Very Common
Less Common
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Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Tail Hair Loss, Broken Hairs at Base
Summary
It takes about two years for a horse's tail hairs to grow full-length. The tail is vital for swatting flies. Thus, the loss of tail hair is undesirable for reasons beyond mere cosmetic appearance.
Broken hairs at the tail base usually indicate that a horse has been rubbing its tail head. This is commonly associated with insect irritation and hypersensitivity. Pinworm infestation also causes irritation to the skin around the anus. There may be increasing incidence of Pinworm infestation as resistance to parasite control compounds increased. Irritated, dirty sheaths can cause geldings to rub their tail heads.
Similarly, mares that have accumulations of material around the udder, or smegma accumulation in the clitoral fossa within the vulva can also engage in this behavior. Very rarely, the hair shafts spontaneously break from nutritional or toxic causes.
Broken hairs at the tail base usually indicate that a horse has been rubbing its tail head. This is commonly associated with insect irritation and hypersensitivity. Pinworm infestation also causes irritation to the skin around the anus. There may be increasing incidence of Pinworm infestation as resistance to parasite control compounds increased. Irritated, dirty sheaths can cause geldings to rub their tail heads.
Similarly, mares that have accumulations of material around the udder, or smegma accumulation in the clitoral fossa within the vulva can also engage in this behavior. Very rarely, the hair shafts spontaneously break from nutritional or toxic causes.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment
your role
What To Do
Inspect the mane carefully for evidence of similar hair loss there. Evaluate the facility for evidence of rubbing. Consider your parasite management program and whether insect irritation could be a contributing cause. Check the vulva and udder areas in mares. Assess the sheath in geldings. Share your findings and concerns with your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet can assess your overall management and the horse's general health, and help you manage many of the predisposing causes. Diagnostics may be run for parasites, including pinworms. In some cases, additional bloodwork and diagnostics may be necessary.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Are flies bothering the horse?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- What is your parasite control program?
- Do you notice many small skin bumps over the body (hives)?
- Do you notice skin lesions elsewhere?
- Are you seeing hair loss involving the mane?
- 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.
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)
Less Common
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health