Why is my horse losing mane hair and tail hair in summer?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is losing mane hair and tail hair in summer, sweet itch is one of the most common reasons. Fly irritation, rubbing, and skin damage from scratching can also cause thinning or broken hair, so it’s worth checking the skin and the pattern of hair loss before deciding what to do next.

Things To Check

1. Look at where the hair loss is happening. Sweet itch often affects the mane, tail head, dock, face and sometimes the belly or ears.

2. Check whether your horse is rubbing on fences, stable walls, gates or trees, as this can break hair and worsen hair loss.

3. Feel the skin for heat, thickening, soreness or scabs, and look for broken skin or areas that seem very itchy.

4. Notice when the rubbing is worst, such as around dawn and dusk, after turnout, or on warm still days when flies are active.

5. Watch for tail swishing, stamping, head shaking or frequent neck rubbing, as these often go with summer irritation.

6. Check for lice or other skin issues if the irritation is not clearly seasonal, especially if the coat looks poor elsewhere too.

7. Think about any recent changes in turnout, bedding, grooming products, fly control routine or rug use.

Common Causes

Sweet itch is the most common cause in summer. It’s a reaction to biting midges and other flies, and it often leads to intense itching, rubbing and hair loss along the mane and tail.

Fly irritation without full sweet itch can also make a horse rub at the mane or tail, especially if the horse is sensitive to bites or spending more time outside in peak fly season.

Mechanical rubbing is another common cause. If your horse is itchy or restless, the hair may be rubbed out on field fences, stable fittings or tack areas.

Skin irritation or infection can sometimes develop after scratching or rubbing, which may make the hair loss look worse and the skin feel sore.

Less commonly, other skin or coat problems may be involved, particularly if the hair loss is not limited to summer or the area looks unusual in other ways.

What To Do

Start by reducing the chance of your horse rubbing. Check turnout areas, stable surfaces and any places where they lean or scratch, and try to make those areas less easy to rub against.

Keep a simple note of when the itching happens and which areas are affected. That can help you spot a seasonal pattern and work out whether flies seem to be the trigger.

Use calm, consistent grooming and keep the skin clean and dry, but avoid overdoing it if the skin is sore. If the mane or tail head is already inflamed, gentle handling is usually kinder than heavy brushing.

Review turnout timing and fly exposure. Many owners find it helpful to manage risk more carefully at peak biting times and in the areas where flies are most active.

If the hair loss is getting worse, the skin is broken, or the horse seems very uncomfortable, it’s sensible to seek veterinary advice so the cause can be properly assessed.

Products That May Help

If your horse is struggling with summer itching and rubbing, a few practical fly-season care items may help support your routine alongside other management steps.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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