Unfortunately, this practice may not completely protect your horse from mycotoxins, as some of them are so potent that the amount of mold required to produce dangerous amounts of some mycotoxins is so small as to be imperceptible to the naked eye. When frostbite does occur, it's likely to strike the ear tips. However, a stallion or gelding who has been sedated and subsequently can't retract his penis might be in danger of frostbite of the external genitalia. In addition, day-old foals, who don't have many fat stores, and ill horses suffering from conditions that cause shunting of blood away from extremities, are also more susceptible to frostbite of the limbs. Frostbite Explained Frostbite might be superficial, affecting only the outside layers of the skin that will show marked discoloration when healed, or it can be more serious, extending to deeper fascial layers.
Frostbite occurs when tissues become frozen and ice crystals form inside cell membranes.
This results in dehydration of tissue and cells, and damage to small blood vessels in the region affected. Ischemia, or lack of good blood supply, of the affected tissues leads to necrosis of those tissues. This is why frozen tissue typically turns black after it thaws. The thawing process cannot restore the integrity of the cells, so if frostbite is severe and the tissue dies, that is a permanent situation and the affected tissue will slough off and the area will scar over. Most cases of equine frostbite involve the ears.