Control of Bovicola equi infestation in a herd of horses using an environmentally sustainable treatment protocol

In March 2024, a Slovenian warmblood gelding presented with severe pruritus and skin lesions throughout its head, neck and around the base of the tail. The owners had observed increased pruritus in multiple animals within the herd. After careful examination, Bovicola equi were found in all five horses, but not the pony. Horse owners requested an environmentally sustainable treatment plan, which consisted of (a) mechanical removal of lice by shaving and/or combing, (b) application of 0.2 g/horse (0.1 g/pony) neem extract, geraniol (0.5 g/horse, 0.25 g/pony) and diatomaceous earth (250 g/horse, 50 g/pony). Clinical signs ceased 1 week after the initial treatment, no lice were found after 3 weeks, and skin lesions resolved within 6 weeks. Although there was no control group to estimate the true efficiency of the described treatment, upon follow-up, all horses remained lice-free for at least 18 months after the last treatment.