How to Identify Mange on Horses

According to the Merk Veterinary Manual, mange in horses is extremely rare in the United States. The three main types of mange exist. Sarcoptic Mange is the rarest, but most severe. Psoroptic Mange is not as uncommon as Sarcoptic, but is less severe. Chorioptic Mange, or Leg Mange, is sometimes found in the long leg hairs of heavy draft horses. Mange is caused by a microscopic parasitic infection of the horse's skin.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine if your horse is scratching and itching more than normal.

2. Check for lesions on your horse's head, neck and shoulders for Sarcoptic Mange and Psoroptic Mange, or along his legs for Chorioptic Mange. They will be small red papules that look like large pimples; if they have burst they will be reddish brown and crusted over with scabs.

3. Look for balding or hair loss around your horse's head, neck or shoulders for Sarcoptic Mange and Psoroptic Mange, or along his legs for Chorioptic Mange.

4. Let a vet take a skin scraping and look at it under a microscope. A vet is the only one who can officially diagnose mange and prescribe the proper medical treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Mange is highly contagious from direct and indirect contact. Isolate the infected horse, clean any tack or grooming supplies your horse may have come in contact with, and any tack or grooming supplies of other horses in the barn.

References

• The Horse
• Horse Mange
• Merk Veterinary Manual

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