Hair on Horse's Face Thinning Around the Eyes

Many horses are particularly sensitve around the head area, and the skin is often fine around the eyes and ears. Thinning hair and even baldness around the eyes may not always be a cause for concern, but should always be investigated, as it may be a sign of an allergy or parasitic infection.

  1. Blocked Tear Ducts and Dust Allergies

    • Like many humans, horses can develop a sensitivity to dust. The main symptom of this is usually a cough, but the horse may also have streaming eyes and a dripping nose. If the horse is kept in a particularly dusty environment, it may also develop blocked tear ducts, which cause the tears to overflow into the eye. If a horse's eyes constantly drip, the hair below the eye may gradually thin and fall out, leaving a small bald patch. To treat the condition, remove your horse from the dusty environment, then consult a veterinarian who syringes the tear ducts with saline solution. Use a soothing ointment such as zinc and castor oil on the bald patches until the hair grows back.

    Age-Related Changes

    • As horses age, various physical changes take place. One of the most noticeable is the deepening of the hollow above the eye socket, giving the head a sunken appearance. At the same time, the horse starts to develop gray hairs in the eye socket and around the muzzle. Depending on the original color of the coat, these changes can look dramatic. The coat also starts to lose its gloss and smoothness, and the hairs stand more upright. The horse's skin may now be visible through the coat, giving the impression of thinned hair.

    Fungal and Parasitic Infections

    • Just like humans, horses are subject to dermatitis and other skin problems which can cause the hair to thin or fall out. The head is often affected, as it is the most sensitive area. Signs of a skin infection include pus, dandruff or flaky skin, and raised or reddened areas. The horse may also be very sensitive and object to having the infected area touched. It is difficult to treat skin infections without knowing the cause, so if the condition persists, ask your veterinarian to take a skin scraping for analysis.

    Allergies and Insect Bites

    • Sometimes a horse may get a direct fly bite on a sensitive area, such as the skin around the eyes. The resulting swelling causes irritation, and the horse may try to soothe it by rubbing its head against a tree or fence, causing thinning of the hair. Gray horses or horses with a lot of white on their faces can also be sensitive to the sun, developing a sunburn which causes spots of irritation. If you suspect your horse suffers from these conditions, use an equine fly mask to protect the head area. This also offers some protection against sunburn, but you should also apply a sunscreen to any exposed areas. Those made for babies are best, as they are mild.