Botflies are some of the most annoying pests your horses contend with. They’re parasites and flies all rolled up into one unfortunate package. When it comes to the health and well-being of your horses, botflies can cause all kinds of problems. With fall right around the corner, botflies are out in full force and looking for any opportunity to lay their eggs. What can you do to combat these troublesome pests? From regular horse grooming to using natural horse dewormers, you have options.
The Botfly Basics
Botlfies are subtle parasites. They don’t bite or attack. Their goal is to find a horse and land somewhere safe on its coat. Once they’ve found a good spot, they lay their eggs and then fly away. At that point, the lifecycle of the adult botfly is essentially over. At the same time, the lifecycle of the fresh botfly eggs is just beginning.
The eggs of the common botfly can be yellow or gray/yellow. At a glance, they can look like tiny grains of rice attached to the ends of horse hairs. While attached to a horse’s coat, they’re generally harmless. However, things change when the horse nuzzles or licks an “infected” patch of hair. The eggs and larvae can easily enter their nostrils and mouth. This is when the problems can start.
Why Botflies Are a Big Deal
Botfly eggs or larvae can remain in your horse’s system for months. They can live in the upper respiratory system, mouth, and stomach. Part of their lifecycle includes entering the horse’s stomach, where they attach to the animal’s stomach lining or mucus membranes. Once attached to the stomach lining, they can mature and disrupt your horse’s well-being.
Internally, these parasites have the potential to cause all kinds of problems. In some horses, botfly larvae can cause digestive issues, and horses may show signs of intestinal distress. Parasites can also trigger instances of colic behavior and weight maintenance issues. Horses may struggle to keep on weight or seem generally distressed.
What You Can Do
There are a few steps you can take to mitigate botfly outbreaks among horses. The first is to monitor your horses for potential botfly egg infestation. During the height of botfly season, daily targeted grooming can be a great way to minimize potential infestation and infection. There are dedicated grooming tools you can use to help remove eggs, like bot egg knives or bot stones.
Routine standard grooming can be beneficial, as well. Regular grooming can help keep your horse’s coat free from botfly eggs and other potential parasites. Remember to thoroughly clean all grooming tools after each session to avoid accidental recontamination. On top of this, routine washes with warm water can also help minimize potential egg infestation.
Another step you can take is to make horse supplements, like natural dewormers, a regular part of your horse’s wellness routine. Natural horse dewormers can help support your horse’s internal wellness. Better yet, they can help make it more difficult for parasites to take hold and thrive within their system. With the help of a natural deworming regimen, parasites can simply pass through your horse’s system before they’re able to cause potential issues.
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