Q:I have a 10-year-old mare being treated for pinworms. She incessantly rubs her tail. She also uses the wall of her stall or anything else available to lean on while defecating. Are these signs related? Could they be behavioral?
A:Part of the diagnostic process should include a thorough veterinary exam to rule out neurological abnormalities, skin problems, or other parasitic diseases. A tail injury or cauda equina syndrome (damage or inflammation to the end of the spinal cord and nerve roots) could potentially manifest into persistent itching and inability to raise the tail for defecation. 
If this is a seasonal occurrence, consider some pruritic (itchy) rule-outs such as folliculitis, allergic dermatitis, or insect sensitivity...
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