Lice in Horses – Why Are We Seeing So Many at the Moment?

We’ve been diagnosing quite a few cases of lice in horses recently, which is very common at this time of year.

Why now?

Lice tend to be more of a problem in late winter and early spring. Horses still have thick winter coats, which provide the perfect warm environment for lice to live and reproduce. Horses are also often spending more time stabled or in closer contact with each other, making it easier for lice to spread. As horses start to shed and are groomed more frequently in spring, infestations often become more noticeable.

What are the signs?

Common symptoms include:

Excessive itching or rubbing
Patchy hair loss, particularly around the mane, tail, shoulders, and neck
A scruffy or dull coat
Small scabs or irritated skin
You may even see the lice themselves or their eggs (nits) attached to hairs

There are two types of lice that affect horses:

Biting lice - cause irritation by feeding on skin debris
Sucking lice - feed on blood and can occasionally contribute to anaemia in heavy infestations, particularly in young, older, or unwell horses.

How to spot lice – quick guide

Part the hair and look closely at the skin
Check around the mane, withers, tail head and forelock
Adult lice are tiny yellow-brown insects moving through the hair
Eggs (nits) look like small white specks stuck firmly to hair shafts

How are they treated?

Treatment is usually straightforward and involves veterinary-prescribed products such as topical insecticides. These often need repeating after around 2 weeks to kill newly hatched lice.

It’s also important to:

Treat all in-contact horses
Wash or disinfect grooming kit, rugs, and tack
Avoid sharing brushes or equipment between horses

Because lice live on the horse rather than in the environment, treating the horse and close contacts is the most important step.

If your horse is itchy or you’re concerned about lice, feel free to get in touch with the practice and we can advise on the best treatment.

0808 168 5580