My Appy, who already is lacking a tail is rubbing his off!!!  I already dewormed him last week and keep him on a regular deworming schedule. I show sheen his tail because he does tend to get dry skin. When I saw the small bald spot I tried the listerine/mouth wash theroy. I checked the tail for ticks, etc and nothing.

 Is there anything else I can do that will help?

~derby713

Ditto the above, a bath with medicated shampoo, with tea tree oil or antifungul. Put something on the rubbed places daily to keep the itch down. Again, a product with tea tree oil, antifulngul, or anti itch cream (human types work like those with benadryl in them). 

also ive heard putting mouthwash, like Listerine, helps.

i havent tried it yet, but my trainer told me about it

I have run into this problem frequently in the past. Although I don't believe there is any one miracle cure, but I definitely agree with whom ever posted the details of deworming, sheath cleaning, and a good scrubbing. I have heard multiple ideas, some of which are to use Gold Bond foot powder, after bathing the tail. But it is an everyday treatment. Other people have used stuff called Calm Coat, and other products anything with Tea Tree oil. But I have also heard of some stuff called Shaply's MTG. I have never used it, however one of my mares gets a mild case of sweet itch on her chest and shoulders so I am intending to try that this year. I have heard good things about it. My mothers Mustang mare gets little itchy patches on her face and body and she reponds very well to the MTG.

I also wonder if you could use some of the cooling spray that is on the market for humans for stings, bites, and rashes. I think I saw some sort of airesol spray for this purpose that could probably work very well I would think. However I have not tried any

My vets answer was to put my mare on steroids (dexamethazone) but steroids are so risky over prolonged use, and can cause founder in even the healthiest of horses so I opted out on that one.

But definitely make sure that it isn't a problem with worms etc. otherwise all other treatments will be futile. However if it is a skin issue or an allergic reaction to something like bugs try to use one of these products and definitely review things with your vet.

 My cousins trainer told her to get a cheap tube of ivermectin and rub that in to the base of the tail.  I tried that on my mare and it worked.  You rub it in, leave on for 24 hrs and then shampoo out.  Hope that helps.

horse and rider just ran a good article on tail care. They did it into two parts teh April and May issues.I'll see if I can find you teh link.