How to Treat a Horse With Lice

Horses, along with most other furry mammals, can become infested with several different species of lice. There are blood-sucking lice and chewing lice, both of which can cause a horse to rub and scratch his body against trees, walls and other horses. When an infestation is very bad, a horse can rub himself raw trying to get rid of the itch. Although horses can have different species of lice, they can be treated and gotten rid of in the same way.

Things You'll Need

  • Ivermectin shot or oral paste
  • Dust
  • Pyrethrin shampoo
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Instructions

    • 1

      De-worm your horse with a paste ivermectin wormer, found at any feed or horse supply store. If the lice infestation is very heavy your veterinarian can give you an ivermectin shot that is stronger and will act quicker than the oral paste.

    • 2

      Wash your horse with water and a pyrethrin shampoo and conditioner that is approved for horses. This kills the lice that are present in the hair and on the skin of the horse. Wait two weeks and wash the horse with this shampoo and conditioner again to make sure all lice are gone.

    • 3

      Sprinkle a pyrethrin-laced dusting powder on your horse if it is too cold to give him a bath with shampoo. These dusts are available at any horse store or from your veterinarian. Work the dust down into the hair, concentrating on the areas at the base of his mane, down the top of the back, around the neck, on the face, around the lower legs and around the flanks. This treatment should also be repeated after two weeks to make sure all of the lice have been killed.

    • 4

      Clean all brushes, blankets, pads and bridles to rid them of lice. Wash brushes in the shampoo used on the horse. Throw blankets into the dryer on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes. Keep the horse out of the pasture or stall for at least two weeks to allow time for the lice to die.