Summertime is tick time
With the rising temperatures, tick season is starting again. The activity of the parasites increases until June before decreasing in the hot and dry summer months. There will be a second peak in autumn. Depending on the region, they are carriers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and the dreaded TBE, and are equally dangerous for humans and horses.
The tick loves it warm and moist, prefers the edges of streams, forest clearings and especially grasses and plants on the edges of the paths. Especially in summer, horses are particularly at risk when riding and spending time in the pastures. The very popular idea that ticks fall from trees is not true. The tick climbs plants (with larvae up to 25 centimeters, nymphs up to 50 centimeters and adult ticks up to 1.5 meters high) and can be stripped from a host. The tick then looks for a part of the body with thin skin that is particularly warm and the bite occurs there.
Tick protection for your horse
Therefore, a tick repellent (a so-called repellent, such as cdVet ZeckEx) should be used before every ride or stay outdoors.
The horse should also be thoroughly checked for ticks after every visit to the forest and meadows. Ticks should be removed as quickly as possible, using special tick tweezers or a tick card. If removed improperly or delayed, the risk of pathogens passing from the tick to the horse increases.
Nature offers us a variety of opportunities to protect our animals appropriately. As a rule, these natural defense measures involve a small amount of additional effort, but are certainly effective and are much more tolerable for animals, people and the environment.
Especially in summer, the horse's skin is exposed to increased stress. Not only ticks but also flies, horseflies and mosquitoes attack the horse. Here, feed supplements with tailored recipes can support skin metabolism and strengthen the resistance of skin cells. This not only improves the skin environment, but also the horse's well-being.
