Ticks lurk everywhere our horses go, from the trail to the stables to the pasture. Most horses will get bitten by a tick during their lifetime, and there is a good chance they will contract a tick-borne infection. Many remain asymptomatic, but others suffer chronic illness after a tick bite. Learn about the most common tick-borne diseases in horses and how you can keep your horse safe.
Proper parasite prevention and health monitoring are essential parts of equine care. Explore a range of equine health products to help support your horse’s wellness.
Anaplasmosis in Horses
The most common tick-borne disease in horses is anaplasmosis. Anaplasmosis is transmitted by the deer tick, which is found across most of the United States.
In mild cases, anaplasmosis causes a high fever that begins around five days after infection and may last about a week. It also causes mild swelling in the limbs, loss of appetite, and impaired coordination. Mild cases may clear up within a few weeks without treatment. The infection is not contagious to humans or other horses. It can only be transmitted through deer tick bites.
Adult horses, especially seniors, are more susceptible to severe symptoms of anaplasmosis. They may develop jaundice, red spots on the whites of their eyes, and neurologic symptoms such as seizures or tremors. The infection is rarely fatal unless accompanied by a secondary infection.
Horses with anaplasmosis often appear to recover after a few weeks but may relapse later. Once fully recovered, they are typically immune to the bacteria for about two years.
Lyme Disease in Horses
The second most common tick-borne disease in horses is Lyme disease. As many as 75 percent of horses have antibodies that indicate they have been exposed to Lyme, but diagnosed symptomatic cases are relatively uncommon. However, milder winters have allowed tick populations to expand into more regions of the United States, and reports of Lyme disease in horses are increasing.
Lyme disease often goes undetected in horses. Though the tick must be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, it may fall off before it is noticed. Horses can develop the classic bulls eye shaped rash, but it may not be visible beneath their coat.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can imitate those of other conditions. Common signs may include:
- Joint stiffness and inflammation
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Laminitis
Joint inflammation related to Lyme disease can be intermittent and may shift from limb to limb. Lyme disease in horses typically responds well to antibiotics, although joint damage or neurologic symptoms may persist for months.
Supporting joint health may also be beneficial for horses experiencing inflammation. Many owners incorporate products from the joint supplements category as part of their horse’s wellness routine.
Equine Piroplasmosis or Babesiosis in Horses
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a tick-borne parasitic disease that is rarely seen in the United States. In 2020, just 23 cases were reported in the United States, almost all in Quarter Horse racehorses. However, the disease is more common in other parts of the world, so it is important to understand if you travel internationally with your horse.
Horses that contract the parasite typically develop symptoms within one to three weeks. Symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Poor appetite
- Trouble breathing
- A swollen belly
Piroplasmosis has been reported to be fatal in around 5 to 10 percent of horses. Horses living in countries where the disease is more common may have a better prognosis because they may receive antibodies from their mother or develop immunity through early life exposure.
Protect Your Horse From Tick-Borne Illnesses
Ticks thrive in tall grasses, woodpiles, shrubs, leaf piles, and other moist shaded areas. Keeping your property trimmed and uncluttered can help reduce tick habitat. Ticks acquire disease-causing bacteria by feeding on infected wildlife such as deer and mice, so reducing food sources for wild animals can also help limit tick activity around your barn.
To help reduce tick exposure around your horse:
- Keep pastures trimmed and clear of brush
- Remove leaf piles and debris where ticks may hide
- Store grain securely to avoid attracting wildlife
- Inspect your horse regularly for ticks after turnout or trail riding
When spending time in tick-infested areas is unavoidable, many horse owners rely on insect control products to help repel biting pests. Explore flea and tick pest control solutions at 1800PetMeds to help protect your horse from ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects.
