Posted 2015-08-04 6:25 PM Subject: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Idaho
I have a 12 year old miniture horse who has always been plump. And tons of mane and tail. He had been foundered before I got him at age 7. Ive always kept his managed on his weight but he has always been an easy keeper. This spring i noticed his tail was dramatically thinner. Thought maybe he ripped some out or something. This summer he has been ribby. Not too thin but definitely lighter than he is normally. No changes in feed. Thisnlate summer i noticed his forelock and mane are now much thinner from his normal fluffy pony mane. His coat is good not hair loss there. Anyone have any ideas what might be going on?
Posted 2015-08-05 8:53 AM Subject: RE: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Expert
Posts: 1482 Location: on my horse
sounds like he's got some kind of nutritional deficit that's causing him to lose mane n tail and drop weight. how are his teeth? also has the manufacturer of your feed changed? Has his environment changed at all as well?
Posted 2015-08-05 12:56 PM Subject: RE: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Idaho
We had his teeth checked over a year ago for the first time. No work needed done. Vet said he would probably never need floated because of the way he grinds. No changes in feed or environment.
Posted 2015-08-05 1:38 PM Subject: RE: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
My mini has been losing a lot of mane and tail hair lately as well. After further looking at the roots, I noticed that I could pull the hair out in chunks with flakey skin. I then washed with an anti fungal shampoo and pulled all the hair out that I could. After it dried I put coconut oil in a syringed and doused her mane/tail. Been helping a ton! I also put my mini on a little bit of Forco per day. When I got her she had that pot belly and spiney back. It has made a tremendous difference.
Posted 2015-08-07 2:16 PM Subject: RE: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Idaho
He is getting daily Forco and i have now put him on a senior feed. I could give him a good bath but havent noticed any flakey skin. His coat looks good, no hair loss there. He is on a good grass/ alfalfa mix hay and otherwise dry lotted because of his founder. He did this spring get a little too long on his feet and it seemed his appetite was low because his feet hurt and he laid down much of the time. His feet are since better and he was up grazing and eating more but still no weight gain. I may have to do bloodwork....
Posted 2015-08-07 3:14 PM Subject: RE: Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
Expert
Posts: 1432 Location: Never in one place long
TSlashO - 2015-08-07 2:16 PM
He is getting daily Forco and i have now put him on a senior feed. I could give him a good bath but havent noticed any flakey skin. His coat looks good, no hair loss there. He is on a good grass/ alfalfa mix hay and otherwise dry lotted because of his founder. He did this spring get a little too long on his feet and it seemed his appetite was low because his feet hurt and he laid down much of the time. His feet are since better and he was up grazing and eating more but still no weight gain. I may have to do bloodwork....
How long has he been on Forco??
My friend is having issues with two of her horses losing weight and looking terrible, one is always FAT too! I also heard of quite a few other people who normally have plumb horses having trouble keeping weight on them! I wonder what is going on. Could it be the flies this year?? They've been terrible.
Mini losing mane and tail, dropping weight.
