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
Skin is Dry or Flaky, Anywhere on Body
Summary
Dandruff or flaky skin (either in localized patches or widespread), can result from a variety of causes including poor nutrition, allergies, insects, or even an undiagnosed low-grade illness. The most important thing to know is that dandruff is usually caused by some underlying disorder of the skin, often allergy. Because of that, it is important to think about other conditions that might be affecting the horse.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If the problem seems severe, or involves a large area.
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Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- If the problem seems very mild and limited to a small area.
your role
What To Do
Often, dandruff can be improved with symptomatic treatments (meaning that you solve this problem without definitively determining the cause), by adding certain oils to your horse's diet or treatment with anti-seborrheic (dandruff) shampoos. However, if the dandruff persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other illness, you will want to contact your vet.What Not To Do
Do not leave shampoo residues on the skin, as it may worsen dandruff.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
Your vet will consider the horse's general health and the presence of underlying skin disorders, especially allergy, before simply treating for dandruff. Additional diagnostics like skin biopsy may be required to determine the inciting cause. Only with a definitive diagnosis of what underlies the dandruff can the more stubborn cases be treated effectively.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Where, specifically is the skin problem located?
- Does the horse's general health seem good to you otherwise?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- Has anything changed in the horse's environment, such as feed, bedding, or housing?
- What is the horse currently being fed?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
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
Rare
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)
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
