Tayto
Well-Known Member
Hi Lisa,
From what you describe, it sounds like feather mites, which most heavies suffer from.
I treat my boy with a twice yearly injection of dectomax which kills them & the eggs that they lay and it's also a wormer. I know some people use Frontline spray but I never have. I also use pig oil & sulphur on the legs which helps and also keeps the feathers in good condition. If using the pig oil & sulphur, I would patch test first as some horses react to the sulphur.
Just a word of caution, left untreated it can be really uncomfortable for the horse. Before my boy was rescued by his previous owner he was just left and he ended up with a massive infection, cracked heels and his feather being stuck in the puss in his heels. The vet said that the infection was so bad that it he hadn't had been treated when they did, he would have to have been pts.
Hi Claire,
Just wanted to give you an update on Tash's legs. The vet was out the other night and she confirmed there was no mites - she did say what it was but I cant remember the name of it now anyways - she gave me some hydrocortisone to apply daily and she said that it should clear up in no time but it would probably reoccur. She said to watch how much I am using pig oil as it can block the pores and make it worse - I am only applying twice a month at the mo to try and keep condition in her feathers so she said that would be ok. Thanks for your advice - will keep an eye out for mites in the future