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  Discussion on Hairy horse
Author Message
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 9:00 pm:

Hi Dr.O I have an 17 yo arab gelding that is very late shedding the last 2 years, his coat right now is good enough for the middle of winter. The good news for now is it has been abnormally cold here so for now he is comfortable. Question is is there anything other than cushings that causes a horse not to shed completely? He is a very easy keeper that has foundered in the past. He had a very cresty neck which I have eliminated with diet however he is still slightly overweight. He has fat deposits on rump (sounds like ems) he is highly energetic when I ride, not depressed at all, good appetite, normal urination and drinking, plays in pasture with younger gelding and can easily beat him in a race. He just don't meet cushings to me except this very hairy coat, is there anything else physically that causes a horse not to shed? He is dewormed every 2 mos. Do worms cause non shedding? Would power packing help maybe? My other 2 horses an 8 and 24 yo are slick and shiny. Thanks for any help
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:27 am:

Was she under lights this winter and now not, in other words did the amount of light she was under shorten up? Is there a reason to suspect parasitisim, have you had a fecal checked? It seems unlikely parasites would be a cause in a horse otherwise so healthy but Cushings often starts this way.
DrO
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 10:16 am:

Thanks Dr.O. no he wasn't under lights at all. Is there anyway to control cushings hair other than pergolide or clipping? Is their a cheaper drug to try? I have never body clipped and don't even own a clippers, he is rather high strung and I doubt he would stand for it any way. Just wondering as far as lights go it has been very overcast and dreary, not much sun at all this mo. could that make a difference in some? I have noticed quite a few of our cows and calves are still quite hairy while some are slick and shiny. Thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 9:06 am:

With the cows, just the normal variation in hair loss Diane. Considering this is the only problem you have and taking your concerns into account, the cheapest therapy here would be a good shot of sedative and a new set of clippers and a little advice from someone knowledgable. It also would be the most effective.
DrO
Member:
Rose15

Posted on Monday, Jan 16, 2006 - 8:50 pm:

Dr.O...I am looking at a 13 year old gelding to purchase. I have just one question, he is about 50 lbs underweight, is quiet but responds nicely when he is asked to move out at the lope. His hair coat has an unusual pattern(we are in a cold climate) the hair on his head is thick and long while the rest of his body has what I would say is normal hair growth. In my pre purchase exam I was wondering if a blood profile would explain the unusual pattern of hair growth?
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Monday, Jan 16, 2006 - 9:43 pm:

Hello Rose,
You could ask if the horse wears a blanket, before resorting to blood tests. Your description sounds pretty typical of a horse wearing a blanket in a cold climate. I might be more inclined to investigate the lack of weight and what type of diet this guy is getting.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2006 - 10:07 am:

Hello Rose,
you need to start your own discussion rather than interrupt Diane's. A good place for this might be either the article on prepurchase exam or chronic weight loss both found under the Care Topic.
DrO
Member:
Rose15

Posted on Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 - 4:57 pm:

Susan....thanks for the thought about being blanketed. I checked with the owner and she said
they did not blanket the horse but he was inside at night and outside during the day. When I went back to see the horse the second time, they had done some clipping and he looked so much better.
We are having a pre purchase exam done that includes a blood profile. We'll keep our fingers
crossed while we wait for the results.
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