Ticks live by feeding off the blood of mammals, birds and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. They are carriers of a number of diseases including Lyme disease. They are blood-sucking parasites that are most often found in tall grasses and shrubs. There they patiently wait for a passing victim.
They can be found in most wooded areas, pastures or forested areas throughout the world. They are most common along deer trails or horse paths.
These monstrous little creatures along with mosquitoes and flies can cause horses to severely rub against anything they can find to rid themselves of these biting creatures. This can lead to mutilation of manes and tails. They can also lead to severe health problems for your horse.
| Common Name | Genus & Species | Physical Description
(Adult Ticks) | Range | Diseases Transmitted
& Conditions Caused |
| American Dog Tick | Dermacentor variabilis | Dark brown with creamy-gray markings behind head | Eastern 2/3 of U.S.; Pacific Northwest | Piroplasmosis (Babesiosis);
Spotted Fever, Tularemia |
| Brown Dog Tick | Rhipicephalus sanguineus | Uniformly brown; about half the size of wood ticks | Worldwide | Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (Ehrlichiosis) |
| Deer (or Black-Legged) Tick | Ixodes scapularis | Tear drop-shaped; the size of a poppy seed as adults | Eastern U.S. | Lyme disease, Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, Piroplasmosis |
| Gulf Coast Tick | Amblyomma maculatum | Oval with striped legs. Females: white collar behind head. Males: White striations throughout body | Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas; Kansas; Oklahoma | Heartwater, African Theileriases |
| Lone Star Tick | Amblyomma americanum | Rounded with striped legs. Females: pearly-white spot on back; Males: scattered white streaks on back. | Southeastern and South-Central U.S. | Lyme disease, Spotted Fever, Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis |
| Pacific Coast Tick | Dermacentor occidentalis | Light brown with a spotted white collar behind head | Pacific Ocean coastal areas | Colorado Tick Fever, Tick Paralysis |
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | Dermacentor andersoni | Tear-shaped, black body with brown and silver pattern collar behind head | Western U.S. | Rickettsia, Colorado Tick Fever, Tularemia, Tick Paralysis |
| Spinose Ear Tick | Otobius
megnini | Peanut-shaped and covered with small spines | Western U.S. | Causes intense irritation, rubbing, and hair loss |
| Tropical Horse Tick | Dermacentor nitens | Dark black body | Southern U.S. | Piroplasmosis |
| Western Black-Legged Tick | Ixodes
pacificus | Dark brown with a black collar behind the head | Western U.S. | Lyme disease, Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis |
| Winter (Moose) Tick | Dermacentor albipictus | Oblong oval shape, entirely brown body | Throughout U.S. | Emaciation, Anemia |
