Lice treatment advice please

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tess1

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A horse arrived at my yard this afternoon (emergency - long story). This evening when I was in the barn I could see he was biting himself - I had a look and found small, brownish critters on him.

When the owner came up to do him this evening she had a look and agreed, yes they look like lice (don't ask me which sort though). However, she's not the most 'together' person (and in a bit of a state at the moment), so I'm guessing sorting out the lice will be down to me. Fortunately he's not in with the other horses yet, but advice on treatment would be much appreciated. The horse is an elderly arab type, so I would prefer not to bath him if at all possible in current weather conditions, but will manage it if needs be. But options would be good. Thanks.
 
When we bought a yearling it was running with lice. We used Coopers diluted and sponged on, it worked really well. If diluted in warm water and then towelled off he should be all right.

FDC
 
Deosect or ant powder with permethrin as the active ingredient. Rather like on children it can take several goes to eliminate the little critters completely... Oh, worming with an ivermectin based product can also help get rid of them too.
 
Depending on his age/condition clipping out can make the job much easier before applying any of the above suggestions. Dectomax jab also good but will need a vet to do it. Remember to wash any rugs he's worn and that lice are on a 14 day approx life cycle so most treatments will need to be done at least twice!
 
I've just treated my lot for lice.

First I tried a power (in a blue container) and found it didn't work! Also, it is really hard to get the powder upwards onto their stomach.

I bought two bottles of Switch (from the vet) and it worked brilliantly. You just put 40ml along their dorsal line (not where saddle goes) and it was excellent. I did three applications, two weeks apart and it was brilliant.

I was going to try Coopers stuff as I'd heard it was brillint, but the switch worked, so I didn't need to try Coopers. I think you can get Coopers from a local farm shop, its about £20 to £25 I think.

good luck.
 
I've just discovered this issue with my colt!! Spoke to my vet and she prescribed two lots of switch (one application for each horse) which my OH is fetching this morning.

A couple of questions tho:

1. do horses have to be dry/stay dry to put switch on/once its applied like with dogs?
2. how quick will it kill this cycle of lice?
3. should I try and remove the lice with a knit comb or will they drop off?
4. should I put switch on and then put clean rug on at same time or put switch on put rug back on he has been wearing and then put clean rug on after a day or so?
5. what is best to wash rugs and grooming kits in?
6. will I have to do all this again in 2 weeks?

Not had to deal with lice before so any advice greatly received!x
 
Coopers has always worked for me.
I usually clip the offending animal, apply coopers, and repeat every seven days for a month with a rug change at every application.
 
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