Posts Tagged ‘ticks’

If you’ve ever showed up at your horse’s paddock to find him a tail rubbed raw and clumps of tail hair falling out, you know what it feels like. You want to cry, you want to scream, you want to be mad at him, but you know it’s not his fault, so you just quietly despair (or not so quietly, if you’re anything like me). You know how long it takes to have the precious hair grow back. FOREVER!

Spring is in full swing and if you live in an area known for ticks, guess what…The reason behind the sudden onslaught of tail rubbing might be ticks nested at the  base of your horse’s tail. Some horses have a mild allergic reaction to tick bites – like my gelding – and they get so itchy they just can’t help themselves.

Solution? No quickie here. It takes elbow grease, a wide tooth comb and a bit of time.  Especially if your horse’s tail is thick. Peeling a layer after a layer of hair and examining every bit and piece of your horse’s tail base is quite a detective work, but it has to be done (if you care about your horse’s tail enough that is). Signs that you’re getting close to finding one is a yellow like crumbs in the affected area.  Pluck the ticks you find out with a pair of tweezers.

And how do you prevent the tick infestation at the base of the tail in the first place? We’ve figured out that thorough, regular and generous application of our 100% Natural De-Stress Intensive Mane and Tail Treatment does a triple duty. It not only leaves your horse’s tail, radiant, smooth and tangle free, it also makes ticks stay away. Rubbing  De-Stress into the base of the tail also promotes healthy hair growth thanks to rosemary plant extract and Tee Tree Oil is a powerful antibacterial.

And did I mention that your horse will love you? He will make all kinds of funny approving faces and if he’s anything like my boy, he will come and stick his bum in your face to tell you : “mom can I have some more”?

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian

Spring is in full swing and with it comes my least favorite insect : TICKS. It’s right up there with horse flies. It’s important for our horse’s health that we check for them regularly and remove them speedily. 

Checking the base of the tail for ticks

Yesterday while brushing my horse’s tail I realized what a great tick removing tool is De-Stress – our Intensive Treatment for mane and tail. I always rub it in the base of the tail to moisturize the skin and encourage new healthy hair growth. After applying liberally and letting it soak in for several minutes I picked through his tail finding two ticks that let go. It can be often hard to find all the ticks on your horse’s thick tail dock or the base of the mane. When you apply De-Stress Intensive Treatment for mane & tail you’re not only making your horse’s tail go from dry and brittle to soft, silky and luminous; you’ll also get rid of those god damn crawling things from his tail. The fine oils and essential oil of Tea Tree suffocate the tick and the tick let’s go.I’m not a big fan of pulling out ticks with tweezers. I’m really afraid to leave the head behind inviting infection and this is a perfect way to ensure they let go head and all.

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian