Can You Judge a Horse by His Coat?

A horse with a very dull coat, especially one that has patches of hair rubbed or missing may be infested with parasites. Pin worms will cause a horse to itch his tail, making it look very bushy at the top. Other internal parasites will cause horses to lose weight and have a dull coat. Horses suffer from a variety of external parasites and fungi. Some of the most common are mange, lice, ringworm, mites, chiggers, and rain scalds (also known as rain rot).

Poor coat condition can also be caused by a poor diet. The proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, and especially fat in the diet will show in the horse's coat.

The most serious condition that can be detected by a poor looking coat is Cushing's Disease. Cushing's Disease (or Cushing's Syndrome) is caused by a tumor at the base of the pituitary gland. Horse's affected with this disease do not shed out like they should. Their hair is very coarse, and will have a curl or wave to it. Other symptoms are high water intake and a pot-bellied appearance as the muscles along the top-line atrophy. It usually affects older horses, but can affect horses as young as eight years old. When diagnosed in the early stages, the symptoms can be alleviated with drugs, and the horse may have many useful years. However, the tumor will continue to grow, and eventually euthanasia will be the most humane option for the horse.

Next month I would like to share what Linda Tellington-Jones can tell by looking at a horse's coat.

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