Ticks are opportunist creatures and can live on a variety of hosts, including horses. So, how much of a problem are they to equines? Claire Shand, SQP at Westgate Laboratories explains what signs to look for and the steps you can take to keep your horse healthy and tick free. (Read the full article in our July issue on sale from 28th June)
Ticks are tiny bloodsucking parasites of mammals (including horses, humans, dogs and cats) whose prevalence is on the rise in UK. They belong to the taxonomy group called Acarina, together with spiders, mites and scorpions.
RISK TIMES & AREAS
Ticks are more prevalent in areas of high livestock and/or wildlife density, typically in rural areas such as forests, woods and areas of grassland such as heath and moorland. Some areas of the UK are often referred to as tick ‘hot spots’ such as the New Forest, Exmoor, the South Downs, Thetford Forest, the Lake District, the North Yorkshire Moors, and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. However, there can be localised ‘hot spots’ in many areas.
While tick bites are generally more of a risk April – November they can be active at temperatures as low as 3.5°C. They use plant debris to shelter in during cold weather and as our winters get warmer it is increasingly likely to see incidences and populations increase.
Although not every tick carries disease, immediate removal of an attached tick is recommended. The longer a tick is allowed to feed, the more organisms can pass into the bloodstream of the host. Regular checks will also help to find them before they have had a chance to attach and feed. Use a safe method of tick removal such as a tick hook.
The full article with advice and recommended guidelines is in our July issue on sale from Friday 28th June - to order a copy, contact our Subscriptions Team on: Telephone 01722 716997