Horses & Seasonal Alopecia

The Facts

• Alopecia is a disease that affects a horse's hair follicles and leads to hair loss. This can involve destruction of or damage to the hair follicle.

Types

• Alopecia can be congenital or hereditary, acquired or seasonal. Congenital/hereditary alopecia is a hereditary illness that is passed down from a horse's parents and is obvious from birth. Acquired alopecia progresses with age.

Seasonal Alopecia

• Seasonal alopecia is hair loss that comes about in the spring. This type of alopecia is found in horses and dogs, and is not permanent.

Causes

• Seasonal alopecia is caused by seasonal factors like bacteria, allergies and pollens. Seasonal alopecia almost always occurs in the spring, when large patches of the horse's hair fall out to reveal bare skin.

Diagnosis

• Seasonal alopecia in horses is diagnosed through blood analysis, medical history and examination. Some factors to be considered before diagnosis are the horse's breed, the duration of the lesions and the manner of hair shedding. Skin biopsies may also be used.

Treatments

• Treatments for any alopecia depend on the cause of the reaction and a horse's medical history. Seasonal alopecia does not require any treatment, as the hair usually grows back on its own.