Horse Health - Mosquitos

There are also some preventative steps to take with your horse. The Ohio State University recommends:

• House horses indoors during peak periods of mosquito activity, dusk to dawn.
• Avoid turning on lights inside the stable during the evening and overnight. Mosquitoes are attracted to lights.
• Remove all birds, including chickens, that are close to the stable.
• Look around the property periodically for dead birds, such as crows and reported to the local health department.  Use rubber gloves or a shovel for removal.
• Eliminate areas of standing water.
• Use fans on horses while in the stable to deter mosquitoes
• Don’t forget topical insect spray with mosquito repellent added.

According to the Texas Department of Sate Health Services and the Texas Department of Health 2007 has already brought its’ first case of West Nile in horses. Symptoms in humans and equine are similar. Watch for flu like symptoms, fever, headache, body aches, and in more severe cases, muscle weakness, coma and even death. Prevention is still the best medicine.

There are currently 4 vaccines available for our horse friends. Consult your veterinarian for the best approach to maintaining quality health for your horse. For more information contact the Texas Department of Health.