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
*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.