Do’s & Don’ts -> mites in horses!
The mite season for horses has begun a little later than usual this year, thanks to the warm weather in October. If your horse is sensitive to mites, read this article to find out more about the do’s and don’ts.
Do’s if your horse is allergic to mites
Mite allergies can cause a lot of irritation in horses. Taking timely action is crucial to preventing mite issues as much as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late; prevention is better (and easier) than cure. On top of that, the following points are important:
- Get a professional diagnosis by way of a microscopic examination
A microscopic examination is the only way to diagnose mite allergy in horses. Sometimes, horses may display symptoms that suggest a mite allergy, such as itchiness, stomping, and scraping, but for different reasons.
- Start treatment before you spot the first bite
Once you’re sure that your horse is allergic to mites, it is important to start treatment before you spot the first bite. Mites need access to the blood stream to be able to lay their eggs. Prevent your horse’s coat from becoming infested with mite eggs by starting treatment on time. After all, the more mites and eggs, the longer it will take to solve the issue. Start feeding your horse Finecto+ Horse as soon as temperatures drop below 15 ˚C or 50 ˚F.
- Don’t forget about your horse’s surroundings (stables, tack, and other horses)
Mites not only infest the horse itself, but also their surroundings, such as other horses, the barn, and any tack, blankets, saddle pads, and brushes. As such, be sure to wash all blankets, pads, and brushes. It would be best to use a separate set of blankets, pads, and brushes for any horse that is allergic to mites. On top of that, any other horses that are carriers should be treated as well, to prevent them from continuously re-infecting allergic horses when standing together or if stabled together. Finecto+ Horse will not work if given to a single horse that is part of a large herd or a boarding stable. The mites carried by the other horses there will keep finding their way back to the allergic horse. Treating the other horses as well is the only way to get a handle on the issue.
- Mind the amount of sugar in your horse’s feed
Mites love sugar. Limiting the sugar in their roughage and concentrates is one of the best ways to protect a horse that is allergic to mites.
- Monitor your horse’s immune system
Your horse’s immune system is crucial when treating mites from the inside out. Products such as Finecto only work if your horse is able to dispose of toxins through its skin. If you feel like this might not be the case, then add a liver and kidney supplement to your horse’s diet, such as Heltie Horse Lever & Nier.
Don’ts if your horse is allergic to mites
- Waiting too long to start treatment
The longer you wait, the more eggs end up in your horse’s coat. Moreover, mites can even cause lesions on the legs. These lesions will itch as they heal, which means your horse is very likely to end up in a downward spiral that is very hard and takes a long time to get out of.
- Forget about their surroundings
A horse’s surroundings are often underestimated in terms of how to treat mites. The more you can do to treat their entire environment for mites, the better. Do not refrain from treating every horse in the herd with Finecto+ Horse. It will cause them no harm whatsoever and has no disadvantages, only advantages. Also make sure to use a separate set of brushes and pads for any horse that is allergic to mites; consistency is key in this!
- Use chemical substances
Mites can grow resistant to chemical substances relatively quickly, but cannot adapt in the same way to natural products such as Finecto+ Horse.
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