In the United States, horses serve as a primary host for two species of ticks and a secondary host for 14 other species. Heavy tick burdens can result in general unthriftiness, anemia and susceptibility to disease. Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease found in many Eastern states. This very small parasite is fairly uncommon to horses. Both feed on skin and tissue fluids.
Symptoms are irritation, itching and scratching.
Management A combination of control methods works best to successfully manage insect pests. Management options are summarized in Table 1. Environmental Sanitation Removal and proper management of manure is a key to management of several horse pests, including face flies and horn flies. Stable flies and house flies breed in mixtures of manure, spilled feed and decaying bedding around the barn. To help eliminate fly breeding areas, spread the manure regularly and prevent accumulation of other wastes.