Horse sheds out forelock every year

[Gwyneth]

I have a miniature horse who, starting in about August, sheds out 90% of his forelock. It slowly starts growing back in by around December, and has completely regrown by April.
I’ve had him for seven years and his forelock does this every year (and yes, its just the forelock. Not his mane).

It’s the weirdest thing and I’ve never come across it before. I’ve mentioned it to my vet and she just thinks its amusing but no cause for concern.

Has anyone else ever had a horse who does this? I’m just curious about the physiological reason behind it. For my mini he looks particularly silly when his forelock sheds out because it’s normally very thick and luxurious, and it sheds out to literally just a few scraggly hairs! And I find it particularly interesting that his mane doesn’t do the same thing.

Any thoughts?

[sheltoneb]

I had an American curly/Lusitano cross. He shed his entire mane every year in the fall. Apparently some American Curlies shed all their hair including mane, tail and forelock.

It freaked me out because I thought something was wrong. I ran into his old owner who let me know that was normal for him.

[2DogsFarm]

Can’t provide an answer, but if your vet is okay with it, you might have to live with the peculiarity.

My own Weirdo mini has no chestnuts or ergots.
Just tiny patches of white hair - on his otherwise plain bay w/minor roaning body - where they should be.