Mites in horses: recognising and treating them

As a horse lover, you naturally want your horse to be healthy and happy. Unfortunately, horses suffer from various skin problems, including mites.  Have you noticed your Friesian or Tinker stamping or biting at its socks? Or does your horse have scabs on its legs? There’s a good chance your horse is suffering from a mite infestation! This can occur all year round, but autumn in particular is a season when mites tend to reappear. To protect your horse from itching and sores, it’s therefore wise to start a comprehensive approach now! In this article, we’ll discuss how to recognise and treat mites in horses.

What is mite in horses?

Mite is a microscopic parasite that lives on the skin of horses. These parasites feed on dander and sebum, leading to irritation and itching. Mites are often found on the legs, mane and tail of horses, but can spread all over the body.

Symptoms of mites in horses

• Intense itch and sanding
• Bald spots caused by excessive sanding
• Flakes and scabs on the skin
• Thickening and folding of the skin, also known as mug named
• Rough, dry and flaky skin