[Maydiddie]

So we finally got our stuff up and running and we wound up taking on a rescue horse.. and let me tell you Im not too worried about the ****** its something that can be fixed but Im completely appauled..

So he's housed on the other side of the farm, but lice... how do you treat it? We just wormed him with Zimectrin and I put some delousing powder on him that they recommended at the feed store. I didnt brush him right after though I let it set and then today I went and brushed him down good, it didnt say on the packaging what to do for sure.. so Im wondering if I messed up and just waisted the dust?

And another thing.. should he be shaved? he's obviously quite underweight still, and is quite fluffy from the poor nutrition but its not quite full out summer where its nice and warm for him if I do shave him.... I planned on treating him again in 10 days...

and can I get it from him? is it transmissible from horse to person?

Just making sure Im covering all my bases and unfortunately large animal vets around here seem to be a pain in the butt to get ahold of on the weekends so any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[4horsem0m]

Sounds like you did the right thing. I bought a horse in that condition and I powered him once a week for 4 weeks, as per the vet's instructions. He had lice and nits everywhere you parted his hair. If I remember right, it seems like Ivermectin also works on lice, but I may be mistaken.

It is not transmissible from horse to human, you may find one on you, but they are species specific and will not live on you (as per the vet.)

I also would not shave him (unless he is way to hot). Mine was the same and as soon as his nutrition improved, he started letting loose of his winter coat.

This is what he looked like when I got him, and then less than three months later!! I got him three years ago on May 4th.

[Maydiddie]

[HorseGurly143]

How long after the powder did you brush him? Like, an hour or 24 hours? If it was at least a day after, I think it is ok, but I could be wrong. As for the shaving, how warm is it where you are? If it is above 70 in the day, and probably 50 at night, I think it would be ok, but any colder and I wouldn't do it. Remember, that coat is really all that is keeping him warm, seeing as he doesn't have alot of fat on him. Definitely make sure to bleach your brushes before you brush any other horses though. I am pretty sure that you can't get lice from your horse though.

[Maydiddie]

it was 24 hours between atleast.... and I dont cross my tack... each horse has their own set of brushes/pads etc.... but thanks for the advice.. and those pics I posted of him were just today.... after 3 days of brushing him and trying to clean him up.... but atleast he's getting used to me

[tatertots]

I just went through this same deal with my little filly Tori, Ivermectrin kills lice. Be sure to give any other horses on your property a dose of Ivermectrin to kill off any they may get from it. You might unknowingly carry some to them on your clothes. Lice can live off of it's host for 24-48 hours and some people even say three days.

Also you can go to the store and get yourself Livestock & Premisise Insecticide Concentrate, it is made by Manna Pro and it only cost appx $20.00, kills the lice instantly and you will need to rewash in 7-10 days to kill off any nits(eggs) that will hatch.

The spray works much better than any powder, is quicker, and easier.
Also you cannot "get" lice from your horse, they are species specific, just do a google search and you will find plenty of research.
Also there are two types of lice. One is the Biting lice, it is white and easier to see, it is found in the mane and forelock areas, in extreme cases can be found over the entire body also.

Second is the sucking lice, it is brown, and is harder to see, it is generally found over the entire body.

I shaved my filly, she had the same type of coat as your little horse.
You need to get that hair off because the lice love to live in that as well as rain rot wich may be hiding underneath of all that hair. Just go to the tack store and pick up a sheet for the horse for at night. I just lock Tori in the stall at night to keep her warm.

Other than getting rid of the lice I would get teeth checked, vaccinations up to date, wormed prorerly and start off slowly on good feed and free choice Timothy hay. This is what I have done with my filly Tori and she is already looking 100% better and starting to put some weight on.

Good luck, any questions feel free to ask.

[tatertots]

I was just looking at your pic of him and seen the hair on the ground, pick up all hair from him and place in a trash bag and burn it! The hair that comes off during brushing can contain nits and lice wich will spread.

Also he seems to have a pot belly wich would concern me about worms, I would start off slowly on a strongid or panacur wormer for a while before going to anything strong. If he is loaded with worms you can colic him or even kill him with a strong wormer. All the worms will die off very fast and cause blockages in his heart, artieres, and/or intestines. Please start off slow and you should be ok.

[tightpaycheck]

Ivermectrin will help only if it is sucking lice. I put the powder on a brush, and rubbed it in. Especially on their legs, uner their belly, ond on their faces. Make sure you also dust any tack that you use on that horse, and yes, the lice can easily hitch a ride from you to the other horses. They won't live on you, but can hang around on you for a while.

[Savy]

powder powder and brush. yeah you're doing the right thing. lice are no fun. there was a horse in beauty's pasture that got them once. so the vet reccomended i delice beauty. even though she didn't have any, she still came into contact.

[tatertots]

Ivermectrin for sucking lice and wash(as said above) for biting lice, worm and shave hair as I said before and you will be fine.