Feather mite prevention or cure

[Nikkimac23]

Hi
Im new here so be gentle please

we are getting my daughters first pony next week - she’s a 13.3 cob

very excited but didn’t anxious I had ponies in my teens but it’s been a long time and things seem much more complex than they did back in the 90s

the seller told us that she had suffered with feather mites hence they have clipped her feathers

i would really like her to have her feathers as opposed to keep them clipped so just wondering if there is a good prevention treatment

thanks
Ps this is the first of many Questions ?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Firstly welcome to the forum,

You could try growing them in and treating with deosect , that works for my friends cob ?

 

[nagblagger]

As BB says deosect or frontline spot-on treatment if she is good with you touching her feathers.
If not, like my mare (badly treated and work in progress with hinds) the vet has an anti-mite injection This works for mine but not for others i gather.

 

[Zoeypxo]

The only thing that works for the ones at my yard is dectomax injections from the vet every 12 months

 

[Gloi]

Neem oil rubbed into the legs regularly stinks but works.

 

[Red-1]

I simply clip Rigsby every week, and wash them straight after. That way he rarely needs topical applications and he stays comfortable.

I'm not sure I could keep him comfortable with feathers. I know his previous owners tried their best, with mite treatment, and he was distressed.

 

[TealH0rse]

In my experience, people tend to try out washes (though not practical in winter/on colder days unless you have a lot of time to dry them) or frontline first. I’ve seen some success with frontline, but it really does take a lot of work.

Injections seem to be a last resort for most people, but they’ve worked the best at my yard.

 

[olop]

Frontline spray works a treat on mine, he’s kept in a field next to lots of deer and I always have problems with mites, a few sprays of it on each leg normally keeps them at bay.

 

[shortstuff99]

Don't keep him bedded on straw as that often carries mites. Check the feathers regularly/daily for signs of mites (little scabs) and treat accordingly.

 

[SEL]

I have a part bred Dales who grows ridiculously long and thick feathers - & itches on my gates.

Dectomax hasn't really done much for her but dog tick spot on (1 pipette per leg) every 10 days is working. Although she might be de-haired before winter mud!

 

[Highmileagecob]

There is no reason why Frontline or Dectomax should work, as feather mites are not blood feeders. They live on the skin debris - dandruff and scabs to you and me. Use a selenium based shampoo - Selsun 2.5% is a good one, and shampoo on day one, day five and day ten to break the life cycle and clear any hatchlings. Repeat every month for six months, and comb out any scabs that lift off the skin. Do not get the shampoo on broken skin as it stings. If you can start the shampoo cycle with a full body bath on day one so much the better, but legs only is better than nothing. Good luck, I hope this time next year you have some lovely feather and no itching.

 

[meleeka]

Mites tend to live in the surroundings, so the pony might not even get them with you. I had a cob for 15 years and never had mites, but I did buy a horse with them. I cleared them up pronto with a sulphur dip and Frontline and clipped the feather and they didn’t come back. The same horse had them continually in their last home.

Straw would be a no for a horse prone to them though.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Google Farrier mite spray and shampoo.
100% effective and non-toxic.
You may need to treat the stable, replace bedding, wash brushes etc too.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

The only thing that works for the ones at my yard is dectomax injections from the vet every 12 months

Same

 

[lialls]

I use Front Line spray (the dog flea spray) as soon as i see my mare stamping, then use again about 2 weeks later. Then when i see her stamping again next.

Straw is terrible for them so i would steer clear of bedding on straw too.

 

[Nikkimac23]

Thanks for all your help
The girl at my livery sos commented that the front line was he only thing that worked for hers