Protecting your Horse from Ticks Info Sheet

Veterinary Services

Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health August 2014

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Protecting Your Horse From Ticks

Ticks live in forests, grasslands, and scrub- brush areas, attaching to animals or people as they pass by. Many species of ticks can infest horses, and horses with heavy tick infestations often display poor body condition and even anemia. Ticks can also transmit disease agents to your horse. In addition, the site of the “bite” often irritates the horse, causing it to scratch or rub the site, which often leaves an open wound that can become inflamed and infected. Rarely, an attached tick causes progressive paralysis.

Protect Your Horse

Prompt and safe removal of ticks from your horse can be accomplished using a tick-removal tool designed specifically for the job. Before riding and while grooming, give special attention to the area under the tail; along the mane; warm/dark, thin-skinned areas such as between the upper thighs; on the udder or sheath; behind the elbows; and around the throatlatch and ears.

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Privacy

A. Ears
B. Mane or crest
C. Jawline

D. Elbows and girth area
E. Sheath or udder

F. Between upper and inner thighs

G. Tailhead and under tail

After riding check your horse for ticks again. Apply tick control pesticides (as permitted by label directions) to your horse, especially if it is being returned to tick-friendly pastures with shade or tall grass/brush/weeds.

Protect Your Property

• Remove leaf litter, brush, and weeds at the edge of lawns and pastures.

• Create a 9-foot cleared boundary on equine trails and pastures.

• Discourage contact with tick-carrying animals by storing grains in tightly sealed containers.

• Keep your pasture at a length that allows for adequate equine forage but still reduces tick populations.

• Prevent horses from grazing in wooded areas by installing fencing.

For more information, contact:

USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH–NAHMS

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7

2150 Centre Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

970.494.7000

http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov

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U nited States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture