Journal of Veterinary Science & Medicine
Review Article
A Review on the Major Ectoparasites of Equines
Habtamu Alemayehu, Tewodros Alemneh, and Melaku Ayelign
1Fogera District Livestock and Fisheries Resources Development
Office, South Gondar Zone, Woreta, Ethiopia
2Woreta Town Office of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, South Gondar Zone, Woreta, Ethiopia
3Gondar City Administration, City Services Provision and Administration Office, Gondar, Ethiopia
2Woreta Town Office of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, South Gondar Zone, Woreta, Ethiopia
3Gondar City Administration, City Services Provision and Administration Office, Gondar, Ethiopia
*Address for correspondence: Tewodros Alemneh, Woreta Town Office of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, South Gondar Zone, Woreta, Ethiopia. E-mail id: tedyshow@gmail.com
Submission: 10 November, 2025
Accepted:01 December, 2025
Published:05 December, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Alemayehu H, et al. This is an open access article
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords:Ectoparasites; Equines; Lice; Mites; Flies; Ticks; Treatment;
Control
Abstract
Equines, including horses, mules and donkeys, play a significant role in agriculture,
transportation, and recreation worldwide. Their health and well-being are paramount,
not only for their welfare but also for the economic interests of their owners and
the broader equine industry. Ectoparasites, which are organisms that live on the
exterior of their host, pose major health risks to equines by causing direct damage,
transmitting diseases, and leading to considerable economic losses. Ectoparasites,
including lice (Bovicola and Haematopinus spp.), mites (Sarcoptes and Psoroptes spp.),
flies (such as mosquitoes and stable flies), and ticks (notably Ixodes and Dermacentor
spp.) have significant impact on equine health. The importance of integrated pest
management strategies, which include chemical control, biological control, and
environmental management, is emphasized as a holistic approach to minimizing the
burden of ectoparasites in equine populations. Furthermore, the development of
resistance to conventional antiparasitic treatments necessitates the exploration of
alternative therapeutic options and preventive measures. By increasing awareness and
understanding of these ectoparasites, equine practitioners and owners can implement
effective strategies to enhance equine health and productivity. Therefore, this review
aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most significant ectoparasites
affecting equines, detailing their life cycles, paths of transmission, clinical impacts, and
approaches to control and management.
