Long running mite problems please help

[Madz123]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone has any advice, ive had my horse nearly a year and he suffers with severe mites, I have tried the injections from the vet he has had two already, I have clipped him completely out and tried different sprays and powders, he is also living out at the moment so no straw under him.... Any advice or home remedies welcomed I'm at the point where I don't know what else to try

 

[Bojingles]

Oh dear, I can sympathise! My cob suffers from mites too and managing that and the associated mallenders is an ongoing issue for me. How long ago did your horse have the jabs? They don't get rid of them permanently - I have to factor in several jabs a year for mine. I had a good chat with my vet about it all last time he came and he said they're most often an issue that need ongoing management - it's hard to entirely get rid of them once and for all. Have you tried Frontline spray? Or the Ivermectin wash? Does your horse have the crusty skin and scabs behind the knees? I'm finding that Sudocrem really soothes that and keeps it softened whilst also forming a barrier to infection. Hope some of that's helpful - good luck!

 

[Madz123]

Thank you for your post he had one jab in November and one in may, I have been told about frontline that I's the next thing to try. My vet advised me to was him with hibbing scrub every other day, I haven't got any expirence with mites so I will try anything lol No no crusty bits behind his knees though he has rubbed and itch so much he has cuts down his back legs, thanks again

 

[Greylegs]

My highland has recently had this problem but the injections seem to have done the trick, thankfully, as I would have been gutted to have had to take his feathers off.

However, my vet recommended (if the jabs hadn't worked) Frontline spray and ivermectin wash. But someone I know also treated by spraying thoroughly with Coopers fly spray, or Tritek14, both of which are supposed to kill the little blighters.

You have my sympathies. The sight of my boy lying in his stable biting his fetlocks to scratch them wasn't nice. It must drive them nuts.

 

[Madz123]

Thanks for replying, when he came to me he had thick beautiful feathers now he is completley bald any ideas where I get the wash from? Local tack shop or from the vet? I will give that a try aswell

 

[katherine1975]

I would try frontline, I use it on my cob when she shows signs of mites. I haven't had to clip her feathers at all. Just spray with frontline and repeat 10 days later.

 

[comet!]

Did the injection work at all? It only lasts 13 weeks I believe.

My horse suffered really badly when I bought him last spring. His legs were completely raw behind his knees and he used to sit in the field in a dog position scratching his legs! He now has the injection every 3 months and his feathers have fully grown back and there is no scratching. For the first few months I did also have to use the pig oil and sulphur to help get rid of all the scabby bits. I now don't need to use the pig oil, and just comb out any scurfy bits with a nit comb.

 

[sarahann1]

Barricade, that's what you need, great stuff, ask your vet for it. They might be reluctant since its meant for cattle etc and is really potent stuff, makes frontline look like water, but it works within two treatments.

It's never ever failed me, even in a yard which got in hay heaving with mites from rats. Every horse had to be treated, it work every time.

 

[cornbrodolly]

something will work- you just have try everything. Injections didnt work with my boy, or Frontline , or cattle pour on ,or Hibiscrub , various others that escape my mind that we tried ove rthe yrs!
HOWEVER, this spring I tried Pig oil and sulphur - hey presto it worked! I m not saying it will work for yours, but fairly cheap and worth a go. Works best [ I was told] on clipped legs, so shoud be good for your 'bald' cob.

 

[shergar]

Coopers repellent is used for mites lice and flies ,I am sure coopers tritec 14 and barracade all have the same ingredient permetherin ,my friend said it is same ingredient as head lice treatment for people .
We were advised by the vet to use Coopers ,on a horse that rubs her tail every summer and came in from the field covered in fly bites,she is fine now and not rubbing at all ,very effective and I think well worth a try for the mites ,when my friends horse had mites the vet said they have a seven to eleven day breeding cycle,so that would be worth remembering with regard to treatment.
Hope this helps .

 

[midnightthunder]

Please nobody shoot me down for this suggestion - it works for me and my horses so will just share. Having had a problem with my horses contracting lice and not knowing where they came from I did a full scale internet trawl and came up with a few obscure to say the least remedies but then found two and thought what the hell cant do any damage and they both work! Before telling you what they are found the source of the lice to be my neighbours rather shaggy smelly and unkempt llama - anyway - for lice mites maggots and to a degree flies - use ant powder containing Perermythin (sp) Wilkos best bet as under £2 for a big tube - sprinkle it on rub it in and hey presto - repeat daily and it works and its cheap! The other one avoid if your like me and hate the stuff is mayonaise! Yes I did say that!!!! Mayonaise smother the affected areas in Mayo and allow it to dry naturally - brush it out when dry and flaky and if needed repeat until the mites lice whatever are gone - gives a nice shiny coat at the end of it and no ill effect to the horse pony! Apparantley it smoothers the critters and they just brush out. Good luck and give it a try.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Gosh! Mayonaise! Blimey, but deffo worth a try heh?

When my traddie boy had this problem, I had the vet in the yard anyway, so asked him about it.

He prescribed three lots of Ivermectin wormer, taken orally, each dose to be taken two weeks apart.

Um, whilst not wishing to go against anybody's advice...... PLEASE be very very careful of using Pig Oil and Sulphur on legs which are already probably very sore and inflamed, especially if yours has pink skin and white hair.

I used it on my traddie, and he came up very very pink, and sore. Do, do, do, be very careful and IF you're going to use it then patch test for 48 hours beforehand first.

Another thing you could try is Diatomaceous Earth (hope spelt that right). Basically its a micronised version of sharp sand, which when applied penetrates the shell of the critter and thus kills it. I use it for my chickens when they get red mite and its good stuff, does the trick, plus use it on the dogs for fleas.

Do a google search of it if you want to know more. Its easily buyable at places where they sell stuff for Smallholders; Nettex I think market it under a brand name, something like "Mite Kill" for chickens.

Maybe also worth a try? Its cheap and cheerful and you don't need any vets prescription.

Re. the ant kill stuff: is the active ingredient Permethrin?? In which case then yes it should work coz I remember the vet saying something about this being a very useful ingredient for parasites.

 

[Elliejolie]

I would try frontline, I use it on my cob when she shows signs of mites. I haven't had to clip her feathers at all. Just spray with frontline and repeat 10 days later.

Does it not hurt spraying frontline on open wounds?

 

[Elliejolie]

Does it not hurt spraying frontline on open wounds?

I would love to try frontline spray I've bought it but dont like the thoughts of it stinging wounds badly ?

 

[Gloi]

I also like a regular coating of neem oil on the legs to help kill the bugs, provided the horse isn't sensitive to it.

 

[claret09]

can i suggest flypor, it's a cattle treatment - i have used it on several horses over the years - it will kill mites and is a great long term fly repelant in the summer. i have used it on friend's horses who have had mite problems with great success.

 

[Chappie]

I seem to be having some success with neem shampoo, diactaumus (spelling likely wrong, sorry, im on my phone and battery too low to check that on google) earth powder, Nettex feather mite powder and Equimins lice and mite spray.
Of course would be extremely careful around open wounds with any of these and patch test first in case they are allergic!
I hope some of the great suggestions on the thread help, it's such a horrid thing for them to have.

 

[Gloi]

If using diatomaceous earth use a dust mask when you put it on as it is really bad for your lungs.

 

[Elliejolie]

I also like a regular coating of neem oil on the legs to help kill the bugs, provided the horse isn't sensitive to it.

I love neem oil. It's an absolutely fantastic product if it's the cold pressed type. It's so versatile ?

 

[Leo Walker]

You never erradiacte it but you can manage it. Mine had the 3 injections to start with. They didnt work. Monthly he would be washed in dermoline, dosed with deosect and covered in neem oil. Wth clipped legs this worked absolutely fine. When the feather was allowed to grow back I added front line to the mix in between the deosect.