Tick protection for horses – What are the options?

Summertime is tick season! As soon as the temperatures rise, these tiny arachnids become active again. And they’re not just a nuisance—they’re also a major threat to all horses that spend a lot of time outdoors.

But luckily, you’re not powerless! There are several effective ways to reliably protect your horse from ticks. That’s why this post explains why tick protection is so important for horses, how you can reduce the risk of a tick bite, and what to do if a tick does manage to bite your horse. Let’s get started!

Why is tick protection important for horses?

Tick protection for horses is important to minimize the risk of dangerous diseases. This is because ticks can transmit dangerous diseases, including

• Lyme disease
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Anaplasmosis
• TBE

Climate change is also bringing more and more species of ticks to our region, which may carry additional pathogens. 

These diseases can have a serious impact on your horse’s health. Some affected animals may never fully recover. That is why tick prevention should not be taken lightly.

Where are horses particularly at risk of being bitten by ticks?

Especially if your horse spends most of the day in the pasture or regularly accompanies you on long rides in the countryside, it is at increased risk of being bitten by a tick.

Ticks love warm, humid conditions. They tend to congregate near forests and streams, along the edges of paths, and in grass or undergrowth. From there, they allow themselves to be brushed off by a host and continue crawling around on the host for a while until they find the perfect spot to bite. They prefer areas of the body with thin skin that are sparsely haired and particularly warm; in horses, this often means

• on the head
• in the groin area
• in body folds
• on the legs.

Tick protection for horses – What are the options?

There are numerous tick repellents for horses available on the market. They range from chemical-based spot-on treatments prescribed by veterinarians to sprays, lotions, and natural alternatives. 

Choosing a tick prevention product is always a personal decision that depends on the animal itself, the region where it lives, and its habits. Ultimately, it is always a matter of weighing the risks, a decision that every pet owner should make for themselves.

Your natural companion during the summer months: Attack Protect Oil

Our Attack Protect Oil is your perfect companion for summer rides through forests and meadows. It is 100% natural and consists of 80% black cumin oil, 10% coconut oil, and 10% hemp and flaxseed oil. It can be mixed into the feed in drop form or administered undiluted. For every 100 kg of horse weight, give 2 drops of Attack Protect per day. Additionally, the oil can also be applied to the coat.

By the way, a bottle of Attack Protect contains 100 ml, which is about 2,800 drops. If your horse gets 10 drops a day, one bottle will last almost 10 months—enough for about two summers.

My horse was bitten by a tick – what should I do?

It’s important to know that no product offers 100% protection. That’s why you should check your pet thoroughly for ticks on a regular basis—ideally after every ride or time spent outdoors. 

If, despite all your precautions, a tick does bite you, you should remove it as soon as possible. This is because many pathogens are not transmitted until several hours have passed. Borrelia bacteria, which cause Lyme disease, are found in the tick’s gut and only enter the bloodstream after 12 to 24 hours of feeding. 

To remove the tick properly, it’s best to use special tick tweezers or a tick removal card. Be careful not to squeeze the tick, as this could force saliva or intestinal contents into the bite site, increasing the risk of transmitting pathogens to the animal. Afterward, check to make sure you’ve removed the tick completely—including the head and mouthparts—otherwise the bite site may become infected. Also, use an antiseptic spray to clean the bite.