In the Cross Timbers Region of Texas, there is a real problem in the spring and summer with ear tick infestation of horses turned out in pastures containing Live Oak, Mesquite, and brush. A simple method of preventing infestation is needed.

Six mature non-lactating mares that had been palpated in foal were selected to be placed into a 13 acre pasture that has approximately 80% brush and tree cover. Horses pastured here in the past had had moderate to severe problems with ear ticks. A study was then conducted from April 2 to May 14, 2007 to determine if the MedZone Fly Stick was effective in preventing ear ticks from entering the ears.

After checking both ears of each mare for ticks, and removing any ticks found, each mare had the right ear treated with MedZone Fly Stick. The material was spread around the base of the ear and a small amount was applied to the inside of the ear. The left ear of each mare was untreated. Mares were then turned out in the pasture.

At seven day intervals, mares were examined for ear ticks. The number of ticks found to be attached were counted and removed. The right ear of each mare was again treated with MedZone Fly Stick, and mares were turned loose in the pasture.

Results from the six week study showed that all six mares had ear ticks found in the left (untreated) ear during the trial. The range of number of ticks found was 1 to 15, with a median of 3. Ticks were located in the untreated ear at each of the 6 examinations. Only one mare was found to have evidence of ticks in the treated ear. At the third examination, one attached tick was removed from this mare. Other non-attached ticks were observed moving around the inside of this mares treated ear, but they were close to the surface and did not appear to have fed. The following examination revealed no sign of ticks, attached or moving, in this mare’s treated ear.

This study indicates that the application of MedZone Fly Stick to the base and inside of a horse’s ears may serve as a repellent to ear tick infestation. Any horses placed in this pasture in the future will be treated.

While, I do not consider this trial to be a scientific research project, I am confident that the results do indicate that MedZone Fly Stick can be an effective method of at least reducing the infestation of horses with ear ticks.

Don R. Henneke, Ph.D.
Director of Equine Science
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

We have been using the fly spray products at the Tarleton Ag Center for the past three months.  In that time we have had over 15 inches of rain.  Flies and mosquitoes are overwhelming.  Ticks are abundant.  And animals are miserable.  Our experiences are summarized below.

Equine Center:  We have six dry mares in a heavily wooded pasture.  This pasture has always had a tick problem.  In early May we turned the mares into this pasture and put the MedZone VET Shield & Sheen® Stick around the base of one ear, and nothing on the other ear.  We have caught these mares once a week for the past 6 weeks and reapplied the stick.  The non-treated ears have yielded a minimum of 10 ticks per mare.  Only two mares have had ticks in the treated ears and that was only during one week of very heavy rain and we only recovered 2 ticks from one and four from another. 

We have also used the MedZone VET Shield & Sheen® Spray on horses kept up at the Arena Complex. Your product is amazing.  Flies are everywhere, except on the horses that have been sprayed.  Saddled horses don’t stomp and paw.  They are very comfortable.

At my home, I have been using the fly spray on my Australian Shepherd.  Last summer he was miserable from ticks and fleas even with the spot-on products and flea collar.  This summer he is much more comfortable and I have yet to find a tick attached to him.

Thanks for your product.  We are extremely pleased!.

Don Henneke, Ph.D.
Director, Equine Science