During cold weather the mites burrow under the hair for protection causing itching. The symptoms reduce during the summer but the mite population does not die out completely, leaving a nucleus for re-infestation the following winter. Heavy draught horses and cobs are the most usual hosts and laboratory tests have revealed that the mite does not survive on Thoroughbred skin. Infected animals frequently stamp their feet in an effort to relieve the itching. Young foals have been known to be affected all over the body.
Veterinary treatment is necessary and skin samples taken for diagnosis.
See Diagram of Bones Below the Knee for location. A CLUB FOOT has a small frog and high heels. It's also known as a boxy or mule foot. If only one foot is affected it could be the result of an injury causing contraction of the superficial digital flexor tendon. The deep flexor tendon and the suspensory ligament are also sometimes affected.