Warmer weather brings swallows and lice

Welcome visitors

Warmer weather and April signals the return of swallows from South Africa to our stable yards in Ireland and the UK. We asked for first sightings to be recorded and so far we’ve had two on Saturday, 2nd April in West Sussex and Leicestershire, one on Sunday, 3rd on the coast in Co. Wexford, two on Monday, 4th in Aberdeenshire and Wrexham, North East Wales and another today in Co. Kildare. None yet at our own stables but we look forward to seeing these little jet plane like birds who will hopefully bring spring and summer with them. My mother has an old saying she often quotes: ‘One swallow does not a summer make’. You never know what you’re going to get in Ireland but it’s always heartening to see the swallows and house martins return.

Unwelcome visitors

We’ve had several enquiries about coping with lice on horses and ponies. Unfortunately eggs hatch out in warmer weather and cause itching and discomfort for equines and other animals like cattle. Lice are often common on horses which are run down or in need of worming. Spring is always a good time to worm your horse as red worms also start multiplying. Use an ivermectin paste to worm or ask your local stockist for advice.

It’s a good idea to wash and disinfect your rugs and brushes also if your horse or pony has lice to stop them spreading. Usually lice appear in the mane and at the top of the tail so have a good look if your horse is scratching. Deosect was recommended on our Facebook page by one owner and she used it again one week later to kill off any more lice that hatched since the first treatment. It is apparently available to buy on the internet. Another owner recommended a lice treatment which is used by farmers for cows so it is worth asking about this in your local store as agricultural items are often cheaper than equine ones.

If all else fails and you can’t get rid of the lice, consult your vet. The lice treatment we used some years ago on a pony which came into our yard from elsewhere crawling with them is now only available through a vet. Unfortunately the powder you buy in tack shops, although less toxic, may not always be strong enough.