A horse’s biggest enemy is a fly bite, especially during its peak season in the summer. Repeated fly bites on a horse’s belly can result in severe health problems including infections, rashes, diseases, and even death if this condition isn’t treated properly.
These health issues can differ depending on the fly bite a horse has sustained. Some types of flies can cause allergic reactions. Some flies also have different ways of infesting a horse: biting flies easily pierce through the animal’s skin and prey on their blood, while blowflies tend to lay eggs on their open wounds which leads to the hatching of maggots on the horse’s skin. Most flies target their bite on a horse’s belly or undersides, so identifying the different symptoms of mark bites can help prevent bad outcomes in the future for the animal.
It is important to do usual check-ups on your horse’s skin and coat to monitor and pinpoint anything unusual on their bodies. A range of symptoms may occur due to bites on a horse’s underside.
Symptoms of fly bites on a horse
When a fly bites a horse, their skin could develop a redness state in milder cases due to the slight irritation coming from the multiple bites. Leaving this untreated can cause the horse to rub continuously on the affected area, resulting in skin inflammation caused by itchiness and scabbing of the wound.
What to do about fly bites on a horse’s belly?
You should follow the steps below if your horse has fly bites on their belly:
- Apply ice packs to reduce the irritation and redness of the skin.
- Use water to clean out the wounds.
- Apply healing ointments creams to the infected area.
Below is the best healing ointment cream.
Your horse will experience temporary relief after performing this procedure, and you should closely monitor their wounds to ensure they do not worsen or develop an infection.
What to do if an infection occurs?
However, in the case that an infection does occur, you should contact and inform your local veterinarian immediately. When vets are informed of the animal’s situation, they can perform a medical examination to determine what type of infection the horse is experiencing.
Your vet might give your horse a skin biopsy which is used to identify the exact insect affecting their skin, and it will help them properly prescribe the proper medications for the horse’s sickness. The local vet can also prescribe antihistamines to lessen the effects of allergic reactions. It can be taken either through the mouth or be applied directly on their skin.
An insecticide can also be sprayed on the infected areas of the body as another medication; this can be used in bands or neck collars. It is also recommended that horse owners evaluate the current environment and surroundings that their animals are living in. This prevents them from being prone to sickness and fly bites.
How to prevent fly bites on horses?
You must ensure your horse’s stalls and horse stall mats are always kept clean and free from any insects. You can use fly repellents in their stalls, and you can also apply fly repellants directly to your horses skin. However, we should be wary depending on the type of spray used. Some horses may react sensitively to the kinds of repellents they are being treated with.
Horse owners might also opt for an alternative and purchase protective gear instead. This could be a neck collar or leg band with a built-in insect repellent. On the other hand, if a horse is still uncomfortable, there are more options, like creams and wipes available for use. It is also possible to invest in protective netting and belly covers to ensure the horses’ full body is protected. You should also clean your horse brushes frequently.
Lastly, the environment that surrounds the horse’s living situation is crucial to their health in the long run. In woodlands and forest areas, there are high concentrations of flies. If your horse lives in these conditions, your horse should wear protective gear when they venture out of their stalls.
Nevertheless, you can also use insecticides to disinfect and safeguard their stables when they remain indoors. You should also know that flies like to be near stagnant bodies of water. If there is a swampy, stagnant body of water near your stalls, you should limit the amount of time your horse spends near the water.
Conclusion
The key to prevent fly bites is to ensure your horse and its surroundings are always clean and well kept. If your horse does get horse bites on the belly, it is important to act fast.
