Mosquitoes and the like – summer’s nuisances

As lovely as the warm summer months spent outdoors are, they can also be quite exhausting for us and our horses. Humid, hot weather and thunderstorms in particular encourage an explosive proliferation of blood-sucking ectoparasites such as mosquitoes, horseflies and black flies. These winged pests arrive in swarms and not only spoil our horses’ relaxing time in the pasture, but also our own leisurely rides. Different insects are active depending on the weather and time of day; black flies prefer dawn and dusk, whilst windless, muggy days are ideal for horseflies. As well as winged insects, ticks also lurk in the tall grass. These parasites are attracted by carbon dioxide in the horse’s exhaled breath and by its body odour (sweat).

Infectious diseases caused by blood-sucking parasites

Blood-sucking insects have in common that they not only cause itching and skin irritation, but can also act as vectors for dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes can transmit single-celled parasites such as Leishmania. Horseflies and mosquitoes spread the lentivirus responsible for equine infectious anaemia (EIA). Furthermore, mosquitoes also transmit the West Nile virus (WNV). Ticks are not only vectors of various bacteria such as Borrelia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, but also transmit dangerous blood parasites such as Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. If a horse becomes infected with any of these bacteria or blood parasites, this can lead to the onset of life-threatening diseases. Endoparasites such as worms can also be transmitted by ectoparasites.

How can I protect my horse?

• Apply an effective natural insect repellent before turning out to pasture or going for a ride.
• Avoid pastures on the edge of woods and near still bodies of water; pastures with a gentle breeze are ideal.
• Fly screens can be fitted to stable windows.
• Help to preserve the habitats of the bloodsuckers’ natural predators (spiders, swallows, bats).
• Feed supplements containing garlic provide the skin with sulphur and alter the horse’s body odour.
• Black cumin oil can be used externally as an insect repellent and internally to relieve allergic itching.
• A balanced intake of minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium and manganese helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier and a strong immune system.