Stamping Feet Problem

[Third_Time_Lucky]

Hi, friend's pony has started violenty stamping his feet over last couple of days for no apparent reason. Legs are clipped out, clean, no problems with mud fever, mites, cracked heels or anything else we can think of. He's never done this before. Has anyone else had a horse that has started doing this? She's going to speak to vet tomorrow but asked me to raise the question with fellow HHOs. Thanks.

 

[DiablosGold]

It's probably mites. I order frontline spray online (you need a prescription from vets and it's only for cats/dogs). You need to spray the legs thoroughly twice, 10 days apart.

I used this method once about 2 years ago and have not had a problem since.

 

[ltoolan]

My Percheron gets 'stampy' always about this time of year. To echo earlier thread, frontline works a treat.

 

[cindydog]

mine did this and it turned out to be mites did front line twice all better now

 

[Cahill]

It's probably mites. I order frontline spray online (you need a prescription from vets and it's only for cats/dogs). You need to spray the legs thoroughly twice, 10 days apart.

I used this method once about 2 years ago and have not had a problem since.

agree with this /\ /\
you need the pump spray,it was recommended to me by a vet but is not licenced for horses.
you will not see any mites because they are tiny and burrow under the skin.

 

[Third_Time_Lucky]

Thanks folks. Friend is going to try frontline and take it from there.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My vet prescribed a double dose of wormer containing Ivermectic for my cob with feather mites. Apparently it has to contain ivermectin to be effective. Feather mites are persistent little beasties and you'll have to keep treating them and being watchful. My cob is at livery and the decision was made to trim his feathers and he's been a lot better since then - at least you can see what's going on and also get lotions and potions on his legs if you need to.

I think I read somewhere (on H&H forums??) that someone has used pig oil and flowers of sulpher? Or was that for sweet itch?

I have used tea tree shampoo (Tesco's, cheap and cheerful) on my cobs legs and it seems to ease him a lot if he's very itchy. You can also get anti-fungal and anti-parasitic shampoos from horsey shops which are a tad pricey but do the trick and if you use them occasionally, with the tea tree shampoo in between, you don't need to use as much.

Feather mite needs to be treated and taken seriously - apparently its a form of dermodectic mange!