Ectoparasites

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

An ectoparasite is a parasite that lives on the skin surface of an animal. The primary ectoparasites of horses are houseflies, stable flies, mosquitoes, and, to a lesser extent, horse and deer flies. Ticks, lice and mites are also common ectoparasites in horses.

Symptoms

Treatment

Treatment should be performed under veterinary supervision and involves a class of medications called scabicides and pediculicides. There are different application methods, such as dusts, sprays and wipe-ons or spot-ons.

Thoroughly brush horses before treatment to remove excess dirt and dust. Then, apply products over areas to be protected while brushing lightly against the lay of the hair. Pay special attention to legs, belly, shoulders, neck, and face. Follow label instructions to protect yourself from exposure to the product when treating.

Prevention

Control aims to minimise exposure to fly and midge bites and it is advisable to start this early in the season before your horse starts itching. This can be achieved by stabling your horse during dawn and dusk when midge activity is greatest; turning horses out in fields with lower midge burdens such as breezy pastures, higher ground and away from the woodland; preventing horses from grazing areas that have open water nearby as this attracts flies and midges; using an effective fly rug to prevent midge and fly contact with your horse’s skin.

Additionally, every horse in the stable should have its grooming equipment.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Neurological

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is

Diseases

Equine Motor Neurone Disease

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Equine motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological disorder in horses causing muscle weakness, weight loss, and trembling.