Dry, Itchy, Flakey Tail Bone - at my wit's end

[LuvRedHeads]

My horse has a continually dry, itchy, flakey tail bone, that he rubs the hair out of.

I combed the COTH Forum archives for suggestions, and have tried most of them, to no avail. Is there anything left to try? Horse is kept on a regular worming protocol and doesn’t appear to have any other health issues. Horse’s diet includes a high amount of Omega 3s - he’s on 2 cups per day whole flax, plus Vitamin E, an otherwise has a very shiny, healthy haircoat.

Things I have tried:

• Listerine & baby oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Mineral Oil
• MTG
• Shampooing with Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo

It isn’t seasonal and it isn’t insect-related. It’s the same condition, whether it is 15 degrees and snowing, or 70 degrees and sunny. Horse is regularly heavily groomed and curried 5+ days per week.

Help. What else is there to try?

[EVneo]

I might try listerine or another anti-fungal solution. Let me guess, it’s a bay who shows all the dandruff

[Simkie]

Have you had the vet out for a skin scraping? He might have some sort of skin parasite or treatable skin condition, but taking a very close look at what’s happening is probably a good next step. Sounds like you’ve done a good job of hitting the typical solutions, so time to pull out the big guns and bring in the vet.

[cayuse]

My mini has the same problem. His dermatologist (I’m lucky to live near a vet dermatolgist as the mini has many skin issues) has me use DOUXO Seborrhea Mousse on his mane and tail and it cleared him right up. I do not know if it is a prescription med or not, I have a feeling it might be. And it says for dogs and cats only, so you may want to check into that part of it. But I thought I would mention it as it was the only thing that soothed Peanut’s skin. He itched and flaked year round, too.

ETA: Just checked the bottle and it says for sale through licensed vet only

[CanteringCarrot]

How’s his sheath/bean situation?

[EmmerB]

I spray Apple Cider Vinegar on the itching and rub it in.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Have you tried Head and Shoulders shampoo? You might give that a try. But agree that unless you know exactly what skin condition you’re dealing with, that continued treatment might be throwing away more money until its been nailed down.

[ReSomething]

The vet suggested Selsun Blue shampoo, long years ago. It’s still sold but I don’t know if I would apply it without rubber gloves.

[LuvRedHeads]

@cayuse

My mini has the same problem. His dermatologist (I’m lucky to live near a vet dermatolgist as the mini has many skin issues) has me use DOUXO Seborrhea Mousse on his mane and tail and it cleared him right up. I do not know if it is a prescription med or not, I have a feeling it might be. And it says for dogs and cats only, so you may want to check into that part of it. But I thought I would mention it as it was the only thing that soothed Peanut’s skin. He itched and flaked year round, too.

ETA: Just checked the bottle and it says for sale through licensed vet only

Huh, interesting! I went online to get some more info and it looks like it’s sold through some pet retailers like Chewy.com, but maybe there is a non-prescription version? Or maybe they require a prescription at checkout?

[Scribbler]

I would also consider diet. Maybe add flax?

[LuvRedHeads]

@Scribbler

I would also consider diet. Maybe add flax?

I guess I could add flax, but more than 2 cups per day sounds like an awful lot :lol:

[longlanefarm]

I would have vet take a skin scraping to determine the cause but in the meantime try Equiderma Lotion.

[BlackPearlz]

Is he also on a commercial grain? I tried everything mentioned above and my horse didn’t stop itching herself raw until I took her off grain. She’s allergic to corn, soy or wheat apparently. I’m going to get around to doing the allergy testing soon to narrow it down, but she’s hasn’t itched at all in 9 mos since taking her off grain. Thank goodness!!!

[Scribbler]

@LuvRedHeads

I guess I could add flax, but more than 2 cups per day sounds like an awful lot :lol:

sorry missed that, my bad reading comprehension!

[cayuse]

@LuvRedHeads

Huh, interesting! I went online to get some more info and it looks like it’s sold through some pet retailers like Chewy.com, but maybe there is a non-prescription version? Or maybe they require a prescription at checkout?

Must be different variations of it. I just looked up the one on Chewy.com and it is different than the stuff I have. Mine doesn’t have chlohexadine (spelled that wrong?) in it.
Allivet.com seems to have it. It is listed with phytosphingosine HCL 0.2% on the bottle. Whatever that is

[ryansgirl]

Has his sheath been cleaned lately?

[LaurieB]

@ryansgirl

Has his sheath been cleaned lately?

That’s what I was going to say. :yes:

[LuvRedHeads]

@LaurieB

That’s what I was going to say. :yes:

I think that’s my next avenue to explore. I have only had him a few months. Not sure the last time he was done.

[Sansena]

Define your ‘regular deworming program’ including active ingredients and intervals in which you administer dewormer, please. Ivermectin, despite what the label says, won’t treat all worms, i.e.: tapes (which are itchy) and encysted strongyles… both of which will not show up on fecal egg counts. You need moxidectin/ praziquantel (Quest Plus) and Equimax (Praziquantel/ Ivermectin) to address these.

And when you do clean his sheath, be sure you go after the bean, not just the smegma that layers up in goopy clumps around the sheath cavity and shaft. Have a COMPETENT vet perform this if you’re at all concerned. Recently saw a post wherein a vet dx’d a tumor at the head of a gelding’s sheath. Nope… it was just THE most enormous bean I’ve seen in decades. The size of two golf balls glued together.

[Angela_Freda]

@Sansena

Define your ‘regular deworming program’ including active ingredients and intervals in which you administer dewormer, please. Ivermectin, despite what the label says, won’t treat all worms, i.e.: tapes (which are itchy) and encysted strongyles… both of which will not show up on fecal egg counts. You need moxidectin/ praziquantel (Quest Plus) and Equimax (Praziquantel/ Ivermectin) to address these.

And when you do clean his sheath, be sure you go after the bean, not just the smegma that layers up in goopy clumps around the sheath cavity and shaft. Have a COMPETENT vet perform this if you’re at all concerned. Recently saw a post wherein a vet dx’d a tumor at the head of a gelding’s sheath. Nope… it was just THE most enormous bean I’ve seen in decades. The size of two golf balls glued together.

:eek::eek:

for maintenance, once you’ve determined there is no medical issue… I like Healthy Hair Care for mane beds and docks