Why does my horse always rub her main and tail at the end of summer/start of autumn?

Question

Hi there my Welsh Mountain Pony Section A always finds something to rub her mane of at the end of summer towards the start of Autumn and the top of her tail and it is not sweet-itch and i don't think she would be allergic to flies. So when it comes to winter time i hog her mane of and it grows back lovely for show season the next year and then she rubs i off again and it does get annoying.!!!

Can anyone help me as to what it could be

Answer 1

I am volunteering for a stable at the moment and we have a horse that does the same all the time, I found using a humane puller on the main and cleaning/spraying her tail helped and now her mane and tail keep really nice for showing and she performs better in the hotter shows!

Answer 2

I would suggest it is sweet itch but since you have said it isnt i don't know what it could be.  Just re-check it isnt sweet itch...if it is really getting at your pony i would suggest getting the vet just to check it out.

Symptoms include severe pruritus [itching], hair loss, skin thickening and flaky dandruff. Exudative dermatitis [weeping sores, sometimes with a yellow crust of dried serum] may occur. Without attention sores can suffer secondary infection.

The top of the tail and the mane are most commonly affected. The neck, withers, hips, ears and forehead, and in more severe cases, the mid-line of the belly, the saddle area, the sides of the head, the sheath or udder and the legs may also suffer.

There is more information on http://www.sweet-itch.co.uk/

Answer 3

It could be worms, especially if she is rubbing her tail mostly...check your deworming program to make sure it is adequate for your area, and maybe have your vet run a fecal to see what worms she may have.