June 12, 2026: Summer Sores, Screw Worms, and a Quiet Week for Bee

This week’s Bee update is going to be a little shorter than usual.

Between our weekend trip to Fredericksburg, spending time with Kristin while she’s visiting from Dublin, and trying to soak up every minute we can with family, I only made it to the barn twice this week.

Fortunately, Bee seems perfectly content with that arrangement.

Sarah rode her on Tuesday and reported a really good ride. I climbed aboard Wednesday and was happy to discover that Bee was equally cooperative for me. As usual, she was a little more interested in “go” than “whoa,” but nothing we couldn’t work through. Overall, she was a very good girl.

Kristin also made her first trip out to Equine Obsession and received what I like to call the “ten-cent tour.” She finally got to meet the horse she hears so much about, see the facility, and get a glimpse into why I disappear to the barn so often. Like most non-horse people, I think she was mildly amused by the amount of effort, planning, equipment, and money required to keep one horse happy and healthy.

Speaking of keeping horses healthy, Bee decided to remind me this week that summer in Texas comes with its own set of challenges.

The Return of Summer Sores

While grooming Bee this week, I noticed a tiny summer sore forming on her lip. Thankfully, it was only a few millimeters in size, but I’ve learned enough over the past year to know that when it comes to summer sores, early intervention matters.

I immediately started treatment with dewormer and will be keeping a close eye on it.

If you’re new to horses, a summer sore isn’t actually a sore in the traditional sense. Summer sores occur when certain stomach worm larvae are deposited around wounds, moist areas, or sensitive tissue by flies. Instead of completing their normal life cycle inside the horse, the larvae trigger an intense inflammatory reaction in the skin.

The result can look like a small wound that simply refuses to heal.

Unfortunately, once a horse has had summer sores, they’re often more prone to developing them again in future years. It’s a little like your horse’s immune system remembering exactly how much it disliked the larvae the first time and deciding to overreact all over again.

Common places to find summer sores include:

• Lips and muzzle

• Eyes

• Legs

• Existing cuts or wounds

• Areas where flies tend to gather

The key is catching them early. Small summer sores are much easier to manage than large ones. Good fly control, prompt wound care, regular deworming protocols, and careful monitoring all help reduce the risk.

For now, Bee’s sore is tiny, and I’m hopeful we caught it before it becomes a bigger issue.

What Every Texas Horse Owner Should Know About Screw Worms

Another topic making the rounds in Texas horse circles lately is screw worms.

Despite the name, screw worms aren’t actually worms at all. They’re the larvae, or maggots, of the New World screwworm fly.

Unlike ordinary maggots, which typically feed on dead tissue, screw worms feed on living tissue. That’s what makes them so dangerous.

The larvae burrow deeper into wounds, creating extensive tissue damage and potentially causing serious infections if left untreated.

Recent detections in Mexico have horse owners, ranchers, veterinarians, and livestock officials paying close attention. While the United States successfully eradicated screw worms decades ago, ongoing monitoring and prevention efforts remain critical because reintroductions are always a concern.

The challenge is that screw worms don’t need a major injury to get started.

A small cut.

An insect bite.

A healing wound.

A scrape.

Any opening in the skin can potentially become a target.

Signs horse owners should watch for include:

• Wounds that don’t seem to heal normally

• Bloody or foul-smelling discharge

• Excessive irritation

• Swelling

• Visible larvae

• Horses rubbing, licking, or biting at a wound

If you ever suspect screw worms, call your veterinarian immediately. This isn’t something to watch and wait on.

Early intervention is critical.

Fortunately, the risk remains relatively low for most horse owners, but awareness is one of the best tools we have.

The Glamorous Life of Horse Ownership

It’s funny how quickly conversations around horses can change.

One minute you’re standing in front of a Porta-Cooler admiring how adorable your horse looks with her eyes closed and her mane blowing in the breeze.

The next minute you’re discussing parasites, fly larvae, wound management, and insect control.

Horse ownership keeps you humble.

It also keeps you learning.

Fortunately, Bee seems to be doing well. She had two good rides this week, enjoyed showing off her home to Kristin, and is currently far more concerned with locating the coolest breeze in the barn than any of the health topics I’ve covered above.

As for me, I’m enjoying family time while trying not to think about how quickly summer is flying by.

Until next week, stay cool, check your horses carefully, and remember that sometimes the smallest things are worth catching early.