LICE ON HORSES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1553, 24 September 1912, Page 8

LICE ON HORSES.

TROUBLE IN THE'SOUTH ISLAND. In several portions of the South Island a pest of lico among horses and cattlo has been making its appearance, but most.ly among the horses. Usually, says the South , Island correspondent of the "farmers' Union Advocate," commenting onj the above 'matter, lica in horses are associated with.poor condition, but such is not necessarily the case this season. Horses good in condition.have been found to bo infested with lice, the first symptoms being a tendency of the animals to rub themselves more ,or less violently against -posts, or any object that happens .'to be handy. The- lico are fairly largo in size, and are of a slatey colour. They appear to dig their "forceps *' into the 'unfortunate animal, and to cause him a great deal of discomfort. The hair of tho affected horse.? is often full of eggs or nits, so that the troublo is not likely to end just yet. The general method of dealing with the, pest, is to wash liceinfested horses frequently in a mixture of' non-poisonous dip and water, in the ■■ proportions of about one part to eighty parts. Kerosene and poisonous sheep dips have also been used,- but with both remedies there is a danger of having tho hair come off. In fact, thore is a chance, if great care,is not exercised, of killing, not only lice, but tho horse also, in tho case of the careless use of. poisonous dips. 'As spring approaches, -the lice seem to thin out and to disappear of their own accord, but while they ar9 in possession tony cause a great.deal of annoyance to the horses and owners.