Why does my horse have bald patches on the lower legs?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Bald patches on the lower legs are often seen with mud fever, especially if the skin has been wet, muddy or irritated for a while. They can also happen from rubbing, clipping, skin sensitivity or repeated washing. You may be able to spot the cause by looking at the skin closely, but it’s not always possible to tell for sure at home.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the bald patches appeared after turnout in mud, long grass, wet bedding or repeated washing.

2. Look for scabs, crusting, redness, heat, swelling or broken skin around the hair loss.

3. Feel whether the lower legs are sore, puffy or warmer than usual.

4. Check if the hair loss is in one small rubbed area or in several patches on both legs.

5. Notice whether your horse is stamping, fussing when touched, or seems uncomfortable when you clean the area.

6. Think about anything new, such as boots, bandages, grooming, clipping or a change in turnout conditions.

7. Look at the skin between the heels and around the pasterns, where mud fever often starts.

8. Check for discharge, a smell, or skin that looks cracked or damp rather than just bare.

Common Causes

Mud fever is one of the most common reasons for bald patches on the lower legs. The skin can become inflamed, scabby and then lose hair as it heals or keeps getting irritated.

Rubbing from boots, bandages or a poorly fitting rug can also leave bald areas, especially if the same spot keeps getting friction.

Minor skin irritation from wet ground, washing, clippers or sensitive skin may cause patchy hair loss too, even without obvious scabs.

Less commonly, a bacterial or fungal skin problem may be involved, particularly if the skin is sore, moist or not improving with basic care.

What To Do

Keep the area clean and dry, and avoid scrubbing hard or picking at scabs. If the legs are muddy, let the dirt soften first and then clean gently.

Try to reduce repeated wetting if you can, especially in muddy fields or around soaked bedding. Dry the legs well after washing or turnout where possible.

Check tack, boots and bandages for rubbing, and pause anything that seems to make the patches worse.

Take a few clear photos so you can monitor whether the skin is improving, spreading or becoming more inflamed.

If the skin looks sore, cracked or keeps coming back, it’s sensible to get proper advice rather than just waiting it out.

Products That May Help

When bald patches are linked with muddy turnout, lower-leg hygiene or routine skin cleaning, a simple care routine can be helpful as part of day-to-day management.

Hoof, Leg & Mud Care

Item added to your cart