Tail rubbing question

[Chanda]

My horse has been occasionally rubbing his tail. It just messes up the top tail hairs but doesn’t show any skin or anything.

He will do it when he is outside in his mini-pasture about once a week. He has been completely wormed and I keep him and his tail pretty clean. I groom him very well every day and about once a month I give him a water bath. I try to get the tail bone very clean but I don’t use soap just warm water. I also do not brush his tail except the very top part that he rubs to straighten the hair out again.

Is there any reason that you can think of for him doing this or might it be something that I am doing? Help!

[Chanda]

My horse has been occasionally rubbing his tail. It just messes up the top tail hairs but doesn’t show any skin or anything.

He will do it when he is outside in his mini-pasture about once a week. He has been completely wormed and I keep him and his tail pretty clean. I groom him very well every day and about once a month I give him a water bath. I try to get the tail bone very clean but I don’t use soap just warm water. I also do not brush his tail except the very top part that he rubs to straighten the hair out again.

Is there any reason that you can think of for him doing this or might it be something that I am doing? Help!

[Janet]

Sme horses have an allergic reaction to “no see ums” (tiny inscects). They bite the stomach, but they make the tail itch. Putting lots of fly repellant on the stomach helps. The “no see ums” are most active at dawn and dusk.

[Nickelodian]

When my mare is in season she will get a very itchy butt and start to rub. I rub some aloe vera gel on there to cool the itch. Sometimes when its really bad, I will use some benadryl cream.

Assuming its not worms, I would curry is butt and see if he really likes it. If he does, I would think that he is just itchy and you should use some aloe vera.

[OnyxThePony]

Since you’re going to do the dirty deed anyway… Warm water is fine, or add some Excalibur (it’s cheap anyway). Soap products are the wrong pH so can iritate if not rinsed properly. Cotton can irritate too, better off to use your (sorry!!) bare hands, or thin latex gloves (which can also irritate, but hey if you feel better about it).
To get the bean out, you have to literally stick a finger up his pee-hole (sorry if that is rude… I do mean the urethra but if that is confusing, yes, it is the little hole in the penis itself), and run it around the lip (yes there is little shelf or lip or rim in there) to feel the bean. Some people manage to get two fingers in and crush it. Some can just pop it out, if it’s small. Whatever works for you, and whatever your horse allows you to do!

[spaz]

My horse has an itchy tail. You scratch it and he moves it all around…kinda cute. Any more suggestions though? He is on a worming schedule too. I think that maybe it just feels good, like a back rub?

[Amag]

After checking the worms, and medical stuff, try listerine (mouthwash) it acts as a disinfectant and worked quite well on my friends horse.

[OnyxThePony]

Pull a feacal (sp?) I mean take some of his poo to the vet to have it examined. Even with a regular worming schedual, he may still have something in him, and the test will show exaclty what, and at what stage. It’s very cheap (maybe $10?).
Otherwise, check his tailbone, right down at the end of the tailbone, see if he has those little lice things. Just brushing won’t get those out.
Also, make sure his sheath/her teats and vulva and the anus are all clean.
Let us know what you find out and how you stop it!

[Chanda]

Oh no! I had not thought of his sheath. I really need to clean it but I have been procrastinating. I have been picking off the flakes instead of doing a real cleaning. I haven’t cleaned a sheath in many many years and I am a little afraid to do it wrong. I also can’t get him to drop when there is water around. I should give it a try and see if that helps the tail rubing though.

As for the worming, he is totally clean!

[Cactuskate]

Also note if he sweats between his hind legs while working. If so be sure to damp wipe to remove any sweat that might dry and become irritating. My horse rubs like that if his tummy itches too. Guess that is what happens when you can’t “reach” all those itchy places.

[LaurieB]

When my mare was rubbing her tail last summer, it turned out that her udder needed to be cleaned, so I would second the thought about sheath cleaning.

[Chanda]

Cool guys, I am going to do it (clean his sheath, that is). Any suggestions? I don’t have any soap to use, is there any household product I can use or can I go soapless (I would prefer soapless)? Should I just use sheet cotton in a bucket of warm water and fish around until I get all of the chunkies? Also, I know there is a ‘bean’ right around the urethra part, how do I get that out?

[kcr]

I’ve been through all these steps too - yes, keep his tail clean, yes, keep his sheath clean (use Excalibur or Ivory soap - rinse thoroughly). I have just started using a product called MTG (Mane Tail Groom) by Shapley - it smells to high heaven of coal tar, but it seems to be working. A lot of friends have recommended it for tail rubbing. Leaves the mane and tail sort of greasy looking, but it can be washed out before shows. I get the stuff from my farrier. Not sure where it can be found retail.

Kate