Have you ever walked into a barn only to discover that your horse was apparently rubbing his tail all night long? Tail rubbing can quickly cause major damage to a tail that can take a long time to regrow and restore. Horses typically rub their tails for a few common reasons. If you identify the right one, you can treat your horse and have him comfortable and back to normal quickly.

Pin Worms

Pin worms are a frequent cause of tail rubbing in horses. Female worms lay eggs under the tail, which causes your horse to itch. You typically can’t see the pinworms yourself, but your vet can test for their presence. Making sure that your horse is dewormed regularly can help to prevent pinworms and can help rid your horse of pinworm infestations.

Sheath or Udder Irritation

If your horse’s sheath or udder is irritated, he may be trying to scratch it while in his stall, rubbing his tail in the process. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your horse’s sheath or udder, this is a good first step to pinpointing the reason for your horse’s tail rubbing. After performing a thorough cleaning, you can use mild baby wipes for daily touch-up cleanings.

Tick Bites

If you live in an area with ticks, it’s very possible that one has bitten your horse either on, under, or near his tail and he is rubbing his tail in reaction. Carefully examine your horse’s tail area for any ticks or bites. If you find an embedded tick, pull it out gently and slowly, being sure to remove the head as well. If the tick has been embedded for 24 hours or more, you may want to call your vet to have your horse tested for Lyme disease (if it is present in your area).

Soap Residue

Leftover soap residue from bathing can irritate your horse’s tail area and cause tail rubbing. If you've recently bathed your horse, hose him off and watch to see if any soap residue washes out. Use minimal soap on your horse’s tail area when you bathe him, and be sure to always wash it out thoroughly.

Allergic Reaction

In some cases, tail rubbing can be the result of an allergic reaction. If you've found no other causes for the tail rubbing, examine your horse’s environment for any changes that could potentially cause a reaction. Moving your horse to another pasture, changing boarding barns, putting him on a new feed or hay, or even using new grooming products can all potentially cause allergic reactions.

Tail rubbing can be caused by a number of issues. If you can’t pinpoint the reason for your horse’s tail rubbing, a visit from your vet might help solve the mystery.

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Original Source: How to Deal with Tail Rubbing