Tail Itch

[SSage]

Hi Everyone!
It appears one of our horses is rubbing his tail on the fence...I also saw the "neighbour" horse nipping at another horses tail..hmmmm

What can be done about this? I was told to apply a Listerine/Baby Oil mix. We just recently dewormed him. Any ideas?

Thanks!!

[Showjumper]

Have you heard of sweet itch? This is generally caused by humid temperatures (not always!), and horses tend to develop it under their manes or by their tails. You'll find that if they have sweet itch, they'll rub to relieve the itch. This is bad in show horses as they can damage their tails and won't win as much - tragic for the owners. :P

Or it could be mange? This would cause itching.

I expect that other horse was chewing the other one's tail either out of sheer naughtiness or as a part of mutual grooming.

I'll look up sweet itch tonight and post again tomorrow! :D

[Outrider]

Worms can cause a horse to do this as well. Has this horse been wormed recently or at all regularly?

[Gracie]

I'm not sure if "Tail Gaurd" is the right name for the product but you can get a product that just goes on the top of tail so the horse cannot rub it's tail! It's great! I think it would work really good for a situation like this! good luck! ;)

[Showjumper]

If there isn't anything physically wrong with him that neds treating, a tail guard would be a good prevention. It isn't a cure, so if he does have sweet itch, or mites or something like that, if won't get rid of it - cure first and then safeguard! :) Good Luck

[SSage]

Hi!! Yes, we deworm "regularly". More frequently in the summer (as we are in Canada). What do you all consider adequate deworming schedule? Does climate determine the frequency? (hotter, more frequent??)

We were also told that this may be due to his sheath needing to be cleaned....what do you all think of that?? We have never done this. Also been told it could be a boredom thing.

He does have a very long thick tail. The neighbor horse is quite naughty. If he really was chewing his tail, I don't think he would stand for it for too long anyways, so that is probably not the issue here!!!

Tail guards, never heard of them...I'll look around for them next time we are at the tack store.

Thanks again everyone! Appreciate all your responses! :)

[Outrider]

I usually worm every 90 days. I don't worm any more than that in hotter weather, and I'm in Texas. There is also something called Strongoid C that is a worming additive that you add to the feed on a daily basis. I don't use it, I just use Zemectrin.

You might have a vet check him for mites. I've never heard of a horse doing this because of his sheath, and I don't clean my horse's sheath ever. Good luck and Happy Trails!

[Wally]

If there are no midges or mozzies about treat for lice.

[SSage]

What are those!!??

Hi Outrider! Yes, we use Zemectrin as well. Just wondering with the snow and cold over the winter if deworming needs to be done as frequently. We're doing it about every 2 months anyways.

I think I can rule out lice/mites as it is chilly here. Not a big problem here with any sort of animal.

Thanks again guys, you are the best!!!

[Showjumper]

I've been told you shouldn't use the same wormer over and over again - finish the packet then use a different brand, as worms can become immune if you use the same stuff the whole time.

Tail guards are usually leather or synthetic, cover the top of the tail and fasten either with buckles or velcro. They're generally used for traveliing as they're quicker to put on than a tail bandage, and they can be attached to a rug to help keep them in place - good if you're in a cold climate! :)

[SSage]

Just to let you all know, this formula seems to be working, and have talked to others here who have had success with this treatment as well. Could be a coincidence too....but it is worth a try!!

[floppy]

my friends horse had the same problem with sweet itch and was consitently rudding its tail and also it lost hair on its lower part of its mane and so she used the baby oil mix and that help...but then a herbalist <i think>suggested/made a cream for her to use and it worked too

[Clj369z]

I have great luck with the baby oil listerine mix and do use it on my mare's mane also.