Ease the Itch to Stop Mane and Tail Rubbing in Horses

Anyone who has suffered from poison ivy, mosquito bites, or heat rash can sympathize with horses that have an itch, but no way to scratch. Especially in the hot-weather months, there are lots of things that can cause horses to rub their manes and tails against fences, stall surfaces, trees, or any other surface the horse can make contact with.

Tail rubbing can be due to pinworms, parasites that are easily controlled with commercial dewormers. Stallions and geldings may rub their tails because of discomfort from a dirty sheath. In horses of either sex, tail rubbing may signal the presence of ticks, other insect bites, or simply dirt and sweat that has accumulated around the anus or on the skin under the base of the tail.

Mane rubbing is often caused by insect bites, particularly from ticks that attach to the horse’s neck skin to feed on blood. They are hard to see, but easy to feel by running your fingers through the base of the mane. Even after the ticks are pulled out, an itchy sore may remain for a week or more. Black flies, stable flies, biting midges, and mosquitoes can also cause irritation and itching that lead to mane rubbing.

Braided manes and tails are required for some horse show classes, and a good braid job looks wonderful but takes time to achieve. For this reason, competitors with early classes may choose to braid the night before the show. Sensitive horses sometimes find that the tightly plaited hair makes them want to scratch the braids out during the night, leading to a disaster of broken mane and tail hairs on show day. Putting a “slinky” mane wrap on the horse after an evening braid job will keep the braids in better condition, and unbraiding as soon as possible after the class will keep your horse more comfortable.

For horses that are hypersensitive to insect bites, try using insect sprays and fly sheets to keep biting flies away. Stabling in the early morning and evening may help, as will ridding your property of standing water where mosquitoes breed. If these measures don’t help enough, ask your veterinarian whether an antihistamine or corticosteroid would keep your horse’s itching under control.