My mare has had a cresty neck ever since I bought her. (Apparently she was obese before I came along) After talking to vets about it, we've all decided that the crest is not much of an issue.

However, today I noticed a part of her crest that causes me some concern. In the middle of her neck (along the hairline) she has a spot that is really squishy. The area is about 2+ inches wide. It is like this on both sides and extends across the top. Her crest is generally hard and this squishy spot is causing some major worry.

Should I be worried? I'm arranging to have the vet look at it hopefully this week. Does anyone know what this is/what it may cause? Treatment?

Thanks!

Sorry, I havn't come across this but I do agree that your vet should check it out. My first thought is a bug bite which has become infected. Are you in an area where there are ticks or chiggars? Have you noticed any oozy areas? On all of the cresty horses I've encountered, my gelding Scout being one of them, the top of the crest is always firm. I hope it's nothing serious. Please let us know what the vet says/does.

Thanks. We looked at it later and figured that it might be a bruise. She has a tendancy to push her hay out of the fence, and when she goes to reach it, she bumps her neck exactly on that spot. This happens about 1 or 2 times a day, so I guess thatt would cause a nasty little bruise. We're going to fix that little problem with the hay and are still going to check it out, but there are no bug bites or oozy areas and she doesn't seem irritated by it.

Thanks again for the help!

I never thought of bruising but it makes sense knowing what she does with the hay. I hope that's all it is!

Do you have any pics so that you can post, for me to see? When I first got my pony he was overwieght and he had a cresty neck but it went down with his weight.  Tiffany