What Kind Of Lice Do Horses Get?
Two species of lice can infest horses. Damalinia (Werneckiella or Bovicola) equi is a biting louse that grasps onto a host’s hair and eats skin debris and secretions. Haematopinus asini is a blood-sucking louse that similarly attaches to the host’s hair and uses its mouthparts to pierce the skin and drink blood.
What does equine lice look like?
Types of equine lice
Both species are six-legged, tiny, wingless and usually light brown in colour. The sucking variety is the larger of the two and is quite easy to spot during routine inspection. They have pointed heads and penetrate the skin with their mouth parts.
Can horse lice live on humans?
Lice are host specific, so they can only survive on very specific animal species. The lice that live on horses were only built to survive on horses and therefore can’t survive for long on other animals or humans.
How can you tell if a horse has lice?
The symptoms of a lice infestation include:
- Loss of luster to horse’s coat.
- Loss of hair from neck.
- Loss of hair from shoulders.
- Matting of body hairs.
- Mane and tail become matted.
- Itching of the skin.
- Rubbing against poles, walls, etc.
- Biting at the skin.
Are lice the same as mites in horses?
In summary, both lice and mites are similar in the effects they have on horses, as they produce irritation and cause distress resulting in skin lesions.
What kills lice on horses?
Horses can be treated with sprays of pyrethrins, synthetic pyrethrins, or the organophosphate coumaphos to kill lice.
How long does it take to get rid of horse lice?
To maximize the effective- ness of lice control, the shampooing/cleaning should be repeated in two weeks in order to kill any nits that hatch after the first treatment.
What causes horses to get lice?
Horses in overcrowded environments where direct contact is inevitable. Transmission via fomites, eg objects such as shared combs, brushes, blankets or tack. Lice can be transmitted via surfaces such as stalls or fences if a horse has been rubbing against such an area, however this is rare.
How do you treat horse lice naturally?
Study shows that tea tree and lavender oil may be effective in treating lice. British researchers report that two common essential oils—tea tree and lavender—show promise in treating lice that are increasingly resistant to commercial pesticides.
How long can lice live on horse rugs?
2-4 weeks
How are they spread? Lice are mainly spread by direct contact from one horse to another, but can be spread indirectly by shared rugs and grooming equipment. A louse can survive for 2-4 weeks in an environment with favourable conditions, but more frequently die off within a week.
Should you clip a horse with lice?
Clipping the coat of the infected horse is usually the first step in lice treatment. A reduction in the length of the coat is more likely to reduce the number of nits and make lice less likely to thrive. In the winter, consider body clipping the horse if the infection is particularly bad.
How long does it take to get rid of horse lice?
To maximize the effective- ness of lice control, the shampooing/cleaning should be repeated in two weeks in order to kill any nits that hatch after the first treatment.
What colour are lice on horses?
Lice are 1-2mm in length and are brown in colour. They can be seen with the naked eye during careful examination. If you part the hair and watch for a moment, you can see them moving around. The lice lay eggs called nits in the horse’s hair, coat and mane.
Where do equine lice come from?
Horses in overcrowded environments where direct contact is inevitable. Transmission via fomites, eg objects such as shared combs, brushes, blankets or tack. Lice can be transmitted via surfaces such as stalls or fences if a horse has been rubbing against such an area, however this is rare.
Contents