Vet Guide: Preventing and Controlling Mange in Horses 🐴🦠 | 2025 Types, Symptoms & Treatment Options
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🦠 Vet Guide: Preventing and Controlling Mange in Horses | 2025 Types, Symptoms & Treatment Options 🐴
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
Mange isn’t just a problem for dogs—it can affect horses too. While rare, equine mange is a **highly contagious skin disease** caused by mites. Left untreated, it leads to **intense itching, hair loss, secondary infections**, and even weakness. 🐎⚠️
In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore the different types of mange in horses, how to spot the signs early, and the most effective ways to treat and prevent this condition—especially in barns with multiple horses. 🧠🧴
🔍 What Is Mange in Horses?
Mange is a skin disease caused by **microscopic mites**. These parasites burrow into or live on the skin, triggering inflammation, itching, and crusting. It’s less common in horses than in dogs—but when it does occur, it can be severe and highly contagious. 🦠
Key Symptoms of Mange:
- 😖 Intense itching and rubbing
- 🧱 Hair loss with scabs or crusts
- 💥 Skin thickening and secondary infections
- 📉 Weight loss or general weakness (if left untreated)
Signs typically begin in localized areas and spread across the body if not treated. 🧪
📋 Types of Mange in Horses
1. 🔥 Sarcoptic Mange (The Most Severe)
This highly irritating form of mange causes **severe itching and intense scratching**. Lesions typically start around the **head, neck, and shoulders**. Horses may rub themselves raw on fences or stall walls. ❌
- 🧠 Hard to detect early without a microscope
- 🩺 Zoonotic – can spread to humans
- 🧪 Diagnosed via skin scraping
2. 🧬 Psoroptic Mange
- 📍 May look like an allergy at first
- 💥 Still contagious and uncomfortable
3. 🦵 Chorioptic Mange (Leg Mange)
Commonly seen in **draft breeds** or any horses with long feathers around the fetlocks, this form of mange causes **thick crusts, hair loss**, and itching on the **lower legs**. 🐴
- 🧽 Often complicated by bacterial or fungal infection
- ✂️ Requires clipping of hair for treatment access
🧪 How Mange Is Diagnosed
A definitive diagnosis is made by your vet through **skin scrapings**, which are examined under a microscope. This confirms the **type of mite**, which helps guide treatment. 🔬
In early cases, mites can be difficult to find—so diagnosis often relies on **clinical signs** and **response to treatment**. 🧠
💊 Treatment Options for Mange
Standard Treatments Include:
- 🧴 **Topical insecticides** (permethrin, lime sulfur dips)
- 💉 **Oral or injectable ivermectin** (under vet direction)
- 🧼 **Clipping affected areas** to improve medication access
- 💊 **Antibiotics or antifungals** for secondary infections
Treatment may need to be repeated weekly and all **contact horses should be treated simultaneously** to prevent re-infection. 🔁
⚠️ Mange Is Contagious—Protect Others
Mange mites can spread between horses, to tack, and even to **humans in some cases** (especially sarcoptic mange). Always: 🚨
- 🧴 Disinfect grooming tools, halters, blankets, and stalls
- 🐴 Isolate infected horses if possible
- 🧤 Wear gloves during treatment and wash hands thoroughly
If your horse is itching or rubbing excessively, don’t assume it’s allergies—**contact your vet** to rule out mange or other infections. 🩺
📲 Use Ask A Vet for Skin & Itch Consults
The Ask A Vet app helps you track skin symptoms and get fast answers when your horse is uncomfortable:
- 📸 Upload photos of skin lesions for evaluation
- 🧪 Get treatment guidance for mange and secondary infections
- 📋 Ask about lime sulfur dips, ivermectin dosing, or clip prep
- 🔁 Monitor skin improvement over time
Early treatment = faster recovery and less spread. 🐴📲
✅ Mange Management Takeaways
- 🦠 Mange is caused by mites and can be **severe in horses**
- 🐴 Sarcoptic mange is most intense and can spread to people
- 🦵 Chorioptic mange affects draft breeds and hairy legs
- 🧴 Treat with insecticides, ivermectin, and wound care
- 📱 Use Ask A Vet for help diagnosing and managing itchy horses
📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston
Mange is rare but serious—and it spreads fast. If your horse is itching, rubbing, or developing scabs, don’t wait. **Quick identification and treatment protect not just one horse, but your whole herd.** 🧠💙
Download the Ask A Vet app today to evaluate itchy skin, discuss mange treatment, and prevent reinfection across your barn. 🐎📱
