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Horse Care and Comfort

Tail Rubbing Advice

By:

Angela P

Date:

2018-Mar-23 at 02:35PM

Hi Everyone!
So my mare rubs her tail quite a bit. On the fencing mostly, so she is breaking all the hairs around the top and it looks like a porcupine. She is turned out 24/7 and gets free choice hay, soaked hay cubes with vits & minerals to balance hay etc. Winter is just finishing up here in New England, but this goes on pretty much all year. Would love to get a decent looking tail on her!
Thanks in advance!
Angela
p.s. I test for worms 3 times per year and only de-worm if eggs are found.

Miriam (Holland&Germany) 2018-Mar-26 at 04:13PM

Hi Angela,
Welcome to the Forum and the Uni!
From my experience this tail rubbing is worm-related.
I'd suggest you speak with your vet and ask for a perscribtion for a dewormer that is specific for this kind of itch.
There are some lotions that help after the cause has been removed, ask your local tackshop or maybe better your vet...
Recently I read an article about mare's intimate parts, that need claening like a gelding's sheath. I found it at Ethical Horsemanship Association, you might still find the article on their Facebook page. There might be a reason for tail rubbing in that area.
If you feel insecure, again ask the vet! Some mares are intolerant when it comes to being touched under their tail.... Stay safe!
You can do quite some desenitization in that area, I remember a mare that didn't want her temperature taken. Step by step we worked on it and the problem was solved for the life of the mare. Trust must be earned...
Hope this helps,
Miriam

Debbie Roberts Loucks, USA 2018-Mar-31 at 07:28PM

Probably this is NOT the problem but...Has your horse had a rabies vaccination? I just heard a Purina Horse Health vet on the Horses In the Morning podcast describe rabies. First your horse has signs of a low level colic that becomes in a short few days, aggressive and just not well, neurologic. Sometimes there may be a wound that becomes itchy (for which there is nothing to relieve it) which is the virus traveling to the brain. Its an effective annual vaccine - strongly suggested!

Angela P 2018-Apr-04 at 06:34PM

Thanks for he advice Miriam and Debbie! My mare is great for handling around the tail area and has had rabies vax. I've been cleaning more in her intimate area and she seems to like that. Talked to Horseman's Lab and he gave me instructions on how to check for pinworms and even send in a sample using a popsicle stick and vaseline. VERY interesting!
Will see how it goes!

Debbie Roberts Loucks, USA 2018-Apr-07 at 08:09PM