06/01/2026
🐴 Spinose Ear Ticks in Horses: What Every Owner Should Know
Have you noticed your horse becoming head shy, resistant to bridling, or shaking its head? One possible cause is the spinose ear tick (Otobius megnini), a parasite that lives deep inside the ear canal and can cause significant irritation and discomfort.
Clinical Signs
Horses with ear ticks may show:
✅ Head shaking
✅ Ear rubbing or scratching
✅ Sensitivity when touching the ears
✅ Difficulty bridling or handling the head
✅ Holding one ear lower than the other
✅ Resistance during training or riding
✅ Excessive wax, crusting, or debris in the ear canal
✅ Occasionally secondary ear infections
Many horses become progressively more defensive because the ticks can cause chronic inflammation and pain within the ear canal.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically made during a thorough ear examination. In some cases, sedation may be necessary to safely evaluate the ear canal and visualize the ticks hidden deep within the ear.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on:
🔹 Removing visible ticks and debris from the ear canal
🔹 Cleaning and flushing the ears when appropriate
🔹 Applying medications to kill remaining ticks
🔹 Treating any secondary inflammation or infection
Some horses require multiple treatments because immature ticks can remain hidden deep in the ear canal.
Prevention
✔️ Regularly inspect your horse’s ears
✔️ Address head shaking or ear sensitivity early
✔️ Control ticks in the environment when possible
✔️ Check new horses entering the herd
✔️ Schedule veterinary evaluation if your horse becomes suddenly head shy or difficult to bridle
