How to Look for Parasites on Your Horse

Owning a horse means taking responsibility for the animal's health and well-being. Understanding the health challenges of your horse and responding to them is part of being a responsible horse owner, and that means checking for external parasites on a regular basis. You should check your horse for ticks and other parasites after every ride, and every time you groom or work with it. If you do find any parasites, you should contact your vet for further information and instructions.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Mane and tail comb
  • Halter
  • Cross ties or lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put a halter on your horse and tie it securely. It is best to place the horse in cross-ties if you have them. If not, tie the horse to a sturdy post.

    • 2

      Rub your hands over the horse's face, feeling for any bumps that could be ticks or other parasites. Pay particular attention to the area around the muzzle, since the horse could have picked up ticks and bugs in the grass while grazing. Also feel under the horse's chin and up under the jawline, since ticks like to hide in the longer hair there.

    • 3

      Examine the inside of your horse's ears for ticks and parasites. It is easier to spot those ticks if you keep the hair in your horse's ears shaved.

    • 4

      Flip the mane to the off side and examine the neck thoroughly, especially the area that is normally hidden by the mane. Continue to examine the rest of the horse's neck and chest for suspicious bumps that could be ticks or parasites.

    • 5

      Feel along the entire surface of your horse's body and legs, stopping to examine any suspicious bumps you find. This is also a good way to detect any hidden injuries that could pose problems if not properly treated.

    • 6

      Comb through the horse's mane and tail looking for ticks and other parasites. Examine any hair you pull out of the mane or tail. Save any ticks you have and talk to your vet about further examination.