shedding in patches?

Bumpkin · 05-01-2006, 04:45 PM

My boy is shedding his winter coat and when I saw him today I noticed a large bald patch on the left side of his back. The patch is about the size of my hand and the skin looks perfectly healthy. I found a website that said horses will sometimes shed in patches up to 10 inches in diameter and the hair will grow back within 3 weeks. Has anyone ever seen this before? I bought him last September so I have no idea if this is normal for him or not.

Ryle · 05-01-2006, 08:36 PM

Yes, this can be totally normal. However, you should watch for signs of intense itchiness, scabs or parasites in those areas just to be sure you aren't overlooking a problem.

Kaitsbliss · 05-04-2006, 09:54 AM

My 19 year old TB has been doing this. And its like on his hocks and leags (where its really fury). I am so glad someone else has the same problem. Well not glad just the fact that I am not alone one the world of balding! lol. I thought my horse was balding.

Blondehorse · 05-04-2006, 10:05 AM

Oh, good to know. My mare has some bald patches behind her right ear, and a small one lower on her neck.

Lindsayanne · 05-04-2006, 10:19 AM

Yeah, they can get pretty haggard looking this time of year.

Regal's got big chunks of fully shed spots and chunks of thicky furries. I think some of it has to do with the spots they can stratch themselves and places they can't reach.

Launa · 05-04-2006, 10:26 AM

Don't older horses have a tendancy to shed in patches? My 20yr old mare is even more so this year.

Kaitsbliss · 05-04-2006, 10:35 AM

I really don't care. I am just so glad Bliss is normal physically, mentally we still need help. lol. jk. YAHHHAHHAHA! I am going to do the happy dance when I get home. lol. I am at school now so...

God Bless Ya'll

Shotgun93 · 05-04-2006, 11:33 AM

It is normal, but some people make the mistake of not watching it meticulousy, and come to find out that the horse actually has ring worm, or something along those lines.

Watch and make sure that the skin underneath is healthy looking.

Bumpkin · 05-07-2006, 10:56 AM

Thanks everyone...I took a good look at the underlying skin today and it looks healthy with no scabs etc...I am glad to hear others have experienced this too!!

05-01-2006, 04:45 PM	#1
Bumpkin Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 31	shedding in patches? My boy is shedding his winter coat and when I saw him today I noticed a large bald patch on the left side of his back. The patch is about the size of my hand and the skin looks perfectly healthy. I found a website that said horses will sometimes shed in patches up to 10 inches in diameter and the hair will grow back within 3 weeks. Has anyone ever seen this before? I bought him last September so I have no idea if this is normal for him or not. __________________ "The world is best seen through the ears of a horse." author unknown

05-01-2006, 08:36 PM	#2
Ryle Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,462 Images: 1	Yes, this can be totally normal. However, you should watch for signs of intense itchiness, scabs or parasites in those areas just to be sure you aren't overlooking a problem. __________________ Cindy D. Registered Veterinary Technician Member American Assoc. of Equine Veterinary Technicians

05-04-2006, 09:54 AM	#3
Kaitsbliss Full Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 79 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 2	YAAAHHH I think my horse is normal! My 19 year old TB has been doing this. And its like on his hocks and leags (where its really fury). I am so glad someone else has the same problem. Well not glad just the fact that I am not alone one the world of balding! lol. I thought my horse was balding.

05-04-2006, 10:05 AM	#4
Blondehorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 394 Images: 58 Blog Entries: 6	Oh, good to know. My mare has some bald patches behind her right ear, and a small one lower on her neck. __________________ You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything

05-04-2006, 10:19 AM	#5
Lindsayanne Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 9,175 Images: 346	Yeah, they can get pretty haggard looking this time of year. Regal's got big chunks of fully shed spots and chunks of thicky furries. I think some of it has to do with the spots they can stratch themselves and places they can't reach. __________________ Resident Bashkir Curly Poster Child NE Prime Time Regal - 2006 ABCR National Champion Performance Horse Silver Red Ebony - AM He\|\|'s Bells Noble Debutante-YS Kawai - NW Ivy League * Purveyor of all things Saddle Pad *

05-04-2006, 10:26 AM	#6
Launa Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,413 Images: 643 Blog Entries: 87	Don't older horses have a tendancy to shed in patches? My 20yr old mare is even more so this year.

05-04-2006, 10:35 AM	#7
Kaitsbliss Full Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 79 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 2	Really don't care I really don't care. I am just so glad Bliss is normal physically, mentally we still need help. lol. jk. YAHHHAHHAHA! I am going to do the happy dance when I get home. lol. I am at school now so... God Bless Ya'll __________________ Built Ford Tough!

05-04-2006, 11:33 AM	#8
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,008 Images: 122	It is normal, but some people make the mistake of not watching it meticulousy, and come to find out that the horse actually has ring worm, or something along those lines. Watch and make sure that the skin underneath is healthy looking. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

05-07-2006, 10:56 AM	#9
Bumpkin Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 31	Thanks everyone...I took a good look at the underlying skin today and it looks healthy with no scabs etc...I am glad to hear others have experienced this too!! __________________ "The world is best seen through the ears of a horse." author unknown

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Patches!!!!	ItsAThought	Horse Chat	13	02-27-2006 10:43 AM
White Patches	Carab	Horse Health	13	11-12-2005 12:07 AM
Patches... how does he and I look?	ItsAThought	Critique My Horse	11	09-16-2005 11:13 AM
Dry patches	Brandi1985	Horse Health	4	09-09-2004 05:33 PM
Bald Patches	zkr_l	Horse Health	5	05-08-2003 09:27 AM