What to Do for a Pony Losing Hair

Hair loss in ponies is not always a health issue. Some horses develop bare patches when shedding the winter or summer hair coats, and the hair grows back as the new seasonal coat grows in. There are some skin infections, however, that result in hair loss. You may need to consult your veterinarian to find out exactly what your horse has if the symptoms are not discussed here or the hair loss is not clearing up.

  1. Dermatitis

    • If your pony has come in contact with a particular chemical, he may develop contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis may cause red bumps and blisters as well as hair loss. To deal with the problem in the short term, wash the area with warm water (no soap) until thoroughly rinsed to remove the chemical from the skin. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment if there is also a skin infection. In order to find out what is causing the dermatitis in the first place, take away all items that could be causing the dermatitis (such as saddle pads and washing detergent). Reintroduce the possible items one at a time after the dermatitis has cleared up. If there is a reaction, remove that material from all possible contact with your horse.

    Rain Scald

    • Rain scald, or rain rot, is a bacterial infection that results in pus clumping together bunches of hair. These bunches can grow rather large if a horse has long hair or if the rain scald if left untended. To get rid of the bacteria, you will need to soak the affected areas with Betadine or a similar antiseptic, then pick off the bunches of hair (these often are slightly raised above the unaffected hair). You may also have to clip the areas where the rain scalds seem prevalent. Keep your horse in a dry area until the rain scald has healed.

    Ringworm

    • When the fungal infection ringworm appears, your horse will develop small, circular patches of hair loss that have a ring of red at the edges. Ringworm is very contagious, even between horses and humans, and all equipment that has touched an affected horse should be washed. Ringworm usually clears up on its own after a month or longer, but you can help by clipping the hair around the area and washing with Betadine.