A three-year-old filly who was found severely underweight, suffering from a lice infestation and covered in hundreds of ticks is now thriving thanks to the team at World Horse Welfares Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre near Blackpool.Elouise, a 11.2hh piebald cob, was found on the edge of survival, alone and vulnerable on a fell in Northumberland by a World Horse Welfare field officer after concerns had been raised about her condition. As she had only recently appeared on the fell it is believed she had been abandoned.As well as being emaciated and suffering with lice and ticks, it was also discovered that Elouise was extremely malnourished and had liver issues. Following intensive veterinary care and considerable care and attention, Elouise has made a remarkable recovery and is a sweet and gentle pony.Elouise was covered in ticks when she arrived at World Horse Welfare.About ticksTicks are particularly common at this time of year and can be foundin wet environments, on grass or in low bushes. They are most often found between March and June and between August and November.Ticks are small arachnids (the same class as spiders) and they undergo four phases in their life cycle: egg, larvae, nymphs, and adult. The tick requires blood meals to develop between these phases, explained Dr Jessica May,customer success manager at PetsApp.Ticks can spread disease, usually in the nymph stage of their life cycle and, if female, before they lay their eggs. Tick larvae will also seek blood meals but will not transmit pathogens. It is these pathogens that poisons or irritates its host and can negatively affecthorse health.Ticks choose their host based in its size. Female ticks prefer larger animals like horses.Once the tick has attached itself to a host, it will feed, during which it might transmit pathogens. This can cause skin irritation, bacterial skin infections, and small abscesses. In severe cases, especially in ponies and foals, a tick may even cause anaemia, continued Jessica.Elouise on the road to recovery at World Horse Welfare.The average cost of caring for and rehoming a horse at World Horse Welfare is now more than 7,000 per horse per year. To donate to World Horse Welfare, click here.Images World Horse Welfare.Related contentHorse flies: active times plus tips for keeping them at bayOur pick of fly masks and veils for horsesBest fly rugs: tried and tested14 fly sprays tried and tested to find which work bestThe post Abandoned filly found covered in ticks makes remarkable recovery appeared first on Your Horse.