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Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 06/26/2024
Depending on where you live, ticks can be a dangerous consideration for both humans and horses. Since ticks are more prevalent in the summer months, it’s important to have prevention and treatment in place to avoid worst case scenarios including tick bites and the spread of diseases. Here are some precautions to take before we enter the summer months in order to keep you and your horses prepared, healthy and safe.
We’ve all heard of ticks before, but what exactly are they? Ticks are parasites that work to suck blood by attaching themselves to humans and animals. [1] Known for the spread of diseases, ticks can become quite dangerous, especially if you don’t initially notice the tick bite right away. The most common tick-spread diseases include Lymes Disease, Anaplasmosis and Equine piroplasmosis. [3] Each of these diseases offer a range of serious health conditions and consequences that can be difficult to treat, leading some horses to experience anemia or in more serious cases, death. [1]
When ticks attach themselves they will also typically leave a skin wound. Ranging in size, these wounds can lead to irritation and infection. These infections can then evolve into secondary bacterial infections and screwworm infestations. [1]
There are tons of species of ticks that will range depending on where you live. Depending on the species, this will depend on where they tend to attach themselves. For example, the spinous ear tick is known for attaching itself inside the ears of animals. [1] Other species will usually attach at the head, shoulders, neck or on the upper, inside of the legs. [1]
When ticks attach themselves, they’ll usually appear flat although if the tick has been attached for a few days, they’ll appear more round due to the blood intake. In other cases, you may notice a small bump and no tick because it has already infested itself. In this case — especially if there are multiple — calling your veterinarian before more serious health conditions start is key.
Ticks are most attracted to areas like woodlands, tons of brush and tall grasses. [1] The first step in avoiding contact with ticks is to eliminate any debris on your property. Routine maintenance of bushes, the grass and areas that you may spend time in between pastures, etc. is crucial to consider. If you don’t have control over the maintenance of these areas, do your best to avoid and get in the habit of doing a routine check on both you and your horse. It is recommended to take notice of tick-prone areas of your horse both before and after riding.
Another great way to go the extra mile in preventing ticks is to use chemical protection including a spray or wipe. There are tons of products out there specially formulated for horses. When purchasing any of these products look at the ingredients for cypermethrin,
permethrin, pyrethrins, or piperonyl butoxide [3]. These ingredients will offer long wear protection. If you have a horse who sweats consistently, be sure to look for something water resistant.
If your horse has been infested with ticks or is consistently having encounters, it is highly suggested to contact your veterinarian for removal and further suggestions.
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✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
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Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
