Ears continued
Republished with permission from Horse Sport
External Parasites and Insects
Ear mite or tick infestations can cause infection. Even if this condition
is cleared up, the mites can remain, causing further irritation and
infection and sometimes more serious damage such as permanent head
shyness or eventual deafness. Dewormers or special drops can help
rid the horse of these pests. Ear tenderness can last for many months
even with the eradication of the insects.
Blackfly (ear gnat) bites can be particularly painful and irritating.
These tiny insects extract blood from the surface inside the ear.
The resulting scabs and sores that develop from the blackfly's release
of secretions can be painful and sometimes cause allergic reactions.
Trimming the ear hair can help prevent further attacks as the absence
of blood, (which sticks to the hair) prevents the blackflies from
being attracted to the site. Ear protectors that attach to eye masks
can help or, for riding, crocheted ear covers. A light layer of a
petroleum-based jelly might be recommended by your vet or fly repellant.
(When applying fly spray, however, don't inadvertently get it into
the horse's eyes. A preferable method? Dab it on the ears with a cloth,
sponge or
cotton balls.)
Flies buzzing around the ears can be just as aggravating to horses
as they are to us. Fly bites can also cause inflammation. The fuzzy
growth of hair inside the pinna provides some natural protection from
this particular annoyance but the horse may still be bothered. As
with
blackflies, weapons of defense include ear covers, flyspray (this
can, however, irritate the sensitive skin inside the ear, so do a
test application in a small area first) and petroleum jelly.
Tumours (Sarcoids) & Aural Plaques
Generally visible, tumours of the ear are almost always benign, however,
a biopsy is recommended to determine whether they are malignant. The
cause of sarcoids is unknown. Most of the time sarcoids are best left
alone as they sometimes will reappear and spread not long after removal.
Malignant squamous cell carcinoma can sometimes be found in the ear
and occurs mainly on lighter-skinned horses. Both types of tumours
can be treated by methods such as freezing, burning, radiation and
chemotherapy agents.
Not a serious affliction, aural plaques are more of a bother to humans
than to horses who probably don't even know they're there. It is not
known what causes these whitish, raised bumps inside the ear but they
could be a reaction to fly bites.
Frostbite and Sunburn
Situated as they are on top of the head, ears can be vulnerable to
the effects of extreme temperatures and weather. Ear covers as well
as sunscreen on the ear tips in summer are helpful. In winter do not
trim ear hair as it helps insulate the thin skin of the pinna.
Wounds and Trauma
Bleeding from the ear is rare and usually is a sign of severe head
trauma such as a skull fracture. Settle the horse in a quiet place
and call the vet if this is suspected. Handle a wound or cut on the
ear the same way as you would one anywhere else on the horse's body.
The horse might require tranquilization or twitching during treatment,
however.
Infections
Ear canal infections are rare but if they do occur, they are often
related to an infection of the guttural pouch. Fungal infections of
the guttural pouch can cause pain near the ear and a discharge, among
other signs such as throat swelling, nasal discharge and neck stiffness.
Hearing Loss
Horses compensate well for lack of hearing so it is difficult to determine
the effect it may have.
Paralysis
A droopy ear can be a sign of facial paralysis - damage to the facial
nerve. Other signs include droopy eyelid and lips and incoordination.
Loss of Balance
Diseases or infections affecting the inner ear - particularly the
vestibular nerve - can cause difficulty in balancing as well as head
tilting.
Ear Care
The tufts of hair inside the ear help to prevent entry of dirt and
insects into the ear. It is best to leave the hair, particularly if
your horse is turned out. However, to level the inner hair to the
outer edges. For showing or other purposes, some horses require removal
of all the ear hair. In this case, ensure that the horse's ears are
protected from the elements and insects when outside.
Before undertaking trimming or clipping, insert cotton to prevent
the loose hair and dirt from entering the middle ear and possibly
causing infection. This also muffles sounds and minimizes the possibility
of the horse reacting to action around his ears.
Clean the inside of the pinna gently with a clean, dry towel or sponge
or groom carefully by using the edge of a soft brush and stroking
upward to remove dirt and dander.
Some horses though, whether because of ill treatment, an ear condition
or extreme sensitivity, are easily upset when it comes to their ears.
It can be a long, slow process in getting your horse to overcome head
shyness but to start the ball rolling, move slowly when working around
the face, gradually massaging your way toward the ears (this could
take days, even weeks to accomplish). Once you are able to touch the
ears, when putting on a bridle or halter, loosen it considerably to
slip it over the ears then tighten it up once it is on the head.
One method of restraint sometimes utilized is the ear twitch. This
involves grabbing the horse's ear with the hand and twisting it (gently)
to distract the horse's attention and encourage submission. If not
carried out correctly, ear twitching can be very painful, as the cartilage
in the ear is quite sensitive, and may cause headshyness. Some horses
may have extreme responses to an ear twitch due to previous experiences.
For these, nose twitches or tranquilizers may be a better option.
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