Natural Treatment for Lice on Horses

While lice are not a common problem among horses, they can be transmitted through contaminated brushes, blankets and tack. There effective insecticidal treatments that can kill lice. But if you worry about your horse's health, take heart: A natural treatment for lice can be just as effective as an insecticide solution.

  1. Boost the Immune System

    • Like all parasites, lice rely on a weakened immune system to thrive. This is why young, sickened or geriatric horses are frequently stricken with lice while healthy adult horses are not. To boost your horse's immune system, feed her a healthy diet including water, salt, minerals and good mix of quality pasture, hay, alfalfa, grains, pellets and manufactured feeds.

    Smother the Lice

    • Although the species of lice that horses get differs from the ones that humans get, both types of lice respond effectively to the same style of treatment. Natural treatments for humans will work equally well with a horse. Many natural remedies for humans include smothering lice beneath a layer of oily substance. To do this, cover the affected area with mayonnaise or olive oil. Let the product sit on the horse for 30 minutes. Then gently brush to remove the lice. When you have finished, you can wash your horse with a grease-fighting dish soap. Repeat this process every two weeks until all the lice are gone.

    Sulfur

    • Sulfur is a natural remedy dating back to biblical times. Greek medical texts mention that sulfur was used to fumigate homes and rid them of pests. It is completely non-toxic and less expensive than most other home remedies. Sulfur can help control itching and repel parasites. To use it for horses, take powdered sulfur and rub it over the affected areas. Repeat this process every two to three days to catch eggs as they hatch.