Tail hair falling out! Help!

[BabyDentist2021]

My mare’s tail has been falling out for a little while now and I feel like I’ve tried everything and she’s starting to get a thin/bald spot!!
She doesn’t appear to be rubbing it - the hairs are coming out by the root and don’t look broken. I can brush her tail bone gently with a body brush and a bunch of hairs will fall out.
The skin on her tailbone does appear to be a bit dry and flakey.
I’ve tried worming her again with Equimaxx.
I’ve tried a combination of Listerine and baby oil.
I’ve tried MTG.
I’ve tried Equiderma (only a little bit because I borrowed some from a friend but didn’t see any improvement after using it for a couple of applications so didn’t buy my own bottle).
I’ve tried Animax ointment (again, only for a couple of applications because I didn’t have much left and it requires a prescription).
It’s been going on for a few months now and we’ve moved stables in the midst of that and it’s not getting any better.
She’s not having any hair loss or skin issues anywhere else so I don’t think it’s anything systemic.
She’s in her stall during the day and out at night.
We live in Memphis, TN.

I’ve heard of fleas causing something like that and someone having success using Advantix for dogs? Has anyone else done/heard of that?

She’s due for shots and coggins soon so I’m planning on having the vet take a look but does anyone have any ideas of what I could try until then or any similar experiences?

[beowulf]

Has she had a fever recently? Have you tested for lyme? A fever will cause hair-loss, so figuring out what the fever was caused by…

I did not know this, but tail hair loss is a symptom of lyme sometimes. It was one of the few symptoms in my gelding, who tested very positive this spring.

Horses don’t tend to get fleas that I know of, they don’t care for horse blood.

[BabyDentist2021]

She’s not had a fever recently - I’ve taken her temp several times in the past month. But I’ll be sure to ask the vet about Lyme. Thanks!

[cheektwocheek]

Same thing starting happening to my gelding. Vet gave me a [h=1]Dermachlor Rinse![/h] I’ve never had any issues since.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

How much hair is falling out? My horse is losing mane and tail hair right now with shedding the summer coat and getting ready for winter. The best thing you can do is feed the hair growth from the inside… what are you feeding?

[4horses]

My mare rubbed her tail out due to biting insects. I would guess your horse is rubbing it and when you brush her tail, it comes loose.

[BabyDentist2021]

@cheektwocheek
Awesome! I’ll definitely look into getting some of that!! I’ve been formulating my next plan of attack and thinking some sort of antibiotic/antifungal shampoo/rinse or ointment and was hoping for some good product recommendations and success stories!

@Chestnut_Mare
It’s definitely more than just regular shedding and I’ve never seen anything like this from her. She gets grass hay, soaked alfalfa pellets, Triple Crown Complete, and as far as supplements she’s on Omega HorseShine, Farrier’s Formula Double Strength, ProBios, U-Gard, Stress Dex electrolytes, and Cosequin w/ MSM.
Her mane is as thick as ever and not falling out any more than usual and her coat is shiny and healthy looking so I really think it’s some sort of localized irritation/hypersensitivity or fungal/bacterial infection or insect bites.

[SonnysMom]

Pinworms? My horse probably had pinworms even though he had Ivermectin and then Powerpac all within a month. I used a tube of Ivermectin that I rubbed on the underside of his tail and in/around his anus. He stopped rubbing his tail and loosing tail hair.

If it is dry skin maybe try a medicated dandruff type shampoo.
I know some people swear by coconut oil rubbed into the dock.

[BabyDentist2021]

@4horses That’s definitely a possibility - her tail just doesn’t generally have that disheveled rubbed look when I go to brush it and the hairs fall out so I’m not certain that she has been rubbing it. She’s always been one to rub her tail and let me know when her udders are due for their routine baby wipe cleaning lol

@SonnysMom I’ve never tried using the wormed topically but I’ll look into trying that.

I’m thinking I may try washing it really well with a medicated shampoo or the Dermachlor Rinse that was recommended and maybe an antibacterial/antifungal ointment and some Swat on her tail until the vet comes out.
Fingers crossed that works!

Still open to more ideas/suggestions/experiences! Thank you all for your help!

[BabyDentist2021]

Has anyone used Lotrimin on their horses? Was thinking if it’s a fungus that might work.