Cause of ear/bridling problems

[muff747]

I see a lot of people at my yard and on this forum with head shy, bridle shy horses especially during spring/summer.
When I first bought my horse 16 years ago, there were only flies that caused infections in eyes around summer, but nowadays there are a different type of fly which bites inside their ears. If a horse has been in the field and is very agitated, when you get them back to the stable, try feeling inside their ears. I have seen blood in their ears from all the bites and blood sucking pesky flies if their owners haven't put on a fly hood with ear protectors, or if the horse has managed to get it off in the field.
Once the flies have set up the irritation, it is difficult to get near their ears to treat them so make sure you always put their hood on before going out in the field. Even if it's raining - when the rain stops, the flies come out and bite so I would put the hood on almost every day, except perhaps if the temperature is down and it is going to be cool all day.
Don't ever put the hood on whilst they are in the field in case you trap some flies IN, that would drive your horse mad
I have found flies still in my horses ears after I brought him in, you have to get your fingers right inside to clear them all out or put repellant gel inside.
I bet if you religiously make sure those pesky flies don't bite their ears again, you would not have this problem, and wouldn't have to get the vet out.
IF you have put the hood on religiously every day and you still have problems, then you might have to get the vet out to investigate.

 

[bbcrystal]

Any advice on getting the hood on? I have three different ones and can't get near my mare with any of them!!!

 

[popularfurball]

Treats

I also bunch them up like when you put tights on, so she can see as quick as poss when it goes over head.

 

[muff747]

I usually put it on in a similar way you would put the bridle on, stand with your back to her shoulder and bring it slowly under her neck and keep it close in.
Keep calm, breath slowly and good luck

 

[domane]

I'm actually glad you've posted this as we have only had our boy since Feb and he's the first one we've had that has become ear-shy this summer. He was fine to bridle in the spring and even now he will willingly seek the bit and open his mouth but getting the headpiece over his ears is a nightmare - they are just SO sensitive at the mo, so it's reassuring that it is not just him... I thought I was doing something wrong! We have to take his bridle apart on one side, bring the headpiece up his neck then slide the two straps back into the browband and ask him to accept the bit from the offside before doing up the cheek strap. Bit of a palaver but he's a Clydie X and if you try to put his bridle on the standard way, he jerks his massive head around and you risk getting a black eye or broken cheek or jaw! Once his bridle is actually on he's an angel. But he does ADORE me scratching inside his ears with my finger nails (bleurgh!) so I know it's the flies that are aggravating him... poor love.

 

[muff747]

Have you tried a hood with ears?

 

[JCWHITE]

Totally agree, OP,Here in France the fly masks, from Decathlon by the way, great price, fit and durability, go on from early February, early morning till late evening.
This year I have used a little Barrier ointment just inside the ears, the nice smelling one in a small pot.
The little black flies make the ears bleed as you describe and from then on, there is this nightmare cycle.
Nothing but nothing works in terms of fly repellent, and the latest wave of flies are the "Sucky" ones, suck the blood, and the crab flies which lodge under the tail, and scuttle across the horse like a crab. English horse goes mad.
I feel so sorry for horses which dont get this basic (to me ) care.no wonder a lot of them are ear shy.

 

[kirstie]

Good post. Unless the temp drops my horse goes out every night with her mask on. She gets so distressed if she has flies in her ears and i really can't blame her.

 

[galaxy]

If your horse is sore/bleeding in the ears, smear some sudocream in them which will sooth it a lot (then you'll stand more of a chance getting a hood on)

Tip of getting cream in. Stick it on you thumb, gently cup the ear with your fingers and quickly whip it in with your thumb. You horse may well protest, but it's worth it! In a day or so it will be all cleared up!