What are lice?

Lice are parasites that feed on blood or skin flakes. They are only a few millimeters in size and lay eggs in the coat. Often, you can see lice on horses with the naked eye, and the eggs are also noticeable. The eggs of lice are called nits. There are two types of lice in horses: biting lice and sucking lice. The biting louse is the most common and feeds on skin flakes. The sucking louse feeds on blood and can cause anemia in severe cases. A lice infestation usually starts on the neck and body but can easily spread to the rest of the body. Lice are particularly active during the winter months, as they like to hide in the long, warm winter coat of horses. Horses and ponies with reduced immunity are more susceptible to lice. Lice are highly contagious and can also be found in blankets, brushes, and other items.

How to Treat Lice?

Lice cause intense itching in horses, leading them to rub against surfaces and sometimes injure themselves. Therefore, it is important to quickly bring a lice outbreak under control. Usually, lice can be easily identified by the horse owner, as the nits (white specks) are often clearly visible. If in doubt, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian.

Lice can be difficult to combat because they are well hidden in the coat and often occur during the cold winter months. During this period, it is not always possible to wash horses. There are products available through veterinarians for washing, but these only kill the adult lice. The eggs (nits) are not affected, so it is important to repeat the treatment regularly. A downside of washing with chemical products is that it lowers the horse's immunity and removes its natural protection. Lice can also be treated naturally, but this takes time. Natural remedies cannot kill the eggs either, so it is important to provide a supplement for an extended period. A supplement based on herbs and essential oils makes the blood and skin flakes indigestible, preventing the lice from reproducing and gradually reducing the lice population. Eggs can hatch a year later, so it’s not surprising that there can be another lice outbreak the following winter!

Tips for treating horses for lice:

• Treat for an extended period with an internal, natural supplement
• Wash all blankets, brushes, and other equipment
• For ponies/horses with thick coats, it is advisable to clip the coat.
• Boost the immunity of the pony or horse

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