{"id":13630,"date":"2022-06-15T14:23:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T18:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=13630"},"modified":"2022-06-15T16:43:26","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T20:43:26","slug":"mange-in-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/mange-in-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"Mange in Horses: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment,\u00a0&\u00a0More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mange is a skin and coat condition that’s caused by mites and results in skin discomfort and hair loss.<\/strong> It’s not seen frequently in horses, but the right conditions can result in a mite infestation that requires aggressive treatment to resolve. At the heart of the issue with mange is the fact that it can be caused by multiple species of mites and each type of mite causes a specific type of mange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All cases of horse mange cause the same type of symptoms in horses<\/strong>: relentless itching that causes a horse to scratch constantly, resulting in scabs, hair loss<\/a>, and thickening or scarring of the skin. If it’s left untreated, mange will eventually spread over the entire body of a horse and leave them in a weakened state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to get on top of a mite infestation as soon as you suspect there’s something going on with your horse’s skin. Horses who have mange may require additional treatment for the sores and scabs left behind in order to help the skin heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mange used to be known as a reportable disease<\/em>, which means that the federal government had to be informed when a veterinarian identified a case of mange. That requirement was ended in 2006 due to the fact that mange has become rare in horses in the U.S. through the use of anthelmintics<\/em>. Anthelmintics, or de-wormers, are highly effective against mites and are one of the treatments used against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to keep in mind that early mange in horses can be mistaken for another skin condition. So, you’ll want to get a veterinarian’s opinion on the cause of your horse’s itchy situation as soon as possible to prevent further coat damage and provide relief from the relentless irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you’ll find more information on what mange is, the different types of mange, symptoms to watch out for, along with prevention and treatment. As always, the information in this article is to be used as educational purposes only and you should always consult your veterinarian when it comes to your horse’s health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What Causes Mange in Horses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As previously mentioned, all cases of mange in horses are caused by mites<\/strong>. A horse usually picks up the mites by grazing in an area that contains a colony of mites. When the mites detect there is a suitable host in the vicinity, they launch themselves onto the horse and take hold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mites can also be transmitted from one horse to another when they come into close contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the mites have found their way onto the horse, they begin to bite and\/or burrow into the skin to make a home for themselves. These actions cause intense itching and raised bumps. The horse’s scratching actions can cause these bumps to break open and bleed, and they eventually scab over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a general rule, horses and mites rarely connect with one another due to the development of anti-parasitic medications, but it’s not unheard of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"mange<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Different Types of Mange in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The following is a look at the different types of mange mites and how they affect your horse’s skin and hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Chorioptic Mange (Legs)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is the most common type of mange found in horses<\/strong>, with draft horses being most at risk of infestation. It’s also known as leg mange because it affects the legs of horses. Draft horses are most likely to pick up the Chorioptes bovis<\/em> mite on their legs due to their feathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies or Body Mange)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It’s rare for horses to have sarcoptic mange, but it’s not unheard of. This type of mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabies<\/em> var equi<\/em> mite. It’s the most severe type of mange a horse can have, and it’s caused by hypersensitivity to the saliva and feces of the mite. Lesions first appear on the head, neck, and shoulders, while areas with long hair (manes and tails) are usually left alone by the mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Psoroptic Mange (Mane)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is one of the rarest types of mange in horses<\/strong> and has actually been eliminated in the United States. Psoroptic mange is caused by two types of mites that include Psoroptes ovis<\/em> and P cuniculi. <\/em>These mites are found infesting the forelock, mane, the base of the tail, between hindlegs, and udders. These mites prefer to take up residence in areas that are covered by thick hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Demodectic Mange<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This type of mange is also rare<\/strong>. It’s caused by Demodex equi<\/em> mites living in the oil glands and hair follicles of the eyelids and muzzle of a horse. The signs of a demodex mite infestation appear on the head, neck, shoulders, and front legs. A horse with demodectic mange presents with skin lumps, patchy areas of hair loss, and scaly skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Harvest Mites (Chiggers)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    These mites are usually found on other mammals, but they’re not averse to infesting horses. They cause relentlessly itchy bumps and hives that have no specific treatment (although medication can control the itching). The signs of infestation appear in the late summer and fall, which gives the harvest mite its name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Straw Itch Mites (Forage Mite)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The straw itch mite lives and feeds off straw and grain. An infestation occurs when a horse comes into contact with bedding and feed that’s contaminated by these mites. The signs of a straw mite infestation appear as bumps and hives on the muzzle, face, neck, and legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"mange<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Signs and Symptoms of Mange in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most types of mange produce a common response of severe itching and discomfort<\/strong> in affected horses, while other types produce a condition that’s not immediately recognizable as mange. Chorioptic mites, for example, cause a condition known as “greasy heel” that manifests as itchy skin, loss of hair, and thickening of the skin<\/strong>. In contrast, trombiculoid mites, which are found living on plants, bite the lips, face, and feet of grazing horses with the bites causing itchy bumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You may not always spot the signs of early mange in horses. Horses are always looking to scratch an itch, and some tend to be itchier than others. However, mange puts them to their limits not long after infection, and they’ll engage in extreme scratching behavior<\/strong>. They’ll bite and rub their skin constantly and create hot spots that they won’t leave alone. These spots eventually lose hair<\/a> and can form blisters and sores that weep and crust over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You won’t be able to see the mites with your naked eye<\/strong>, but you can get a good sense of what’s causing your horse to itch so badly. Check the itchy area for signs that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n