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Discussion on Bald patches everywhere
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Member:
Skye
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 3, 2005 - 6:29 pm:
A close friend has been exercising a 20 year old Arabian gelding that has bald patches on his neck and shoulders and on the insides of his hind legs These patches are totally bald but not flakey or scabby or bumpy. He has had these patches for as long as she has known him--10 years! However, when he went out on lease for several months or more, I'm not sure, the hair filled in. Everything else about him is normal--temp, appetitie, behavior. He's had skin scrapings, but that was years ago, and they revealed nothing. He's been pastured with other horses, none of whom develp this problem. The patches have increased in number over the past 10 years. He is a chestnut.
Anyone have any idea what might be going on? We suspect the owners aren't willing (maybe I should say able) to invest a lot of money in this.
Many thanks to anyone with some ideas.
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Friday, Mar 4, 2005 - 1:12 pm:
I would inquire as to what the leasees care & feed regimen was with this horse and turnout and such.
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Friday, Mar 4, 2005 - 1:14 pm:
oops, hit something.
anyways findout what the leasee's did different and where they kept the horse & compare. The answer should be in what they might have done different.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 6, 2005 - 9:44 am:
Hello Ellie,
I agree with Cheryl, purse aggresively feeds supplements and turn out times for a possible cause. There are no diseases that give this presentation with the possible exception of mineral and vitamin problems, but it would be rare for that to only cause the symptoms you describe.
DrO
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Member:
Skye
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 6, 2005 - 10:01 am:
Thank you, Dr. O and Cheryl. The woman who is so concerned is also my farrier (with no computer!), and she loves this horse. Turn-out time and supplements sound like interesting avenues to explore.
Are you thinking limited turnout might expose the horse to more allergens in the barn? Or he might be allergic to something in his current feed?
Many thanks,
Ellie
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 7, 2005 - 6:25 am:
Actually Ellie, I am clueless as to why the horse would have bald spots with healthy skin. Allergic reactions that effect the skin usually leave lesions (hives or blisters) and clinical signs (pruritis) in the skin. I am thinking more about the amount of sunlight the horse is exposed to but like already stated I do not know of any light related hairloss like you describe.
DrO
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Monday, Mar 7, 2005 - 6:03 pm:
the best thing to do is to make a side by side list of things the leasees did and amounts etc. and then put what your friend does on the other side. see what is different and see if you change to what they did if it makes any change.
hay type/ amount/times a day/ dusty?etc
grain /brand/amount/how often
treats type/how often
pasture/what is in it/ how long/often
stall/bedding/how long
supplements/ amount/how offten
water/container
grooming/how often/topicals used
blanketing/how often
patchy episodes/time of year/body parts
fighting with other horses? My horse looks like he was a test dummy at cosmetology school.....bald spots all over.heheh
does he rub on things
skin parasites? scrappings doesn't rule out lice
Usually light related reactions do not have hairloss
Sometimes horses on a lower quality feed develop brittle hair that breaks off easily when rubbed
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Member:
Skye
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Posted on Monday, Mar 7, 2005 - 7:45 pm:
This is a weird one, then, eh? I will pass on the info from both of you, Dr. O and Cheryl and see whether anything comes up.
Thanks to the both of you for your thoughts. They are much appreciated
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