Hair Follicle Growth Arrest in Austrian Icelandic Horses

In a study conducted in 2003, 20 out of 70 Icelandic horses in Austria experienced seasonal hair loss and scaling during winter, primarily affecting areas such as the ear base and neck, with minimal itching. The condition first appeared in November 2001 after the herd's relocation and resolved after the spring shedding period. Despite normal health and diet, histopathology revealed hair follicles entering a growth arrest phase. Blood tests showed slight lymphocytosis, but mineral and trace element levels were normal. Supplementing the horses' diet with vitamins, iodine, cobalt, and selenium successfully prevented hair follicle growth arrest in the following winter.