{"id":10492,"date":"2026-08-15T11:15:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T09:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paardenkriebels.nl\/?p=10492"},"modified":"2026-08-28T11:18:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T09:18:43","slug":"from-a-slight-itch-to-a-bald-patch-when-should-you-take-action-if-your-horse-is-itchy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paardenkriebels.nl\/en\/van-kriebel-tot-kale-plek-wanneer-moet-je-ingrijpen-bij-jeuk-bij-je-paard\/","title":{"rendered":"From itching to bald patches: when should you take action if your horse is itchy?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve been there: you\u2019re happily grooming your horse when suddenly you spot something you hadn\u2019t noticed before. A small bald patch in the coat. Or perhaps there\u2019s clearly less hair in a particular spot.<\/p>\n

Your first thought is probably: How did my horse get this?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A bald patch on your horse can be quite a shock at first. However, hair loss does not necessarily mean that there is anything serious wrong. There are various possible causes, and sometimes it is enough simply to take a close look at the patch and keep an eye on any changes.<\/p>\n

In other cases, a patch may keep reappearing, become larger, or your horse may clearly seem to be suffering from itching or discomfort. In such cases, it is advisable to have the patch examined by a vet.<\/p>\n

In this article, we set out a number of possible causes of bald patches<\/a> and hair loss in horses<\/strong> listed out for you.<\/p>\n

Important:<\/strong> This blog provides general information and is not a substitute for advice, examination or a diagnosis from a vet. If you are in any doubt, or if your pet has persistent or serious symptoms, or if a lesion changes rapidly or spreads, it is advisable to contact your vet.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A bald patch: take a good look first<\/h2>\n

When you spot a bald patch, it\u2019s tempting to immediately start trying all sorts of remedies. However, it\u2019s often better to take a close look first at exactly what you\u2019re seeing.<\/p>\n

What does the patch look like? Is the skin clear, or can you see, for example, flaky patches or scabs? Is it a neat, round patch, or is it irregular in shape? And perhaps most importantly: How does your horse behave?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does he rub himself a lot? Does he scratch certain areas? Or does he seem to be completely fine?<\/p>\n

The location of the bald patch can also provide relevant information. For example, is it situated exactly where a blanket, halter or other piece of equipment comes into contact with the coat?<\/p>\n

If necessary, take a photo of the area. If you take another photo later, it will be easier to see whether the area or the surrounding skin and coat have changed.<\/p>\n

Is the spot still there, has it changed, or are you concerned about it? If so, ask your vet for advice.<\/p>\n

1. Friction caused by a blanket, halter or harness<\/h2>\n

In some cases, friction may play a role in localised hair loss.<\/p>\n

A blanket, halter or harness comes into contact with the coat and skin in various places. If you notice hair loss in an area where the equipment regularly comes into contact with the horse, it is therefore a good idea to check the fit as well.<\/p>\n

Check regularly to ensure that the equipment still fits properly. Horses\u2019 condition and coat can change over the course of the year, meaning that something which fitted well previously may not fit as well later on.<\/p>\n

Do you keep noticing hair loss in the same spot? If so, check whether there might be any friction. If the hair loss persists or if you also notice any changes to the skin, ask your vet for advice.<\/p>\n

2. Your horse rubs or scratches a lot<\/h2>\n

If a horse rubs or scratches itself regularly, this may be accompanied by damage to the coat and localised hair loss.<\/p>\n

You might see him running along a fence with his neck, rubbing his tail against a tree, or trying in some other way to reach a particular spot.<\/p>\n

So do pay close attention to your horse\u2019s behaviour. Where does he scratch? When does he do it? And how often?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is important to bear in mind that the bald patch you see may be the result of the rubbing, whilst the cause of the rubbing may lie elsewhere.<\/p>\n

If your horse is rubbing itself a lot or more frequently than usual, or if you notice any other changes to its skin or behaviour, it is advisable to seek advice from your vet.<\/p>\n

3. Insects may play a role<\/h2>\n

There are often lots of insects around horses, particularly during the warmer months. Some horses seem to react very little to this, whilst others tend to rub, scratch or bite more frequently during this period.<\/p>\n

If a horse rubs or scratches itself frequently, this can lead to damage to the coat and the development of bald patches.<\/p>\n

Have you noticed that your horse rubs or scratches more at certain times of the year? If so, it may be useful to keep a record of when this behaviour occurs and any changes you notice in the skin and coat.<\/p>\n

If your horse continues to experience severe itching or discomfort, if skin changes develop, or if the symptoms get worse, please contact your vet.<\/p>\n

4. Parasites as a possible factor<\/h2>\n

Parasites are also among the possible factors that may be investigated in connection with changes to the skin and coat. Skin and coat problems may, for example, include itching, flaking, changes to the skin or hair loss.<\/p>\n

However, the same applies here as with many other possible causes: A bald patch doesn\u2019t automatically tell you exactly what\u2019s going on<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Various problems may look similar on the surface. It is therefore unwise to make a diagnosis yourself based solely on the appearance of a spot.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure about what you\u2019re seeing, or if the symptoms persist or get worse, it\u2019s a good idea to consult your vet.<\/p>\n

5. A fungal infection can also be investigated<\/h2>\n

A fungal infection is also one of the possible causes that should be investigated in the event of changes to the skin and coat.<\/p>\n

With certain skin conditions, for example, round or irregular patches of hair loss, flaking or scabs may appear. However, it is not possible to determine the cause based on appearance alone.<\/p>\n

It is therefore wise not to jump to the conclusion that a bald patch is caused by a fungus.<\/p>\n

Do you notice that the patches are spreading, that more patches are appearing, or that the skin changes are persisting? If so, please contact your vet for an assessment.<\/p>\n

6. Is it just moulting?<\/h2>\n

And then, of course, there\u2019s the annual shedding<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

During the moulting season, a horse can sometimes look a bit patchy. For example, one area may be further along in shedding the old coat than another.<\/p>\n

As a result, the coat may look a little patchy for a while.<\/p>\n

However, it is not always easy for an owner to tell the difference between normal changes during the moulting season and actual hair loss.<\/p>\n

Have you noticed any obvious bald patches, changes to the skin or an unusually high level of itching or discomfort? If so, keep a close eye on how things develop and, if in doubt, contact your vet.<\/p>\n

7. Also bear in mind personal care products<\/h2>\n

We use all sorts of products to look after our horses, such as shampoo, sprays, insect repellents and other grooming products.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, changes to the skin or coat become apparent after using a new grooming product. This does not necessarily mean that the product is the cause, but it can be useful to bear in mind which products you have used recently.<\/p>\n

If possible, make a note of which product you used, when you applied it and when you first noticed the change.<\/p>\n

If you have a skin problem, it\u2019s best not to just mix and match all sorts of different new products. This can make it harder to keep track of any changes.<\/p>\n

If the symptoms persist, get worse or you\u2019re unsure about what you\u2019re seeing, ask your vet for advice.<\/p>\n

What can you do yourself if your horse has a bald patch?<\/h2>\n

Above all, the most important thing is: look, observe and keep track of changes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For example, you can:<\/p>\n