The AAEP has a wealth of knowledge contained in its membership, and a task force was formed to put together guidelines to help veterinarians and horse owners understand the state-of-the art when it comes to the control of external parasites and vectors. The 54-page PDF is available for free from the AAEP, and it can be found HERE to download for your use.

The External Parasite and Vector Control Guidelines was created by the following task force members: Dennis French, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (chair); Tom Craig, DVM, PhD; Jerome Hogsette, Jr. PhD; Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, DVM; Linda Mittel, DVM, MSPH; Kenton Morgan, DVM, Dipl. ACT; David Pugh, DVM, MS, MAg, Dipl. ACT, ACVN, ACVM; and Wendy Vaala, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM.

Here is the introductory statement:

“Commonly used strategies for external parasite control in horses have not changed significantly in recent years. This document is intended to provide practitioners with current information regarding the control of Ticks, Flies, Lice, Mites and Mosquitoes as well as pertinent information on the life cycles, biology and basic terminology used when discussing these parasites. Where appropriate, we have included brief information regarding the diseases for which a specific parasite may serve as the vector.

“It is important to keep in mind that the information contained within these guidelines are suggestions; there are many variations of these suggested programs that will still meet the same goals and follow the same principles.
There are a number of product treatment charts included in this information. It should be noted that only those products which are approved for use in horses have been included.”

For more information you can contact the AAEP at 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511; 859-233-0147; www.aaep.org.