I have a 8 year old OTTB who recently (over the course of about 7 days) started itching and rubbing his mane, tail, face and neck really badly, to the point of removing large patches of hair. He is also rubbing the underside of his face raw, and right above his stifles as well. He has rubbed his mane so badly that there are quarter sized bald patches from his withers up to the crest of his neck, and the bald patches are very crusty with dried serum. I typically groom him 4+ times per week, and up until about a week ago, I thought his winter coat was looking nice! Quite shiny with no apparent issues. He is a typical thin-skinned TB, hates to be brushed even with the softest of brushes, but now he is practically euphoric when I groom the areas he has rubbed raw. The skin underneath the areas he has rubbed raw (with the exception of the crest of his neck) looks healthy enough, but I’m very alarmed at how much hair he has removed in a few short days, especially since he has NEVER rubbed or itched any part of his body since I’ve owned him (3 years), not even his tail which seems to be quite common. As of two days ago, when I run my hands lightly over his coat, I occasionally come across a small scab that feels like an individual rain rot scab, but it’s not rain rot. I’m wondering if these scabs are the catalyst that creates rubbing, maybe some type of parasite/bug area?
He is not clipped, and typically alternates between a light sheet indoors and a medium weight high neck turnout when he’s outside, which hasn’t been that much this winter due to crazy NY weather. None of his barn mates are showing any signs of skin problems, and he is turned out with other horses.
He currently eats a few quarts of soaked alfalfa cubes daily, plus 4 lbs. oats, 1 cup freshly ground flax, and free choice timothy/grass hay. He was on SMZ’s a couple of weeks ago for a small infection on his leg due to a cut, but didn’t show any signs of skin issues while on them (he has been on them once before as well, with no issues). I recently started him on Probios as well.
The vet came out and looked at him, and recommended a dose of ivermectin which I gave him, in addition to lice/mite powder applied topically, but did not do any skin scrapings. It’s too cold to bathe currently, but I plan to as soon as the weather warms slightly. I’ve gone over his body with a fine tooth comb and a flashlight to try to spot any lice or eggs, but haven’t found anything. Because I haven’t seen any signs of lice or eggs anywhere, I’m concerned that something else is bothering him! Has anyone dealt with lice or mites that were invisible in spite of careful scrutiny? Pouring lice powder on his ravaged skin also seems risky, considering the warning labels on the bottle instructing to “remove any clothing the powder touches immediately”, but the vet did not seem too concerned when I brought it up. He’s healthy and well cared for, so it also seems odd that he would be susceptible to lice or mites.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!
