Reaction to EquiSpot-now what to use for ticks?

[cwg]

My horse just had a reaction to EquiSpot - hives and severe skin irritation - and the vet said no more EquiSpot. I live in the Northeast and we have ticks through Dec. My other horse has had Lyme. Does anyone have something they use topically that is good for a horse with sensitive skin?

[LittleblackMorgan]

Did you read the warnings on that stuff? I used to buy it for my pony. Says not to get into domestic water, it kills fish and wildlife, poison to domestic animals...arent horses domestic now? Scared me so I stopped using it.

[roki143]

Don't know if the active ingredients are any different, but I had good luck with Freedom 45... and no reactions from my ultra-sensitive TBs.

[trubandloki]

Did you read the warnings on that stuff? I used to buy it for my pony. Says not to get into domestic water, it kills fish and wildlife, poison to domestic animals...arent horses domestic now? Scared me so I stopped using it.


You should probably not read the labels and MSD sheets on most things then if something with a warning like that scares you.

[FLeckenAwesome]

The Frontline spray works well for my guys :) Just don't dose it like you would a 1200 lb dog!! Hee hee... I usually do it every 2 weeks during the bad tick season and spray about 20 squirts on each horse.

[fivehorses]

anything with permethrin in it will kill ticks. many bug sprays have this ingredient in it. it must be permethrin, not pyrethrin.

[Penthilisea]

Ovitrol, which is the frontline spray stuff. Works great on ticks and all manner of bugs and flies!

[elctrnc]

My two horses had reactions to the Equispot as well. Significant swelling where it was applied. Freedom 45 does not cause a reaction. Both Equispot and Freedom have the same percentage of Permethrin, but the Equispot also has citronella oil.

[easyrider]

One of my horses also had a reaction to Equispot. He didn't to Duraguard, which does an excellent job of warding off the ticks here in NW CT. Don't know if you'll have the same experience, but good luck finding something that works.

[walkinthewalk]

Repel-X does work to keep the ticks off if it's mixed to ratio for ticks on the instructions.

However, I noticed my horses developing an aversion to the spray bottle after a couple weeks. I quit spraying them with that strong ratio and they quit trying to worm away from the spray bottle.

Deep Woods Off for people works great, but it may get pricey to use if you are spraying more than one horse.

All four of my horses had a reaction to Ovitrol where I patch-tested it on them. On the Ovitrol plus side, it is working wonders to keep my barn cats flea and tick free.