Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC
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Spring/Summer 2016 - Vol. 3, No. 1
Here's the Rub By Cheryl L. Detamore, DVM You eagerly anticipate the riding season. Unfortunately, your excitement is overshadowed by your mount's persistent tail rubbing. Indeed, nothing can spoil your day faster than seeing your horse shove his rear against the fence and rub until he has literally ruffled his tail feathers. Although hard on fencing, rubbing is particularly damaging to the tail you've vigilantly groomed. So what can you do to put an end to tail rubbing? The answer lies largely in determining and treating the underlying cause of the behavior. Here are some common reasons for horses rubbing their tails, the clinical signs that lead to a diagnosis, and treatment tips. Pinworms Although numerous reasons cause tail rubbing in horses, pinworms are mentioned most. Unlike other gastrointestinal
parasites, pinworms are primarily an external irritant. Most prevalent in stabled horses, they spread rapidly between horses that are housed together. Adult pinworms inhabit the cecum and colon, but females migrate out of the anus to deposit their eggs on the surrounding perineal area. The eggs then adhere to the horse's rear end before randomly falling to the ground, contaminating pastures and feed sources. These eggs ultimately hatch into larvae, which are ingested and, once inside the body, mature into adult worms. Pinworm eggs contain an irritating substance that causes an intense pruritus, or itch, when they adhere to the horse's skin. The resulting rubbing is limited to the tail and rump. When the condition persists, affected horses eventually exhibit the characteristic "rat-tail" appearance, with broken hairs and matting.
Diagnosis is usually based on outward signs that respond to treatment. One way to detect pinworm eggs is to apply clear tape to the skin surrounding the anus, and examine the pulled-off tape for eggs. Your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions through microscopic examination. When pinworms are the culprit, ivermectin dewormer is the treatment of choice. To determine the appropriate dose, follow package directions as they apply to your horse's weight. One treatment is all that's necessary, provided a regular deworming schedule follows. Practice good stable management to prevent further spread of pinworms. Quarantine and deworm new arrivals. Muck stalls daily, and regularly pick up or harrow manure in pens, paddocks and pastures. Also separate animals that appear to have tail-rubbing issues. Continued on Page 4