone and with little exercise. Horses affected by these syndromes can bite viciously at themselves, causing severe wounding.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the behavior seems extreme, or the horse seems to be in distress.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If this seems mild or occasional and the horse seems normal otherwise.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to the affected areas and the environment. Could this behavior be caused by insects, allergies or any other environmental cause?What does the affected area look like? Is there a wound, is it growing in size, draining, swollen, scaling or scabbing or painful? Are there bumps? Do you notice other behavioral abnormalities that suggest a primary behavioral problem?
Share your findings and concerns with your vet.
What Not To Do
Do not use harsh chemicals to treat your horse. These products may aggravate itchiness and lead to greater injury.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
They will assess the horse's general health and carefully examine the area and the behavior in order to determine the cause. Treatment will involve treating and alleviating the underlying cause of the irritation. In primary behavioral disorders, changes in management and protection of the injured area may be needed.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- When did you first notice the behavior?
- Are there white specks on the hair of the forearms (bot eggs)?
- Is there a wound in the area?
- Are flies bothering the horse?
- Have there been large numbers of flies?
- Is there any drainage?
- Do you notice many small skin bumps over the body (hives)?
- Do you notice other behavioral changes?
- Do you see any swelling or any other abnormality?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
