Why is my horse's tail head bald and sore?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse's tail head is bald and sore, sweet itch is one of the most common reasons, especially in fly season. It can also be caused by rubbing, skin irritation from insects, dirty or damp skin, or less commonly another skin problem. You can't tell the exact cause from the hair loss alone, but you can check a few useful things at home and decide what to do next.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the rubbing is worse in the evening, near muck heaps, after turnout, or when flies are active.

2. Look closely at the tail head for broken hair, scabs, redness, small sores, swelling or areas that feel warm.

3. Check whether your horse is rubbing the tail, swishing more than usual, stamping, or seeming unsettled in fly areas.

4. Feel the skin gently for signs of soreness, thickened skin, or dampness under mud, sweat or dirt.

5. Look for signs of biting insects, including irritation on the dock, base of mane, belly, or face as well as the tail head.

6. Think about recent changes such as new turnout, warmer weather, different bedding, new grooming products, or more sweating during exercise.

7. Check whether the rest of the coat looks normal or whether there are other bald patches, flaky skin, or areas your horse is rubbing elsewhere.

Common Causes

Sweet itch is a common cause in fly season. Horses with sweet itch often itch intensely where midges and flies can reach, and the tail head is a typical sore spot.

Simple fly irritation can also lead to rubbing and hair loss, even without full sweet itch. Some horses react strongly to midges, horseflies or other biting insects.

Skin irritation from sweat, mud, dirt, or repeated rubbing can make the area sore and bald too. In some cases, there may be a secondary skin infection or another skin condition that needs a closer look.

What To Do

Keep a note of when the rubbing happens and whether it gets better or worse in certain places or at certain times of day. That can help you spot a fly-related pattern.

Improve routine fly management where you can. Try to reduce exposure at peak fly times, keep the tail head clean and dry, and check turnout areas for obvious fly pressure.

Handle the area gently and avoid harsh grooming if the skin is already sore. If the hair loss is from rubbing, repeated rough brushing can make it worse.

If the skin is dirty, sweaty or damp, a careful wash with a suitable horse wash may help with hygiene, then make sure the area is dried well afterwards.

If the problem keeps returning, spreading, or your horse is clearly uncomfortable, it makes sense to speak to your vet for advice on what is behind the irritation and how best to manage it.

Products That May Help

For horses with fly-season irritation or sweet itch-style rubbing, a summer care routine can be useful as part of day-to-day management.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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