In addition to providing honest advice, we at AskHELTIE believe it's important to have a wealth of information available for horse owners. This way, you can expand your knowledge and help your horse to the best of your ability. Together, we ensure that horses come a little closer to nature.
Lymphatic system
Mites
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...
Skin
Lymphatic system
Mites
What skin problems occur on horses' legs?
Scabs, spots, wounds and flakes: horses regularly have itchy legs. The question is then: what could it be? And above all: what can you do about it? An overview.. Whether you have a KWPN horse with white legs or a Clydesdale with thick socks, every horse can have some spots on its legs. There can be several causes for itching, scabs, and wounds on horse legs: Mud Fever Mites Rain Rot Fungal and Bacterial Infections Mud Fever Mud fever is a general term for skin irritation or inflammation, usually in the pastern area or lower legs. Symptoms include redness, flakes, wounds, scabs, swelling, itching, and/or pain. Mud fever can be caused by bacteria and fungi...
Mites
Feeding
Good horse nutrition is important for mites
When your horse is bothered by mites, it is useful to tackle that problem through multiple routes at the same time. The brushes, blankets, and environment of your horse need to be clean, your horse needs to be treated for mites, skin and resistance can use support, and it is important that your horse eats as healthily as possible. You can read about that in this article.. The health of a horse is largely dependent on the health of its gastrointestinal system. Digestion is one of the most important bodily processes for horses, and they are therefore very sensitive to disruptions in the digestive tract. A healthy bacteria population in the small intestine, cecum, and most importantly the colon of your horse is essential. Microbiome The bacteria, fungi, and yeasts in a horse's intestines are called the microbiome. That name indicates that it is actually a whole ecos...
Mites
Which stable floor for horses sensitive to mites?
Stamping, rubbing, and biting in the legs: Mites in horses are especially a problem in autumn and winter. In horses that are kept outdoors, mite infestations can occur due to a wet and muddy ground, but in horses that are also stabled, the bedding is often a significant factor. Which stable floor is best for horses sensitive to mites?. Mites are spider-like insects that are not visible to the naked eye. They thrive in moisture and warmth. Therefore, socks of cold-blooded and Friesian horses are often a favorite habitat for mites. But mites can also be found in straw and hay. Straw, flax, or sawdust? Mites can come from straw. So, if your horse spends a lot of time in the stable and is sensitive to mites, it may be useful to choose a different bedding. When using sawdust or flax in the stable, the risk of mite infestation is mu...
Detox
Mites
Why does my horse have a mite infestation?
As the days get shorter and winter begins, many horses face an annual problem: mites! How does your horse get a mite infection? And can a mite infestation be prevented?. Stamping, rubbing, scabs, and sometimes even swollen legs: an infection with mites is no fun for your horse. During the winter months, when horses spend more time in the stable, these pesky parasites often strike. What are mites? Mites are tiny creatures that like to nest on horse's legs. They resemble little spiders. Mites are especially at home on horses with long socks. The Chorioptes mite, the type of mite that is common in horses in the Netherlands, causes itching, scabs, and irritation. Ho...
Skin
Mites
Does my horse have mud fever or mites?
Your horse is stamping its feet, has crusts in the fetlock pits, or keeps rubbing its legs... What could be the issue? Some say: mud fever! Others call out: mites! But what's actually the difference? And what should you do if your horse has mud fever and/or mites?. Mud fever is a collective term for various skin conditions above the hoof, in the fetlock pit, and on the lower legs. You may see crusts or small wounds and your horse often has itching. Although itching is not always present. Mites are parasites that reside in the socks and complete their entire life cycle, from egg to adult mite, there. Mud Fever and CPL The term mud fever is used for different conditions and does not provide much information about the cause and severity of the ailment. Mud fe...
Weight
Skin
Mites
Sweet itch
Oh no, my horse is rubbing!
As the weather gets warmer, the horses are out in the grass and the insects are emerging from their eggs, the headache for many horse owners resurfaces. Especially Friesians and draft horses are affected: rubbing and damaging the mane and tail. What can you do to prevent this?. Itching is of course very annoying. And it is not fun to watch as your horse feels so uncomfortable that he constantly wants to scratch at fences, stall doors, water buckets, or even at you as the owner. Especially when that lush mane or beautiful full tail starts falling out or your horse injures himself to the point of bleeding. Itch course There are several causes of itching and rubbing. From sweet itch caused by midges, to too much sugar in the diet and skin conditions. We will go through th...
Cannabinoids
Skin
Clove
Mites
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...
Skin
Mites
Did you know that the feathers of the horse keep the legs dry?
Autumn, winter, mud and rain... The perfect combination for dirty, wet horse legs. Often, we have the tendency to shave off all the hair of horses. Trim the legs neatly, tidy up the beard, make the ears look nice, and so on. A sleek horse, looking neat without much hair, standing like a real model. But is it really wise to shave everything off?. Hair has a purpose! By now, it's (hopefully) common knowledge not to touch or shave off the whiskers of a horse. These whiskers are extremely important and serve a crucial function, preventing horses from bumping into things. But the hair in and around the ears also has a purpose: it prevents dirt and water from getting into the ears and protects them from external influences. Never cut/shave the ear shells, leave the hair on the inside intact! The same goes for the hair on the legs of horses, t...
Mites
**Note! The mite season is starting with horses**
Although we hope for many nice late summer days, autumn is becoming inevitable. And autumn means: mites! Those nasty little insects that live in your horse's socks, bite, drink blood, and cause a lot of discomfort and itching... Act in time and limit the discomfort for your horse.. Mites are very persistent. This is because the eggs remain viable for a long time and due to the life cycle of the mites. Did your horse itch last winter? Then there is a good chance that there are still eggs somewhere on his body. Those eggs hatch as soon as the temperatures start to drop. When autumn comes, that is. The larvae of the mite live close to your horse's skin, under the hairs. They eat skin flakes. Over time, the larvae turn into adult mites. And those mites, which look like small s...
Detox
Mites
Mite season approaching: do a detox!
Mites are troublesome insects that can cause a lot of itching and misery. Horses with thick socks, such as draft horses and Friesians, can suffer greatly from these pests. In the fall, mites start to emerge. Want to prevent crusts and itching as much as possible? Give your horse a detox before the mite season begins!. Mites become active when the temperature drops and horses start to grow their winter hair. They then crawl into the socks and thicker hair to keep warm. Mites usually start their activities in early October, when the temperature drops below 15 degrees. To ensure that your horse suffers as little as possible from itching, irritation, wounds, and crusts, give your horse a detox. Do this in time, before autumn begins. If the mites are already active, then you are too late. Prevention is the key wor...