feather mites

[toppedoff]

cant say im surprised to be honest, been told this cob has had it for a while and my mum flagged it up to me today. this is not my horse btw, owner thought i may know what to do, i dont.

how did you go about it please? ive looked at a few things, im not sure what one to go for or to suggest to the owner. we may go the tack shop to get some stuff but i honestly dont know what im looking at or what method would suit. i think we would need to clip the legs, poor thing has had it for months and its progressing which is why its been given attention im not a fond of how the horse is kept but if it comes down to sorting it out myself im more than happy to if i can cover the costs

thank you so much very sorry

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Best thing if it's advanced is to ask vet for a Dectomax injection.

 

[DressageCob]

For maintenance deosect is good. Also the feather mite shampoo and spray https://www.amazon.co.uk/Farriers-Equine-Care-Feather-Shampoo/dp/B0844QFGN4

I've never used the injection but I know that's the go to treatment for the more advanced cases.

 

[toppedoff]

For maintenance deosect is good. Also the feather mite shampoo and spray https://www.amazon.co.uk/Farriers-Equine-Care-Feather-Shampoo/dp/B0844QFGN4

I've never used the injection but I know that's the go to treatment for the more advanced cases.

how often do you put the feather mite shampoo on? daily or different please? thank you so much

 

[nagblagger]

I've used the injection with good results, it is 2 vet visits though.

 

[gallopingby]

either shampoo and powder or jag from vet when it’s beginning to cause problems, you don’t need to remove all the hair!! don’t stable on straw.

 

[Arzada]

You may find this thread useful https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/clipping-feathers-mites.826181/#post-15113081

Please wear a hat. And don't kneel. Allow plenty of time ie more than you think you will need so don't think oh I have 30 minutes free. You may only manage one leg per session. My experience of a feathered itchy legged horse which had gone untreated for at least 2 years was that he found it very hard to allow handling and treatment of his legs (see linked thread above). I never worked to a schedule or timescale.

TBH I would want to see how this cob is having his legs handled before I made a decision to put myself in harm's way, or not.

 

[toppedoff]

You may find this thread useful https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/clipping-feathers-mites.826181/#post-15113081

Please wear a hat. And don't kneel. Allow plenty of time ie more than you think you will need so don't think oh I have 30 minutes free. You may only manage one leg per session. My experience of a feathered itchy legged horse which had gone untreated for at least 2 years was that he found it very hard to allow handling and treatment of his legs (see linked thread above). I never worked to a schedule or timescale.

TBH I would want to see how this cob is having his legs handled before I made a decision to put myself in harm's way, or not.

shes had him for 8 years, hes never had feet picked up, only front but he isnt keen on it like said not so fond of the way he is kept at all but im happy to try and help so it may take ages to actually apply the stuff on before actually treating it since hes green in that area im worried since been told hes had it since November time i think..

i got a feeling this could be my work over the summer if need be

 

[Tiddlypom]

Be very careful. Hat and gloves time for sure.

When you say he's never had his hind feet picked up, do you also mean he's never had his hind feet seen to by a farrier? Or even picked out?

 

[Arzada]

shes had him for 8 years, hes never had feet picked up, only front but he isnt keen on it like said not so fond of the way he is kept at all but im happy to try and help so it may take ages to actually apply the stuff on before actually treating it since hes green in that area im worried since been told hes had it since November time i think..

In that case I would take the advice of Pearlsasinger and nagblagger to inject.

i got a feeling this could be my work over the summer if need be

Is this your school/university holiday?

Now I'm the age I am (old) I am way more assertive than when I was younger. I'm also more protective of my body. I am also well aware of how people will take advantage of kindness. The injections would be a non-negotiable condition of me working with the cob.

 

[toppedoff]

Be very careful. Hat and gloves time for sure.

When you say he's never had his hind feet picked up, do you also mean he's never had his hind feet seen to by a farrier? Or even picked out?

i think hes only had it picked up by the farrier. shes super novicey (despite having him for 8 years) but it is getting somewhat worrying

 

[toppedoff]

In that case I would take the advice of Pearlsasinger and nagblagger to inject.


Is this your school/university holiday?

Now I'm the age I am (old) I am way more assertive than when I was younger. I'm also more protective of my body. I am also well aware of how people will take advantage of kindness. The injections would be a non-negotiable condition of me working with the cob.

thank you, its my mums friends cob, but im nearing to finishing college so ill have alot of time on my hands, its more of a pity offer to help i dont want him to be suffering with it any longer - ill see what she thinks of getting the vet out

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

If you can persuade them to get the vet to inject that would be the essential starting point. When your vet has done the second injection to kill off any emerging lice/mites then it would be good practice to try prevention for the future. I always used pig oil and sulphur for my hairy cobs, if it is done regularly it will prevent both mud fever and discourage mite infestation and keep the skin in lovely condition and the hair nice and soft, not brittle and easily burned off by muddy conditions.

However, a note of caution, always do a small skin patch test first to test for any reaction. Unless you are very experienced with a cob that has gone this long without any real leg handling I would not rush headlong into offering to do the job for them. They should be encouraged to start getting the poor thing much happier to allow its legs to be handled (should be easier once the mites have been eradicated) and they can get their own pig oil and sulphur ready mixed from most tack shops these days.

It's kind of you to offer to help them with this, but it would be of more benefit to guide them to learn to care for their horse properly and not risk getting your own head kicked in for (probably) very little thanks!

 

[olop]

I had a terrible time with mites last summer and unfortunately my vet didn’t have the injection in stock. They suggested I used spot on for dogs (the spray not the pipettes) and it worked a treat!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

shes had him for 8 years, hes never had feet picked up, only front but he isnt keen on it like said not so fond of the way he is kept at all but im happy to try and help so it may take ages to actually apply the stuff on before actually treating it since hes green in that area im worried since been told hes had it since November time i think..

i got a feeling this could be my work over the summer if need be

In that case you definitely need a vet to inject and possibly to sedate so that the legs can be handled. Please do not put yourself in harm's way for someone else's horse.

I have been dealing with my own cob's skin problem (allergy related) on her legs this winter. I have had her since she was 2 and she was always very good about picking up her feet BUT I have had to treat her sore patches at arm's length with a spray, unless I wanted to sedate her every day.

 

[sport horse]

Dectomax injection the way forward. One cob in yard, spread mites to all the warmbloods. Hit at it with injections and been clear for 10+ years. Ideally clip feathers off cob but that may not be acceptable!

 

[toppedoff]

Dectomax injection the way forward. One cob in yard, spread mites to all the warmbloods. Hit at it with injections and been clear for 10+ years. Ideally clip feathers off cob but that may not be acceptable!

i didnt realise it can spread, suppose it makes sense though - thank you so much

 

[Highmileagecob]

My go-to is Selsun 2.5% shampoo. If you can start with a full body bath it is supposed to work better, but scrub the legs in the shampoo on day 1, day 5 and day 10 to catch all the hatchlings. Leave the shampoo in contact with the skin for ten minutes, then rinse well. This removes all the dandruff, skin scales and debris that the mites feed on, and will stop the itching within three days or so. Repeat in a couple of months if needed, or if you see stamping and scratching again. This has kept my lad mite free for over eight years; he has just had to have the routine done again as a new, itchy cob was brought on the yard and turned out with the herd.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Our vets make up an Ivermectin leg-wash which you make up for feather mites.

Might be worth asking yours OP.

Please note: IF this horse isn't yours i.e. is on loan, then you really would be best advised to ask the owner if it is OK if you did decide to have anything injected or before using Spot-Ons. As an owner I would like to know...........

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Our vets make up an Ivermectin leg-wash which you make up for feather mites.

Might be worth asking yours OP.

Please note: IF this horse isn't yours i.e. is on loan, then you really would be best advised to ask the owner if it is OK if you did decide to have anything injected or before using Spot-Ons. As an owner I would like to know...........

I read OP as the owner has asked for help. If that's not the case toppedoff really shouldn't touch the horse at all.