askHELTIE HELTIEhorse® Do only horses with feathering suffer from mites?

Do only horses with feathering suffer from mites?

Mites are troublesome parasites that can cause a lot of discomfort for horses. The most well-known are leg mites, which are commonly found in horses with heavy feathering, such as draft horses and Friesians. However, horses without feathering can also suffer from a mite infestation!

Skin

Mites

7 January '26 • 2 min reading time

Not only horses with feathering are affected by mites. Mites can infest all horses, regardless of coat colour or markings. In fact, they are sometimes easier to spot on light-coloured coats or on areas with little hair, such as the legs of a warmblood. Nevertheless, mites occur more frequently in horses with a lot of hair on their legs. Mites thrive in warm, moist environments, and thick feathering provides the perfect hiding place. Additionally, a mite infestation is often detected later in horses with heavy feathering. This gives mites more time to multiply and cause damage to the skin. In short: mites can occur in all horses.

Damage and CPL caused by mites

Mites in horses are most common in autumn and winter and can cause itching, scabs and hair loss. They do not only itch; they also burrow into the upper layer of the skin. This results in skin damage and reduced skin resistance, allowing bacterial infections to develop more easily. This is often confused with mud fever. Mud fever can occur on its own, but is often (partly) caused by mites. A mite infestation also increases the risk of cellulitis (lymphangitis) and damage to the lymph vessels in the legs. Over time, this can lead to the painful condition CPL (Chronic Progressive Lymphedema), in which horses develop thickened folds, nodules and cracks, especially on the lower legs. Damage to the lymphatic system is irreversible, making mite prevention extremely important for healthy horse legs.

Mites on legs, head and back

As mentioned above, the most common mite affecting horses in the Netherlands and Belgium is the leg mite (Chorioptes equi). This mite loves thick feathering with warm, moist pastern areas underneath. However, other types of mites can also cause problems in horses, particularly on the head or back. Feathering is not the only invitation for mites to settle on your horse. Horses with already compromised skin are also more susceptible. Therefore, regularly check your horse’s skin and coat, especially the legs and pasterns. This is particularly important for horses that have a lot of contact with other (possibly infected) horses and during wet or muddy conditions. Be aware that a thick straw bedding is also a favourite hiding place for mites.

Prevention and control

Because mite infestations increase the risk of cellulitis, lymph vessel damage and even CPL, mites should always be treated thoroughly and effectively. If your horse suffers from a severe mite infestation, contact your veterinarian and follow their instructions carefully. To break the mite life cycle, multiple treatments are necessary, as the eggs can survive for a long time. Natural treatment options are also possible – feel free to contact us for advice. In addition, it is important to support your horse’s resistance and balance, for example with an extract from the clove plant. The compounds in this plant also have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. To prevent mites from settling on your horse, you can use an herbal supplement that makes your horse less attractive to these parasites. This supplement is simply added to the feed.

Also interesting;

Cannabinoids

Skin

Clove

Mites

Stamping in the winter. A well-known phenomenon in horses, especially in horses with a lot of hair on their legs. Especially when the weather is damp and muggy, and horses stand in the mud more often, it is often a recurring problem. Mites! How do you treat it and especially how do you get rid of it as soon as possible?

Mites in horses, start treatment as soon as possible!

Stamping in the winter. A well-known phenomenon in horses, especially in horses with a lot of hair on their legs. Especially when the weather is damp and muggy, and horses stand in the mud more often, it is often a recurring problem. Mites! How do you treat it and especially how do you get rid of it as soon as possible?. Mites occur in all types of horses Customers often think that their horse cannot have mites because it is a warmblood and does not have socks. This is perhaps the biggest misconception about mites. All horses can be affected by mites, but one horse may be more sensitive to them than another. It is possible that a horse carries mites without showing any symptoms. However, horses with socks are more sensitive to mites, and horses with Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) are also more sensitive. T...

Lymphatic system

Mites

Itching, scratching, stamping, rubbing, and scratching: horses with thick stockings seem to suffer more often from parasites on their legs, such as mites. The resulting skin problems, mud fever, and sometimes even CPL are also more common in cold-blooded horses. Why is this? And what can you do about these annoying conditions?

Why mites and CPL are especially common in cold-blooded horses

Itching, scratching, stamping, rubbing, and scratching: horses with thick stockings seem to suffer more often from parasites on their legs, such as mites. The resulting skin problems, mud fever, and sometimes even CPL are also more common in cold-blooded horses. Why is this? And what can you do about these annoying conditions?. Most draft horses and also Friesians have substantial feathering on their legs. This doesn't have to be a problem in itself, and feathering can actually be protective for the underlying skin. However, sometimes all that hair has a concealing effect. You don't notice skin issues as easily when there is a thick coat of hair covering it. Additionally, feathers are warm and provide a good hiding place for parasites. As a result, you might only notice conditions like mud fever or a mite infection whe...

Lymphatic system

Mites

Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) is a chronic, progressive condition affecting a horse’s legs. It often appears alongside a mite infestation — but why is that?

CPL and Mites: Why Do These Problems Often Occur Together?

Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) is a chronic, progressive condition affecting a horse’s legs. It often appears alongside a mite infestation — but why is that?. The tendency to develop CPL is largely genetic. Cold-blooded breeds, as well as Friesians, are particularly susceptible, while warmbloods such as KWPN horses are rarely affected. However, whether a horse actually develops CPL depends mainly on management factors — and especially on mites! Breed-specific susceptibility Certain breeds are very prone to CPL, such as the Belgian Draft Horse. Other draft breeds and Tinkers are also commonly affected. In CPL, the lymph vessels in the legs become damag...

Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .