Flakes on your horse: dry skin, moulting, or is there more to it?

Have you suddenly noticed flaky patches in your horse’s coat? The skin can change, particularly during the moulting season or as the seasons change. Sometimes it’s just a few loose flakes of skin, but flaking can also be accompanied by itching, scabs, bald patches or sensitive skin.

It is therefore advisable not only to look at the flakes themselves, but above all at the skin underneath and your horse’s behaviour.

In this blog, you can read about what might be causing flaky skin in horses, what to look out for, and how to gently care for their skin.

Why does my horse have dandruff?
Flaking skin in a horse can have various causes. The skin is constantly renewing itself, and in the process, old skin cells are shed. A small amount of flaking therefore does not necessarily indicate anything out of the ordinary.

For example, you may notice more dandruff if your horse:

is moulting;
grows a thicker winter coat;
has dry or sensitive skin;
a lot of sweat under the coat or a blanket;
has been wet or damp for a long time;
suffers from dirt and sebum build-up in a thick coat;
rubs or scratches a lot.
However, if the flaking persists or if you also notice itching, bald patches, scabs, sores or changes to the skin, it is advisable to have it investigated further.

Flakes during the moulting season
During the moulting season, there are many changes to the coat. Old hairs fall out and, amongst them, dandruff, dust and sebum may become visible.

Thorough brushing helps to remove loose hairs and dirt from the coat. Whilst grooming, make a point of checking the skin as well. Simply looking at the top of the coat is not enough.

Use your fingers to part the hair in various places and check the skin underneath. This often makes it easier to spot small patches.

Tip: if your horse has sensitive skin, avoid using harsh shampoos and do not wash your horse more often than necessary. Washing too frequently can disrupt the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Flaking and dry skin in horses
Dry skin in a horse can manifest as fine white flakes. The skin may look a little tight or sensitive, and the coat may feel less supple to the touch.

In a situation like this, look at the bigger picture. What does the rest of the skin look like? Is it itchy? Are there any scabs? Is the skin red or irritated? And are the flakes all over, or just in one specific place?

The latter can provide important information about what is going on.

Scales on a horse’s legs
Do you mainly notice flaking on the lower legs, for example between the white markings on a Friesian, Tinker or other horse with prominent white socks? If so, check those areas regularly.

A lot of wallpaper makes it harder to see the skin properly. What’s more, moisture can remain trapped between the fibres for longer.

Please note, amongst other things:

kicking with the legs, biting at the legs, rubbing, scabs, thickened skin, bald patches and sensitive skin.

Such symptoms can have various causes. If the symptoms persist or if you are unsure, it is advisable to have the cause assessed by a vet.

Can dandruff in a horse be caused by mites?
Dandruff can occur in horses that are susceptible to mites, but dandruff alone is not enough to confirm that a horse has mites.

Horses prone to mites may also display other signs, such as stamping, rubbing or biting at their legs. Horses with a lot of mane and tail are particularly susceptible to this.

As similar skin symptoms can have different causes, it is important not to rely solely on a single symptom.

Flakes, scabs and bald patches
Flaking is different from thick scabs or obvious bald patches. When several skin changes occur at the same time, this warrants extra attention.

For example, check whether:

whether the skin is dry or damp;
hair comes away easily;
there are scabs present;
the horse is clearly itchy;
a place gets bigger;
several horses develop similar skin changes.
Not only does this help you, but it also provides useful information should you need advice from a vet.

Can dandruff occur in a horse that is prone to fungal infections?
In cases of skin changes involving flaking, bald or round patches and changes to the coat, susceptibility to fungal infections may also be a factor. However, it is not always clear what the cause is based on appearance alone.

One skin lesion may look very similar to another.

You should therefore not simply use all sorts of different products at the same time if you are unsure of the situation. If in doubt, or if you notice rapidly spreading patches or clearly affected skin, it is advisable to seek a vet’s opinion.

Damp, mud and horses’ hooves in autumn
In autumn, a horse’s skin has to cope with different conditions. Rain, mud, a thicker coat and the use of rugs can cause the skin to remain warm or damp for longer.

That is why, particularly at this time of year, it is a good idea to check regularly under their coats and between their fur.

A horse may look magnificent from a distance, whilst small changes to the skin can still occur beneath its thick coat.

What can you do yourself if your horse has flaky or sensitive skin?
Start with a gentle and consistent grooming routine. Keep the skin clean, but avoid washing it unnecessarily often. Use products suitable for a horse’s sensitive skin and ensure that wet legs or a wet coat are allowed to dry properly.

Clean brushes and other grooming equipment regularly, and if your horse has skin problems, it is best not to mix brushes or rugs from different horses.

You should also check the areas where your horse is prone to problems every day.

At Paardenkriebels, I like to look at the bigger picture: external care and, where appropriate, internal support. Herbs are not a substitute for external skincare or for a vet’s examination and advice.

When should you consult a vet?
A few loose flakes with no other symptoms are not the same as skin that is clearly changing.

Contact your vet if, for example, your horse is experiencing severe itching or pain, if its skin becomes warm or swollen, if fluid or sores appear, if the affected areas are spreading rapidly, or if you are unable to determine the cause.

The sooner you know what’s going on, the more effectively you can look after your skin.

Look beyond the flakes
Flakes on your horse’s skin are primarily a sign that you should take a closer look at its skin. Sometimes they are associated with moulting or dry skin, but if there is also itching, scabs, bald patches or other behavioural changes, there may be more to it.

By checking regularly, spotting changes early on and caring for the skin gently, you’ll also get a better and better understanding of what’s normal for your horse.

With a horse that has sensitive skin, it’s not about using as many products as possible, but about identifying what the skin needs and tailoring the care routine accordingly.