Ticks....should I be worried?

Charlie Bucket

Charlie Bucket

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I have recently moved my two horses to a new yard (mare has settled - finally! :) ).

Yard is located on the side of a valley that leads down to the sea, so lots of trees, lots of hedges and lots of grass.

All in all it's great, but my mare keeps coming in absolutely COVERED in ticks! For example tonight, just from giving her a general scratch about 7 came off into my hands, and I had to pull & twist 2 large ones from between her hind legs. ( Don't worry I do it properly so legs/head are removed.) She is very itchy and they are causing lots of little scabs/lumps.

Gelding has had a few but nothing like the amount my mare has. He has got quite a scabby face though but so far have put that down to him rummaging in the hedgerows. ( And no, no poisonous plants there ;) )

So, should I be worried regarding the ticks? I know Lyme disease is always a concern but I have never heard of any reported cases in my area or surrounding. Mare is generally healthy, not off her food etc. YO said when she first moved her horses onto the land they got covered to, but since that first year haven't seemed to be affected. Will she become immune? Any products to keep them at bay?

Sorry for long post but just hoping some of you may know :o Thanks.
 
I wouldn't like this but we have Lymes disease up here.
I'd get my self a tick remover from the Lymes society online, easier for getting them out intact with. My pony's old owner used to put 'spot on' for dogs on him so he didn't pick them up. Maybe ask your vet. Should stop them picking them up.
 
Thanks for the replies, had thought about ringing the vet so will in the morning and see what they advise.

I did used to use Frontline on her feathers as she suffered with mites when I first bought her.
 
Don't know if this will help or not but I know that cattle and sheep who've had no previous exposure to ticks can have a very bad reaction to them. It's not just Lyme disease they carry either. Cattle get redwater or (tick fever)I think because the cows urine will get blood in it and gets pink and frothy. This needs really prompt treatment I believe.
I've had Lyme disease which went undetected for four years because I had not been in a known Lyme disease area. Please err on the side of caution. :) and take care not to get them on you as well.
 
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