New horse , lice infestation what do I do?

[Norah]

Hi everyone

I have a mare that arrived in Dec ...she looked bad , and her hair was dirty and matted . because of the cold weather I did not wash her , but took off her blanket , to "air " her out. Today i clipped her neck , and found an infestation of the sucking lice ...explaines her white blood count and starved look : ( along with the worms I might add. Here is the question:

Do I clip her after her treatment and rug her ?

Do I leave her hair long for another month, and wait for the weather to get better?

Do I clip her body where the lice are heavy , and rug her ?

I have a show in May , 10, 11 12 ,13 .....

her skin is a bloody mess , of soars bumps , and dry patches .... what can I do for this ?

I have been giving her an oil suppliment for skin and coat ...over 20 herbs and minerals even black sun flower seed oil , and her louce looks beautiful with a healthy glow : ( 50.CHF per bottle : ( : (

what do I do about the skin and the show ? any ideas ? what would YOU do?

 

[Sandee]

If you can get to a place where you can wash her, use the medicated shampoo for lice. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and clip maybe the next day or later in the day. You have to use the shampoo several times to be sure you get them all. Also give her wormer if you haven't already. Ivermectin will get some of the lice but the shampoo or dust (powder) is better and quicker. If it's cold reblanket until it warms up.

Of course don't use the same blanket again until it's washed in something to kill the lice on it. Don't want any eggs back on the horse.

Be sure to keep all brushes etc. seperate from any other horses or you'll spread the lice to them. As for the skin, maybe ask your vet for something to treat the area if it's large. Otherwise a human cream containing hydrocortizone on smaller areas will calm the itch and help it heal.

Good luck at your show.