Thanks for all the tips. My friend recommended bathing the horses with a little Dawn dish soap, and although I haven't gotten around to doing it on my horses, I did it to the family dog and I haven't seen a tick on her in several days (she used to have about 15 ticks on her each day).

Solaris: I've applied permethrin insecticide to my horses with hardly any results, and Equispot's active ingredient is permethrin. But I think I'll try it anyway (it would be worth it!) As for the guinea hens, we are hoping to get chickens at some point in time, so if we do, I'll make sure we get a few guinea hens....but my one question is, don't chicken feathers cause heaves in horses?

I have a really bad tick problem. I typically pull at least 30 ticks a day off of each horse (although one day I picked a total of 64 off a mare). I have tried natural fly sprays, Pyranha fly spray, insecticides (permethrin), garlic, and nothing seems to be working. I am going to try apple cider vinegar, but would be glad for any other suggestions.

[quote user="Solaris"]have you tried EquiSpot -- it's that Frontline like stuff for horses.[/quote] Does that stuff really work? I haven't tried it, and I'm afraid to because Farnam products just don't seem to work for me....like the natural fly spray that repelled the flies for one minute (and was supposed to last a whole day)! I am not able to mow my pastures right now. My horses pick up ticks just about everywhere--out on pasture, in the barn, when I ride them, etc.

I have been riding my horse in a loose ring snaffle and am preparing him for reining. Is it a rule that I have to ride in a curb bit? I would prefer not to (his mouth is really soft and I don't want to do any damage, as I haven't ever ridden in a curb bit). If so, what is the gentlest curb bit out there? Also, if I can use a snaffle, can I ride two-handed during competition? Thanks in advance!

I am just getting in to reining with my gelding, and I was wondering if chaps are a must in the show pen. I am hardly going to make it this year as it is, and I don't know if I can afford chaps. Will points be taken off for no chaps (or is it disrespectful to the judge)? Thanks in advance!!

I'm taking a cat to the vet today, so I'll also take pictures of the injury and ask him about it. All of her vital signs were normal, she's no longer lame, but her gaskin is still a little swollen, so we'll see.

One other tip: Keep your horse's neck very clean. If it's dirty, he'll be itchy, and trust me, he'll find something to itch it on--no matter how hard you try. I've heard of people washing their horse's necks with Listerine to get rid of the dirt and keep them from itching. I haven't ever tried it, but I probably will soon.

Thank you very much for your advice, FloridaH. I guess I was just lucky, and I will take your advice next time something like this happens.

I read How to be Your Own Veterinarian (sometimes) by Ruth B. James, DVM (a very excellent book that has saved me money several times), and found that my mare's cut had a surface infection which I can treat on my own. I cold hosed the leg, poulticed it, wiped away the pus and applied scarlet oil, and already there is no swelling in the mare's leg, she's no longer lame, and she's acting like her normal self. If this cut worsens even slightly, I will call my vet, but if it is getting