The skin of a horse ranges from 12-24% of the horses weight, depending on age. The hair provides mechanical protection and also serves as a filtering system and insulator. Shedding is a seasonal event and represents the loss of inactive hair as a new growth takes its place.
Horses can harbour two species of lice. They are the horse biting louse, and the horse sucking louse. Afflicted horses will show signs of itching by constantly rubbing and biting at affected areas. In a severe infestation, the horse can lose patches of hair. Infestations are more apt to occur during the winter when hair coats are long. Lice can be quickly eradicated with frequent grooming and washing.
The skin is highly important in thermal regulation, through sweating, however, secretions emptied by the sweat glands are attractive to insects and flies. The skin also offers protection against irradiation. Ultraviolet light is filtered by the coat, and absorbed by melanin granules in the epidermis and hair. When the skin is compromised, it can easily permeated by a variety of agents such as infectious bacteria and biting insects. Its ability to function properly can be compromised by both disease and injury.
The term for inflammation of the skin is dermatitis. Dermatitis can be produced by many agents such as external irritants, burns, allergens, and trauma, plus bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungalHorses can harbour two species of lice. They are the horse biting louse, and the horse sucking louse. Afflicted horses will show signs of itching by constantly rubbing and biting at affected areas. In a severe infestation, the horse can lose patches of hair. Infestations are more apt to occur during the winter when hair coats are long. Lice can be quickly eradicated with frequent grooming and washing infections. It also can be associated with other systemic diseases from which the horse might be suffering. The most common sign of dermatitis is some form of scratching as the horse rubs the affected body part against fences, walls, or posts. Next comes some swelling and redness, followed by raised or bumpy spots on the skin. As the problem progresses, there might be oozing, crusting, and scaling.
Rain scald,
is common in wet, humid climates and is produced by the same bacteria that
produces Mud Fever. The official name for the bacteria is Dermatophilus
congolensis. In domestic animals, the condition can affect horses, cattle,
sheep, and goats, but is rarely found in pigs, dogs, or cats. The bacteria
can live in dormancy for some time and become active when the skin is
compromised in some way, such as prolonged wetting by rain, high humidity,
high temperature, and attacks by biting insects. Barrier creams such help
in maintaining good skin condition.
Horses can harbour two species of lice. They are the horse biting louse, and the horse sucking louse. Afflicted horses will show signs of itching by constantly rubbing and biting at affected areas. In a severe infestation, the horse can lose patches of hair. Infestations are more apt to occur during the winter when hair coats are long. Lice can be quickly eradicated with frequent grooming and washing.
Horses can harbour two species of lice. They are the horse biting louse, and the horse sucking louse. Afflicted horses will show signs of itching by constantly rubbing and biting at affected areas. In a severe infestation, the horse can lose patches of hair. Infestations are more apt to occur during the winter when hair coats are long. Lice can be quickly eradicated with frequent grooming and washing.
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