What to use to treat horses for ticks? - briefly
Use a veterinary‑approved acaricide—commonly a permethrin‑based spray, pour‑on, or pour‑on formulation such as Dectomax—applied according to the product label and veterinary advice. Combine treatment with regular grooming and pasture management to limit re‑infestation.
What to use to treat horses for ticks? - in detail
Effective control of equine ectoparasites requires a combination of chemical, mechanical, and environmental measures.
Topical acaricides applied to the skin provide rapid knock‑down of attached specimens. Products containing permethrin, cypermethrin, or deltamethrin are approved for equine use; they are sprayed or brushed onto the coat, focusing on the mane, tail, and ventral surfaces. Concentrations must follow the label, typically 0.5–1 mL per square meter, and re‑application is recommended every 14 days during peak tick activity.
Pour‑on formulations, often based on pyrethroids or phenylpyrazoles, create a protective layer that migrates across the hair shaft. A single dose of 10 mL per 100 kg body weight provides protection for up to 30 days. Brands such as “Equi‑Shield” and “Tick‑Away” list withdrawal periods of 48 hours for meat horses and 72 hours for lactating mares.
Systemic drugs administered orally or by injection reach ticks feeding beneath the skin. Ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) and moxidectin (0.3 mg/kg) are the most commonly used macrocyclic lactones. Both agents are effective against larvae, nymphs, and adult stages, with a residual effect of 2–4 weeks. Veterinary prescription is required; dosage must be calculated precisely to avoid neurotoxicity.
Dipping horses in an aqueous solution of organophosphate or carbamate acaricide remains an option for severe infestations. The dip should maintain a temperature of 35–38 °C, and exposure time must be 5–10 minutes. After treatment, rinse the animal with clean water to reduce skin irritation. Withdrawal periods for meat horses range from 7 to 14 days depending on the active ingredient.
Mechanical removal involves using fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward. This method eliminates the need for chemicals but requires thorough inspection of the entire body, especially the ears, groin, and perineum, after grazing.
Environmental management reduces reinfestation risk. Mow pastures regularly to keep grass height below 10 cm, eliminate brush and leaf litter, and apply acaricidal granules to high‑risk areas. Rotational grazing limits exposure to tick‑infested pastures, and livestock can be moved to dry, sun‑exposed fields during peak summer months.
Integrated pest‑management protocols combine the above strategies. A typical schedule includes a topical spray at the start of the season, a systemic injection three weeks later, weekly pasture inspections, and monthly pour‑on applications. Record‑keeping of dates, products, and observed tick counts enables adjustment of the regimen based on efficacy.
All treatments must be administered under veterinary supervision, with attention to product labels regarding species suitability, dosage, and milk or meat withdrawal times.