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Discussion on "scraped" hocks in newborn colt
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Member:
Vthomas
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 9:40 am:
Our new colt has, since about day 2, a line of skin about 1/2" wide and 3 inches long, diagonal on both hocks, that appears to be "scraped" and/or weepy (but no fluids leaking--just trying to describe the look); he is now 2.5 wks old. This happened w/last year's colt, too. Part of the line is just scruffled hair, part of it looks like a scab and it keeps sluffing off--this area is hairless now. No lameness. I have insured we have lots of soft bedding (more than last year), so I feel we have ruled out that he is scraping himself on the rubber mats underneath (besides, the hairless part is not on the most portruding part). Our soil is soft; sandy mix, no rocks. Someone mentioned that it was thought by some that this is the site (evolutionary) of sweat glands. Does anyone know about this phenomena? Last year, it cleared up on our other foal and no lasting effect--but I don't remember how long his hocks were like this. This colt is very healthy. My 19 yr old stallion sometimes has the same look on his hocks, without the actualy hair loss. Any info would be appreciated. Sincerely, Vicky
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 10:49 am:
Vicky, I found the answer somewhere on this site a couple of years ago. If it's what I was looking at, it's a rub pattern created when the foal lies down. When he's standing, the bare area isn't on the protruding part of the hock, but when he lies down, the skin stretches and makes contact. On my baby, it just went away in a few months. Depth of bedding made a bit of difference, but the baby would lie down outside, too, so it seems just a matter of growing more mature hair and spending more time on its feet! Good luck, and have fun with the baby.
Jerre
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 10:52 am:
That is an interesting explanation. Sounds plausible. I was told it was from growing so fast, the skin was stretching. Either way, it isn't a problem and we don't need to worry about it. EO
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Member:
Vthomas
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 11:23 am:
Thanks--especially to reassure me not to worry about it. He does lay outside alot, you know: play, drink, sleep, play, drink, sleep....He is such a sweet colt and so much fun! Vicky
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