Page 833 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• The condition varies in severity from occasional rubbing with some broken mane and tail

hairs to almost complete loss of the mane and tail (Figure 18.9). Initially the horse or
VetBooks.ir pony has patches where the hair has obviously been rubbed. This may progress to bald
patches or weeping sores.

• Lesions occur most commonly on the face, forelock, poll, mane, neck, withers, rump, tail

head and dock. Some animals experience irritation along the ventral midline especially
on the soft skin in front of the udder or sheath.

• Secondary bacterial infection can develop.
• With time, the repeated trauma causes thickening and ridging of the skin at the base of

the mane, especially near the withers (Figure 18.10).

• Some ponies are so bothered by the condition that their behaviour becomes erratic and
unpredictable. They can be miserable and bad-tempered, swishing their tails and kicking

their bellies.